The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-12-18

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. H,-philadel-
phla is all but at the mercy OF gang of
hoodlums and the Traction strike is not
yet twcnty-four hours old. Tonight
not street car of the Union Traction
Company is running and that company
controls every line in the city with tho
exception OF two comparatively short
cross.town lines,
The police were absolutely unable to
control the mob violence OF to-day.
From early morning until dusk, as each
branch line made desperate efforts to
start, bowling mobs surrounded each
car, stoned and hooted the motorman
and conductor, smashed the windows,
cut the trolley ropes and wrcnked all
possible destruction. Then the attempt
was abandoned. The strikers took lit
tie, II any part in the work Of destruc-
tlon. This waH In the hands OF the row.
dy element. Many persons were IN
jured by flying missiles and there Is fear
that when complete reports have been
received they win include fatalities, ana
thousands OF dollars worth OF valuable
property was destroyed. Compared TO
the events OF the day the streets here
tonight are quiet, although filled with
surging crowds.
Five hundred policemen were sworn
in by Mayor Warwick tonight aud
these with the regular force OF 2,lOO,
will make an attempt TO quell the riot
ers Tomorrow. They have orders from
Mayor Warwick to carry their bhtons
sheathed. Should this fail the cover
nor will be appealed 10 to order out the
militia. The city's executive declared
tonight I'm unmistnkable terms that the
strike Is no longer contest between n
railway company and Its employees but
battle between the city and violence
and the city will win II II takes the
United States army.
Grave situation.
The situation Ia the gravest the city
has ever been called upon to encounter.
Tonight the stan officers Of the Ma
tlonal Ghard OF Pennsylvania, arc in
their armorles uniformed and armed In
case Of need. Three proclamntlonB
were issued by Mayor Warwick this nj,
ternoon First he appealed TO all good
citizens TO assist the authorities In
maintaining order and to that END 70
refruin nom gathering on the streets
u.
ing OF ali liquor saloons and thirdly he
asked ali women and children TO stay at
home.
The war itself remains unchanged.
The Traction leaders refuse TO listen TO
nny suggestion from the other side, and
indeed no effort Is being made In that
direction. The strikers are nrm ana
determined 10 fight II TO the bitter end.
Three mnss.mcctings were held to-
night in various parts OF the city. They
hnye almost universal sympathy-nOt
only from conservative citizens who.
while deprccatlng violence, declare
that the strikers have right on their
Hide-hut from labor unions through
out the country.
]. j. Sullivan, president OF the Elec-
trlc Traction, one OF the branch lines,
was recognized by mob Mt Fourth ana
Market streets this afternoon and the
clothes were almost torn from his back
before policemen rescued him.
city ItrspOnsiblc.
Separate letters were sent to the
mayor this afternoon by Mr.. Welsh, Mr..
Sullivan and william II. shelmcrdInc,
president OF the Peoples line. declaring
that the city and county will be held re-
HQOnBlDle IOT lnt Nhlut VI NHN fANfN'y
destroyed to-day,
President W. D. MGhop, OF the Ma.
tlonnl Annlgamnted Association OF
street Railway Employees, who 10 con-
trolling the strike. made n statement
10 the public tonight. lie declared
that the strikers We're In no way, TO
blame for to.dny'H disturbances; that
the disorder and destruction to prop
crty was the work of perfons not con-
noctcd with them. The commltte de-
cldcd nlso to again caution the men
nyninst violence and to request them
10 use their best cndeavors to protect
the company's property. Tho company
he added, was alone responsible Tor the
trouble by refusing TO listen either to
the employees or the citizens commit
tee.
Ii is impossible to learn tonight
whether or not nm attempt 10 start amy
ears will be made tomorrow.
on the dozen dlVlslons OF the com
pnny to-day, an aggregate Of about
iifty.slx cars were started out, The toe
tai number IN the service Of the COM
pnny is $500.