The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-05-04
All Electric Car Men Strike at
Milwaukee.
About a Thousand Men Quit
Work.
COOKS IN THE BARNS
Prepare Food fer the New Men
Shipped In.
Electric Light Men Likely to Go
Out.

Milwaukee, Wis, May "A strike OF
the 900 employees of the Milwaukee
Electric Railway and Light company
was inaugurated last night, and, as
each car was run into the barn, motor
man and conductor left it not TO re-
turn until the demands of the union for
increased pay, recognition of the en-
plOyes' organization and several minor
concessions are granted.
The Electric Railway company has
seen that a strike was to occur and has
been quietly arranging to I'LL the SLrlk-
erS' places. A number of men have
been brought here from other cities to
take the places of the strikers, and are
quartered in the several barns.
The strike was determined on at mid
night last night at a mass meeting of
the members of the union, when it was
learned by the officers of the union
that men from other cities We're being
imported and that the company was
preparing to imme ediately fill the places
of the old employees.
Cooks arrived from Chicago last night
and were at once taken to the car barns
where arrangements had been made to
feed the new men, who will stop in the
barns as long as they are in danger of
violence. Similar arrangements will be
made at the power house on River
street. Special policemen have been
sworn in, some of whom will be sta
toned at the barns and power houses,
and others viii be placed on the cars to
protect the new men.
The strike viii tie up the entire cleo
trio street railway service of the city.
The several lines are owned by the one
company, and every emplOye of the
road is a member of the union. In addi-
ton to the street railway employees the
electric light employees are involved.
They number 800 men and operate the
only electric lighting plant in the city
Unless the company is prepared to man
the power house the city viii be with
out light tonight, except for gas
That serious trouble is expected is
evidenced by the activity at police head
quarters and the sherin's office One
hundred special policemen had been
sworn in and more viii go on duty
The sheriff win have a large force of
/ special deputies on duty. He has also
/ taken steps to confer with the govern or
/ fourth regiment w n. G. under arms.
! Troops win not be called out however.
1 unless the local authorities find them
I selves unable to protect the property of
! the railway company.
/ Between 900 and L. 600 men are involved
/ in the strike. They have been organ
/ lied into companies which are stationed
\ at the car houses and power houses and
/ the captain of each company is in con
/ slant communication with the head
/ quarters of the strikers.
{ President MahOn of the Amalgamated
| association of street car employees, an
/ nOunces that he viii issue a card to the
/ public this afternoon.
Only half a dozen street cars were
/ running in Milwaukee this morning AT
/ o'clock the employees of the power
house held meeting and voted not to
/ join the strike. A large force Of po-
lice is guarding the power houses
! barns and tracks.
At noon today notice was posted in
/ all barns and at headquarters warning
mOtormen and conductors that they
would be discharged from the service
if they did not report for duty within
twenty-four hours. The railway com
pany has served formal notice on the
mayor that it viii hold the city liable
for all damage to its property.