The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-26
Boston Street Car Strike
Proved a Failure.
Many Old Employees Applied
for Reinstatement.
Some OF Those Prominent as Agita-
tors Refused Places.

Boston. Dec. 2s.-The West End strike.
declared off by the supreme council Of
the Motormen's and Conductors union
at an early hour yesterday morning,
came to an end in fact as the hours or
Christmas day rolled by. Following
close upon the successful operation OF
early morning cars old employees OF the
road applied for reinstatement in such
large numbers that regular trips of
electrlcs on all lines were resumed, and
accommoda atoms for the travelling pub
lie were ample long before noon.
As the hours passed the number or
cars in commission steadily increased,
and so quiet were matters that few peo-
pie from observation would have known
of Thursdays tie-up. The West Enc
management, true to its ultimatum. re-
engaged such of their old employees as
they desired, but declined the services
OF those prominently identified with the
strike. From the roads standpoint not
a man was discharged on account OF the
strike, as il had no men whom II recog-
nized as strikers.
Opinion differs as to whether the
strained relations between the West End
company and the men is over. Labor
men think that the prospects OF gem
eral strike more far-reaching than
Thursdays tie-up is impending. There
is a general feeling in labor circles that
meetings Of all branches OF organized
labor in Boston and the suburbs touched
by the West End system will be i'm
mediately called 10 take cognizance OF
the antagonism of the West End road
to unionism. out of this little appears
on the surface. as holiday enjoyment
has outweighed almost everything else.
The first official act OF the West End
road management yesterday morning
was to discharge 80 conductors and
motormen of division 6 (Charlestown).
President Young of the Conductors.
Motormen and Drivers union headed
the list. More than 100 discharges were
also made on division Lenox street
line), and * is said that a black list has
been prepared by the company, which
contains the name of every employe of
the company who actively participated
in the strike.
President Young says that the strike
IL off as far as tire supreme council Of
the union !s concerned. He admits that
some of the men. having once disre-
garded the action of the conference COM
mittee, may ignore the ultimatum of the
supreme council and inaugurate an
other strike
II Is generally thought among the con-
ductors and mOtorInen that tn action of
the supreme council mean$that the man.
ayers have until Dec. 80 to sign the agree
| ment submitted by he men, recognizing
! them as q union instead of individuals.
| If the company refuses to do this an
| other strike may be ordered.
The more radical Of the men say that
| both the supreme council ard the con-
| ference committee have failed TO repre-
| sent the sentiments OF the union. Divi-
| sions and men are especially emphatic
| I'm this assertion. One OF the latter said
| last night that If the company refused
| to recognize It's conductors and motor
| men as a union, and the present council
| did not order strike, the resignation Of
the present members would be de-
| manded, and that a new council repre-
senting the sentiments of the men
| would be installed.
| The conservative members, however
who come close to being q majority
urge that to strike now would be the
height of folly. In the event Of a strike
being ordered many of these men would
refuse to go out.
Yesterday and Thursday the recruit
ing office of the West End registered
about 1000 men who are supposed TO be
| competent, besides receiving hundred.
OF applications by mail
| President Young OF the union, In ar
interview, regrets the outcome Of the
| strike, saying THE public at large
have but little idea as to the manner In
( which the West End treats its employees
| We are subjected to all sorts of petty
| annoyances. and for trivial accidents arr
made to pay heavy fines. We not only
insist that they shall sign this agree
ment, but that we shall be recognized a.
a union. The West End hAs by no means
seen the end of this matter. The unior
has right on its side. and right will even