The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-17
ALL TIED UP.
Railway Officials Refused to Accede to
Employees Demands.
ALL OUT WORK THIS MORNING.
Determined Labor War Waging
at Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 17.--At o'clock
this morning the street car. lines Of this
city were tied up In general strike. Tlv>
conductors and motormen are waging war
for an increase of wages, shorter hours
and the privilege OF belonging to tho
Amalgamnted Association OF Street Kali
way Employees.
Dissatisf action has been growing for
long time, but reached high pitch imme.
diately after the recent consolidation OF
all the local lines into one company--the
Union Traction. The action was pre-
cipltated by the numerous discharges
from the sompany's service OF men be-
longing To the Amalgamatcd association.
Many conferences have been sought 10y
the various committees representing the
railway mon, but all have been rejected
by President Welsh and the company's
board Of directors.
A few days ago w. ID. Mahon OF De-
troit. president Of the national organiza
tion, appeared In this city and took charge
of the affairs OF the malcontents "A crisis
was reached yesterday. At meeting
held in the morning committee OF one
was appointed To convey an ultimatuin to
President Welsh. He did so, and returned
with information given by the president
himself that there would be no answer
and that no person connected with any
labor organization would be recognized,
This report was received last night at 6
meeting of tho committee having charge OF
the railway mems affairs.
II was finally declared that general
strike on all lines OF the company, which
controls every ear In the city, would be
inaugurated. President Mahon said that
the association numbers close 10 1900 men,
and with the others over G000 men stopped
work at the appointed hour.
Early In the day IL had been decided ia
hold monster mass meeting, 10 last all
night, at Harmonic hall. Immediately
after the strike had been declared, thu
men repaired 10 that place as the bia
meeting was about TO bc called TO order
"A citizens committee, headed by ex-Gov
ernor Pattison and Thomas Martindale,
appeared, and asked for private confer
ence The general impression Is that they
meant to induce the men not to strike
This was grant =, and the leaders retired
Moderation Counsciied.
During the evening President Mahor
addressed the men In an informal manner
He spoke as II the strike was an assured
fact First he cautioned, In the event Of
the tlc-up, 10 act like gentlemen through
out. Then he begged them TO keep away
from the rum shops" and added: I'll
we win, I'll drink enough for the whole
crowd after it's over"
The demands OF the men In details ARE
these:
First-Thst 10 consecutive hours shall
constitute days work, for which tho sum
Of g. shall be raid.
Second-That MI cars shall be yestibuled
for the protection Of motorinen.
Third--That sweepers, snow plows ant
trippers shall be considered as specia
work, and shall be subject To increased
pay
Fourth-That no employees shall be dis
charged for belonging To the amalgamated
OF any other organization, except for just
cause. That all men discharged by reason
of their affliation with said prgani zation
shall be Immediately reinstated.
shortly Hfrcr III o'clock the conference
was over President Mahon, stepping for.
ward, announced to tho waiting street
railway men the decision of their com.
mittee, and asked them TO ratify it by
standing up. The crowd arose rs one
man, and gave vent TO a shout of accord
The greatest enthusiasm prevailed. Mr.
Mahon then proceeded to counsel them a.
10 their future actions. He spoke Ions
and earnestly, and appealed 10 them, a.
they valued success, TO be firm, and above
everything else, to aSt like gentlemen and
discountcnance anything In the shape OF
disorder.
He then for tho second time asked the
men TO ratify the committees action
The enthusiasm that followed clearly in
dicated that the men were most earnest