St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-05-04
THE TROLLEY IS OFF
MILWAUKEE, STREET RAILWAY
EMPLOYEES GO ON A
STRIKE.
TIE-UP BEGAN AT MIDNIGHT
BUT HAD BEEN ExPECTED-COM~
PANY IMPORTING NON-UNION
MEN.
up BEGAN AT MIDNIGHT
ONE HUNDRED SPECIAL POLICE.
They Will BE on Duty Today to Pros
tect the New Men IL Cars
Run.

MILWAUKEE,, Wis, May "a strike Of
the 800 employees of the Milwaukee Electric
Railway and Light company was inaugurated
tonight, and as each car was run into the
barn motorman and conductor left It, not to
return until the demands OF the union for
increased pay. recognition Of the employees
organization and several minor concessions
are granted. The electric railway company
has seen that a strike was certain to occur,
and has been quietly arranging to fill the
places of the strikers. A number OF men
have been brought here from other cities to
take the places OF the strikers, and are quar-
tered in the several barns.
The strike was determined on at midnight
tonight at mass meeting Of members OF the
union. II had been determined to request the
officers of the electric road for another COM
promise tomorrow. in hopes that an under
standing would be reached. When 1t was
learned by the officers of tho union that men
from other cities were being imported and
that the company was preparing to immedi-
ately NIL the places OF the old employees 1t
was determined to ask conference tonight
with the officials OF the company. The re-
quest was sent to Vice President Henry c.
Payne, who replied that the company would
receive no communication from the men and
would in manner treat with its employees
further. When this answer was announced
at the meeting Of the union. vote was taken
on a motion to
DECLARE A STRIKE,
and 1t was carried unanimously. The direc-
tors of the road sent their reply 10 the men
yesterday morning, In which they positively
refused to grant two OF the leading requests
those for higher wages and the settlement
Of difficulties by arbitration. The officials,
however slgniied their willingness to dis
cuss the minor grievances with the men.
General Manager Wyman said that no dis
cussion would alter the determination Of the
directors TO concede nothing In their posi-
tion relative to the wages and arbitration.
and the men said that no agreement could
be accepted by them in which present condi-
tions in these respects form part.
Negro cooks arrived from Chicago tonighty
and were at once taken to the car barn
where arrangements had been made to fee
the new men, who will sleep in the barns
as long as they are in any danger of violence.
Similar arrangements will be made at the
power house on River street
General Manager Wyman, OF the street rail-
way and light company had a conference
with Mayor Rauschenberger and Chief of
Police Jansen today. and received assur-
ances that everything possible would be done
to protect the companys property. At least
100 special policemen will be sworn in tomor-
row. Some Of them will be stationed at the
barns and power houses and others will be
placed on the cars to protect the new men.
The strike begun tonight will tie up the en-
tire street railway and electric service of the
city. The several lines are owned by the
one company and every employe Of the road
is member Of the union. In addition to the
street railway employees. the electric light
employees are involved and will probably
strike tomorrow. They number 300 men, and
operate 1.-The only electric lighting plant In
the city. Unless the company is prepared
to man the power house. the city will be
without light tomorrow night except for gas.
TROUBLE IS EXPECTED,
as is evidenced by the activity at police head
quarters and the sherih's Office. Up to mid
night 100 special policemen had been sworn
in and more will go duty tomorrow. The
sheriff will have a large force of special
deputies on duty. He has also taken steps
to confer with the governor on the advisable
ity or ordering the Fourth regiment, w. ".
c., under arms Troops will not be called
out however unless the local authorities find
themselves unable to protect the property
~ the railway cornnanv