The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-19
QUAKER CITY TROLLEY war
Union Traction Company Unable to
Move Their Cars.
THE MOBS GROW MORE ACTIVE
Under Protection Of Police the Street
Car Company Cannot Accommodate
the Public Police Battle with
the Mob on Market Street.

nevertheless, there We're many violent
scenes enacted and the Union Traction
company only Succeeded in running a
few cars on the various lines at long
intervals under heavy guard of police
ment. Before dusk the company with
drew what few cars 1t had out and
again tonight they are not turning a
wheel. and thousands Of people We're
again put to the inconvenience of walk
ing miles to their homes. The police
authorities claim to be fully able to
cope with the strike. but, nevertheless
every preparation has been made to
call out the militia While the riotirg
tCday was not so extensive as yester-
day there was an ugly spirit visible
in the crowds on the streets, and it was
noticeable that there were more men
collected than boys.
President Welsh, of the Traction
company, could not be found tonight,
but director of the company stated
in unequivocal terms that no compro-
mise with the strikers would be made.
The saloons closed again tonight at the
request of the mayor. and, as no cars
were running, the streets were gen.
orally quiet. the only point where there
seemed to be a likelihood of disturbance
being at the car sheds at Kensington
avenue and Cumberland street, where
threatening crowd gathered for
awhile
Cars Carried Policemen.
The company started out a car on
nearly every one of its lines at O'Clock
this morning. From to policemen
wera atinpal upop tho A. 80
these cars. AS the cars went out Of the
sheds the crowds hooted and jeered at
the motormen and conductors, but Of
fered no resistance to their progress.
The first car sent out went over the
route without molestation. AS much OF
the trouble yesterday occurred on Mar
ket and Chestnut streets, the cars which
were started ou. on these lines, in ad-
dition to being protected by police on
the platforms, We're surrounded by
guard of mounted policemen. AS the
day progressed the desperate element
that every great city contains and
which only comes visibly to the surface
in times Of disturbance. was especially
noticeable. Market street and the court
yard of the city hall were occupied at
intervals by strong detachments OF
mounted police. In addition to the reg.
ular force, 376 special officers were
sworn in.
Despite the display Of force cars were
not run oftener than an hour apart on
any or the lines and in some cases only
single car went over the route.
Calv Crowds ut KcnsinstOn.
In Kensington the crowds gave evil
6anca nf tul, 20,
blocked with. all kinds of obstructions
ana frequently when the police would
leave the car to remove these obstruc
tions the mob would make an assault
upon the car and break the windows
and beat the conductor and motorman.
The police had orders to show no mercy
to the mob and they clubbed them with
free hand whenever they came in
conflict with them. One of the most ex-
citing incidents of the day occurred on
Market street
About $3.50 in the afternoon a car was
crawling west on Market street. Eight
policemen were on the car and q detail
OF mounted officers rode ahead and be-
hind. The drivers of the numerous
drays and heavy wagons on Market
street are heartily in sympathy with
the strikers. and they did everything
in their power by getting on the track
to impede the progress Of the car. This
gave time for the crowd to collect. At
Ninth street the mob surged out into
the street and surrounded the car. The
officers opened up a passage with their
horses as well as they could. 1t was
slow work. however, and finally one of
the crowd bolder than the rest. cast Il
stone. 1t went through the window of
the car and was followed by shower
Of stones and clubs. The officers
charged into the mob and drove them
back. riding upon the pavements and
forcing hundreds of women and spec.
tators to take refuge in stores.
Fighting Blood Aroused.
The fighting blood of the crowd was
aroused, however, and 1t clung tenaci-
ously behind the car. At Twelfth street
1t closed In again, and pressed so heav-
lily upon the policemen that two of
them drew their revolvers and fired into
| the air This frightened the crowd and
1t fell back. But 1t soon recovered its
courage and from Twelfth to Sixteenth
up around the public buildings was a
running fight between the police and
the mob. At Sixteenth street the crowd
grew weary of the chase and fell away.
| The strikers today attempted to inau-
| gurate parade, and about 200 of them
marched down from Eighth and Callow-
hill streets, where their headquarters
are located, to Market street and out
that street Just opposite the public
| buildings they met a squad Of mounted
| officers, who charged into their midst
| and dispersed them.
This evening while q mail car was
| approaching the car shed at Kensington
avenue and Cumberland street 1t was
set upon by mob and almost COM
| pletely wrecked. Here, for the first
time. the crack of pistol was heard
| in the crowd, but no one was shot. The
attack upon the mail car drew a great
crowd around the car shed, and for n
time things bore serious aspect. Open
threats were made to burn the shed,
| and the police had their hands full in
keeping the crowd within bonds.
About 200 clergymen held a meetine
this afternoon and appointed a COM
mittee to endeavor to persuade both
sides to arbitrate their differences. The
Christian League is also making strenu-
Gus efforts In the same direction.
New Men Persuaded to Leave
The company brought a number of
men here today from Baltimore. but the
strikers mx them at the station and
persuaded them to return home.
The electricians and power house men
Of the company are holding meeting
tonight and they may also strike IN