Evening star., 1896-01-03
LATE NEWS. BY WIRE
It is Thought the Philadelphia
Strike Will Be a Fizzle.
FHE MEN DIVIDED IN OPINION
There Has Been No Demonstration
of Violence.
AN EXCITED MASS MEETING

PHILADELPHIA, January 3.-Many of
the conductors and motormen employed by
the Union Traction Company obeyed the
orders to strike issued at big mass meet
ing shortly before o'clock this morning.
and declined to take out their cars today.
For a while several divisions were tied up.
hut an order issued by Acting Chairman
Thompson of the employees committee stat
ing that the strike was not official. directing
men to return to work and give the commit
tee time to adjust the differences with the
company had the effect of causing a partial
resumption of traffic.
Many OF the men, however, who obeyed
the order to strike found their places taken
by other men when they returned to work.
An Excited Meeting.
The determination to strike second time
came as the climax to one of the most tur-
bulent scenes ever witnessed at a gather
ing in this city. The men were divided In
sentiment although those favoring strike
were in the majority. The meeting was
addressed by agitators urging strike. and
by others counseling. moderation and pa
tience.
Hiram Lutz, discharged motorman, who
has grievance against the company, was
chairman. He strongly favored a strike,
and finally, at / As this morning, after
IfdnH 0OurS OF excitement, DrOuSQt mat
ters to focus by putting the question.
The ayes were in the majority, and those
present rushed away to spread the news.
After the strike had been declared, Presi-
dent Mahon of the Amalgamated Associa-
tion of Street Railway Employees, who
strongly opposed the strike, at the urgent
request Of the cooler heads, made a brief
address. He said he regretted the action
of the men in ordering a strike under such
exciting conditions Only one week ago,
he said, they had the sympathy of the peo-
pie but the results of the meeting would
be the means of losing 1T.
The strike, he continued, was directly in
opposition to the constitution of the Anal
Samated Association, and those who par
ticipated in 1t could not expect to have the
financial support and sympathy of that Or
ganization.
Your better Judgment exercised at a
period not under the present excitement,
will tell you.'' said he, leach and every
one to return to your labors this morning.
and if you do this you will retain the good
will of the general public. and in the end
all the grievances of which you complain
will be remedied to your entire satisfac-
tion.''-
p. ]. Mcclure of the American Fedora
ton of Labor spoke in the same strain.
General Manager Reetem Of the Union
Office. received by telephone the message
that "the strike was on within a few
minutes after the vote had been taken.
He declared that the result was the de-
III
he did not anticipate any such trouble as
p followed the first tie-up.
All Police on Duty.
Mayer Warwick and the city officials
kept the entire police force on duty all
night In anticipation of trouble. The court
yard of the city hall was filled with mount
ed men ready to go to any part of the city
at a moments notice. and big reserve
forces were on guard at all of the station
houses.
= The mayor declared this morning that
violence would be suppressed, no matter
what the consequence, and the feeling Is
general that the authorities will act in a
most decisive manner should the occasion
arise.
Public sympathy, which was with the
men during the former strike, has under
gone decided change, and old employees
are now being urged by their friends to
remain at work. Each street intersection
On Chestnut Market, Broad and other
principal streets was guarded by three or
four policemen, and some of the cars were
similarly protected, but this precaution
seemed unnecessary, as everything was
quiet.
A notice signed by General Manager
Beetem was posted at all of the depots to-
turn to work by 3 o'clock this afternoon
they will be discharged ard not reinstated
under any circumstances.
The regular employees are gathered at the
depots Of branches which remain tied UP,
and announce their Willingness to take out
their cars IL they can be guaranteed pro-
lection. There has been no violence, but
gangs of hoodiums gathered at the street
corners and hooted at the men at work,
ihtimidating many into turning in their
cars, pending general resumption.
The opinion is general tLat the strike Is
a fzzle.
INDIANAPOLIS, January 3-samuei
Gompers. president of the American Fet1era-
ton of Labor, left this morning for Phila-
delphia- 1t Is understood he has been sum-
moned there by the strike situation.