The herald., 1896-12-25
IN THE FIELD OF LABOR
Boston Electric Car Men Knock
Off Work
ALL STREET CARS STOPPED
But the Steam Liues Took Care Of the
Travellers
The Matter Settled Inside of Twelve
Hours-Carnegie's Ironworkers'
Merry Christmas

BOSTON, Dec. 24.-In spite of the Of
and Conductors union of the West End
Street railroad that the proposed strike
over the alleged non-recognition of the
union would be deferred till December
25th, many employees left the cars this
morning at 10 o'clock. The service was
seriously crippled. At 10 o'clock the strike
Of all cares was on on the streets of Bos-
ton, except those of the Washington
street lines and South Boston division
Men Of other lines stopped work on being
told of the situation. The West End
Street railway operates the car lines
throughout the entire city proper, South
Boston. Dorchester, East Boston, Bridge
ton, Cambridge, portions OF Newton,
Maiden, Everett, Medford, and the en-
tire Roxbury end Of Charlestown dis
tricts.
The next strikers were the men from
Everett, Newton and Roxbury, the ex-
ecutive committee seeing the disposi-
ton of the men, prevailed upon them
not to desert their cars until noon in
order that the committee could see Pres
IL
conference committee that waited upon
Mr.. Little waited for him for two hours
but President Little maintained that his
signature to the agreement would be
worthless unless it was authorized by
the executive committee Of the board of
directors. At noon the order to strike
went into effect and after an hour the
only cars running were those Of the
South Boston and Grave Hill roads.
Committees nf Tho SHyilxavS uora cant
to headquarters to call out the men as
fast as they came to the stations 1t was
estimated that $500 men were out at
1880 o'clock this afternoon. The foreman
firemen at the power houses will take
action tonight. AS soon as it became
known that a strike was really on, the
New York, New Haven and Hartford
railroad put in fifteen minute time
table on all its suburban lines, out of the
park square. The other steam roads
quickly followed the New Haven road
and put on quick service to all suburban
points.
The West End officials say they have
done everything in their power to pre-
vent a strike. They have never re-
fused to sign the agreement presented
by The union. they say, but distinctly
the matter would be pres~nted to the
West End directors if they would only
give them time to do it.
A SUDDEN SOLUTION.
The great strike on the West End
street railway has been officially de-
clared off. This action came like bomb
shell at 1880 this (Friday) morning.
But it remains to be seen, when day.
light comes. whether this second act
of the supreme council will be needed.
The following is the statement made
by the supreme council to the public, ex-
planning its position:
To the Public: The supreme council
was given power to negotiate for an
agreement with the managers of the
West End road. The council performed
its duty. and in doing so found the pres
ident lacking In authority to make any
settlement without consulting his board
of directors. He asked for further time
which was granted. The men repudiated
this act, and we, as honorable men. had
to do one of two things-sanction the re-
pudiaton of the men and thus violate
our agreement with the president or re-
fuse to be a silent party to the continu-
ance of the strike
We chose the latter. and will keep our
agreement with President Little at all
hazards.