Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-18
DESTRUCTIVE RIOTS.
Effect Of The Street. Railway Strike In
Philadelphia.
THREE HUNDRED Cars WRECKED.
One Man, n Policeman, Benten Into
InscnstbiIity-AIm All Rolling
stock Withdrawn-EnOrt to Opc-
rate to be Made To-Day.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, December H.
Riot and destruction marked the opening
day Of the great strike OF the street-car
employees of the Union Traction Com
pany. Aided by the mischievcus, lawless
element. the strikers succeeded to-day in
completely tieing up the lines OF the
Union Traction Company. and tonight
with the exception Of the one line not
controlled by the company involved in the
strike. not a street-car wheel is turning
in Philadelphia.
Never in the history Of the city has
there been witnessed such widespread
scenes of disorder as were enacted to-
night: To the credit OF the strikers 1t
may be said that the disorders were Gre
ated by too-ardent sympathizers and mis-
chievous boys. In every part Of the city
these crowds OF sympathizers and boys
held up cars, and drove the motormen
and conductors from their posts with vol
leys Of bricks and stones. and then smash
ed the glass in the windows Of the cars
cut the trolley-rOpes. pulled cut the
fuses. smashed in the cash-registers, and
tore off the tenders in front of the cars.
In all about three hundred cars were
badly wrecked. and this afternoon the
traction company gave up the effort TO
run cars. and with the aid of the police
withdrew their shattered and abandoned
rolling stock back into the car-sheds.
This afternoon the Mayor issued a proc
lamatiOn calling upon all good citizens 10
preserve the peace. and asking them to
refrain from gathering in crowds on the
streets. lie further added that violence
and riot would be met with force, and
that the peace Of the city would be pre-
served at all hazards.
While the crowds to-day attacked the
cars, the spirit OF the mob seemed to be
one of malicious mischief more than the
threatening temper that marks a real riot.
POLICE SURPRISED.
The suddenness Of the numerous out
breaks seemed 10 take the police by sur
prise. and for a time the cars were wreck
ed with impunty in the very heart OF the
retail shopping district. Then the resolve
patrolmen Were massed al every threat
ened point, and tonight every policeman
in the city H. on duty
The company made no attempt to run
cars tonight but under police protection
they will start the Market-Street branch
of their line tomorrow and trouble IS
sure 10 follow.
Despite the stone-throwing, only one
person was seriously hurt-JOhn Ripley,
a policeman, VINO had hts club taken away
from him by the crowd. and was beaten
into insens bility. and tonight Is in the
hospital. with conclusion Of the brain.
The police made about 100 arrests. and
all the rioters were held In heavy bail.
The principal streets are tnrongad with
people tonight. but there is no Likelihood
of there being any trouble.
President John l.. Welsh o. the Union
Traction Company was In consultation
with Mayor Warwick all day. and the
/ Mayor has promised him ample protection
from the police 10 operate the cars to-
morrow.
Numerous meetings OF the strikers are
being held tonight, and they claim that
by tomorrow all the mOtOrmen and con-
ductors who stili remain In will 60 out.
II is rumOred tonight that the cleo
tricians and pOwer-housa men OF the COM
pany vii. strike In sympathy tomorrow.
This report cannot be- confirmed.
A wise action Of Mayor Warwick's was
his tonight requesting all the saloons In
the city 10 close The majority OF them
complied with the request, and much
drunkenness. and probably consequent
violence We're undoubtedly prevented.