The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-17
Higher Wages, Fewer Hours Work
Union Among Their Demands.
10000 TOILERS LOCKED OUT
STRUGGLE BETWEEN EMPLOYERS
AND wORKMEN IN THREE CITIES.
Cincinnati Chosen ~ the Next Meet
ing Place OF the Federation OF Labor
No Change I'm Headquarters.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 16.-At o'clock
tomorrow morning the street-car lines Of
this city will be tied up in a general strike.
That step was decided on late tonight.
The conductors and motormen are waging
war for an increase Of wages, fewer hours.
and the privilege of belonging to the Anal
gamated Association OF Street-railway EN-
ployes. Dissatisfaction has been growing
for long time, but reached a high pitch
Immediately after the recent consolidation
OF all the local lines into one company
the Union Traction. Then action was pre-
cipitated by the numerous discharges from
the companys service OF men belonging
to the Amalgamated Association. Many
conferences have been sought by the various
committees representing the railway men.
but all have been rejected by President
Welsh and the company'S board Of direc-
tors. A few days ago w. d. Manon, of
Detroit, president of the national organiza-
ton, appeared in this city and took charge
of the affairs of the malcontents. A crisis
was reached to-day. At meeting held this
morning committee of one was appointed
TO convey an ultimatum to President Welsh.
He did so and returned with the informa-
ton given by the president himself that
there would be no answer and that no
person connected with any labor organiza-
ton would be recognized. This report was
received tonight at meeting of the COM
mittee having charge OF the railway mems
affairs Meanwhile, a number Of subcom-
mittees who had been polling the street.
car lines, made their report. According to
these, the sentiment Of the motormer and
conductors was almost unanimously I'm
favor of a strike. After long and earnest
discussion, 1t was finally declared that
general strike on all the lines OF the COM
pany, which controls every car in the city,
would be inaugurated either at very late
hour tonight or the first thing In the morn
Ing, when the first day cars start out.
President Manon said he was confident that
nearly all the men employed would go out
irrespective of whether they are members
Of the Amalgamated Association or not.
He said that the association numbers close
to 1850 men and, with the others, over six
thousand men would stop work at the ap-
pointed hour.
Early in the day it had been decided to
hold monster mass meeting, to last all
night. at Harmonic Hail. Eleventh and
Spring Garden streets. Immediately after
the strike had been declared the men re-
paired to tnat place. AS the big meeting
was about to be called to order a citizens
committee, headed by Ex-Governor Pattison
and Thomas Martindale, appeared and
asked for a private conference. The gen.
eral impression was that they meant to in
duce the men not to strike. This was
granted and the leaders retired. When this
move was taken Ii was In the neighborhood
OF = O'Clock. At IL o'clock they were still
nestness, Tor their voices could be heard in
nigh tones in the body, of the hall: While
and crowds OF uniformed Conductors and
motormen stood in groups discussing the
situation. 1t was noticeable fact that
their demeanor was one of enthusiasm
THE PRESIDENTS ADVICE
During the evening President Manon ad-
dressed the men in an informal manner.
He spoke as if the strike was an assured
fact. First. he cautioned them, in the event
of a tie-up to act like gentlemen through
out. Then he begged them to keep away
from the rum shops.'' adding: 'If we win
I'll drink enough for the whole crowd after
it's all over"
Tonight the following appeal was issued
by the railway men to the people of Phila-
delphia:
..The Union Traction Company of Phila-
delphia has repeatedly refused an interview
TO the committee OF railway employees for
the purpose OF arbitrating pending difficult
TIES, thereby placing themselves in a posi-
ton 10 adopt other measures to bring about
conference. Much as we desire to avoid
anytning that might prove of great incon-
venience TO the public in general, we find
the only alternative is to take up the
gauntlet they have thrown down. They are
daily discharging our men for belonging to
an association formed for their benefit and
protection and We now appeal to you for
continuance of your sympathy and assist
ance and TO pardon US should any incon-
venience result through the line of policy
we have adopted
The demands Of the men in detail are:
ost,s. Mst.Inat ten consecutive hours shall
thirty minutes for meals, and for which the
sum of s. shall be paid '''o
"sscond-That all cars shall be vestibuled
Tor the protection of motormen; said wor),
TO be done within reasonable time.
ThirdCThat sweepers, snow ploughs and
Irippers snaii be considered as special work,
and shall be subject to increased pay
"Fourth-That no employe shall be dis.
charged for belonging to this (the ANAL
gamated or any other organization, except
for just cause; that ali men discharged by
reason of their affiliation with said organ-
ization shall be Immediately reinstated."
shortly after II o'clock the conference
| forward, announced to the waiting street.
| railway men the decision of their commit,
tee and asked them to ratify it by standing
| up. The crowd arose as one man and gave
| vent to shout of accord. The creates,
| enthusiasm prevailed Mr. Mahon then pro,
ceeded to counsel them as to their future
| actions. He spoke long and earnestly, ana
! appealed TO them, as they valued success.
| to be firm, and, above everything else. to
act like gentlemen and TO discountenance
| anything In the shape o. disorder He said: :
| mo one Is more sorry than l that this
strike will occur. Let US fight it to a finish
and accept nothing but what we have de-
manded." He then for the second time
asked the men to ratify the committee' >
| action. The enthusiasm that followed clear
| ~ indicated that the men were most earnest
| in their purpose to quit work at O'Clock
and rest their success on the future The
| meeting then broke up, the men repairing
| to the various parts of the city, where
/ their late comrades gathered. The strikers.
| committee then went into executive session.