The San Francisco call., 1895-12-19
Distractions Heaped Upon the
Tracks and the Motormen
AsSailed.
DISPLAY AN UGLY TEMPER.
The Militia May Be Called Out
to Quell the Riotous
Crowds.


second day of the great railway strike was
comparatively quiet in contrast to the
violent outbursts of yesterday. but, never
theless. there were many violent scenes
enacted, and the Union Traction Com
pany succeeded in running few cars
only on the various lines, at long intervals,
under heavy guard of policemen. Be-
fore dusk the company withdrew what
few cars it had out, and again tonight
they are not turning a wheel, and thou
sands of people were again put to the in
convenience of walking miles to their
homes.
The police authorities claim to be fully
able to cope with the strike, but, never
theless, every preparation has been made
to call out the militia in the event of the
mob getting beyond the control of the city
authorities.
While the rloting to-day was not SO ex-
tensive as yesterday, there was an ugly
spirit visible in the crowds in the streets.
and it was noticeable that there were more
men collected than boys. There are
rumors that the traction company will
consent to some adjustment of the strike,
but these cannot be verified, and probably
are incorrect. President Welsh of the
traction company could not be found to-
night, but a director of the company
stated in unequivocal terms that no COM
promise 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 generally quiet,
the only point where there seemed to be
likelihood of disturbance being at the car
sheds at Kensington avenue and Cumber-
land street, where threatening crowd
gathered for a while.
Despite the display of force, cars were
not run oftener than an hour apart on any
of the lines. and in some cases only single
car went over the route.
In Kensington the crowds gave evidence
of an ugly temper. The tracks were blocked
with all kinds of distractions, and fire.
quently when the police would leave the
car to remove these distractions 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
dubbed them with free hand whenever
they came in conflict with them.
The same scenes were repeated in the
northwestern section of the city and the
southern section. At Fifth and Moore
streets the mob was especially active.
From building in course of construction
near by Belgian blocks were secured and
the tracks for two solid blocks were piled
two feet high with these stones. An ice
wagon happening by the crowd set upon it
and added its load as a further obstruction
to the cars.
One of the exciting incidents of the day
oc Cured on Market street. About $3.50
o'clock in the afternoon a car was crawling
slowly westwar on Market street. Eight
policemen were on the car and detail of
mounted officers rode ahead and behind it.
The drivers of the numerous drays and
heavy wagons on Market street are in SYM
pathy 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 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 stone. 1t went
through the window of the car and was
followed by a shower of stones and clubs.
The officers charged into the mob and
drove it back, riding upon the pavement
and forcing hundreds of women and spec
tators to take refuge in stores. The fight
ing blood of the crowd was aroused, how
ever, and 1t clung tenaciously behind the
car. At Twelfth street it closed in again
and pressed so heavily upon the police
men that two of them drew their revolvers
and fired into the air.
This frightened the crowd and it fell
back. But it soon recovered its courage,
and from Twelfth to Sixteenth street, up
around the public buildings, was run
ming fight between the police and the mob
At Sixteenth street the crowd grew weary
of the chase and fell away.
The strikers to-day attempted to inaugu-
rate a 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. AS soon as the Mayor heard of this
parading he issued an order prohibiting
such demonstrations, and the strike lead
ers promised that no more parades should
take place.
This evening, while mailcar was ap-
preaching the carshed at Kensington
avenue and Cumberland street, it was set
upon by a mob and almost completely
wrecked. Here, for the first time, the
crack of a pistol was heard in the crowd,
but no one was shot. The attack upon the
mailcar drew great crowd around the
carshed, and for time things bore a
serious aspect. Open threats to burn the
shed were made, and the police had their
hands full in keeping the crowd within
bounds. Later, however, the mob melted
away and the danger passed for the night
Since last night Mayor Warwick and
Director of Public Safety Bietler have not
left their offices in the City Hall. They
are sleeping and eating there, and are in
constant communication with all parts of
the city.
About 200 clergymen held meeting this
afternoon ond ppointod q CON, mi tfoo tr an