The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-03
STRIKE is ON AGAIN
PHILADELPHIA STREET RAILWAYS
TIED UP ONCE MORE.
Hot Heads in Control Of the Labor
Orgnnixatfon-Refu to Heed
Advice Of Conservatives.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. s.-The street.
railway strike is on again. At 1:40 o'clock
this morning the motormen and conductors
employed by the Union Traction Company
decided not to go to work when the first
day cars start at 4 o'clock. The official
declaration was made at a mass meeting
of the men in Labor Lyceum 1t came amid
the greatest confusion and against the
strong protests of the conservative element.
In fact, the excitement was so intense that
numerous small riots between the two
elements were averted with the greatest
difficulty Pandemonium reigned at times,
and many of the conservatives left in dis
gust. An unsatisfactory conference with
General Manager Beetem had been held
earlier lii the night and trouble began when
this committee reported to the mass meet
ing. Previous to it's arrival, the turbulent
scenes of the day had been increasing in
Intensity. The question OF 'strike no
strike was about to be put TO the men
when Or. Griffiths of the Christian League.
made a speech urging them to be patient
ana suggested further effort for peace. He
was greeted with jeers, and fuel was added
to the flame when a man named Kirschner,
OF the Cigar Makers Union, made a fiery
speech, urging the men to strike President
Mahon, who has all along been opposed to
a strike, tried to shut OF Kirschner and al
most incurred personal violence from the
men who wanted to hear Kirschner.
The confusion kept up until Chairman
Lutz put the question to vote. A decided
affirmative was the response. There We're
many negatives, however. increasing from
time to time, but the strikers were .n the
majority. TIE meeting broke up III tie
greatest disorder. Throughout II was man.
ifest that many of the men who went out
on the last strike will report for duty as
usual. The temper of the strikers is such
that should the conservatives do this trou-
BILE Is almost bound to result.
From the adjournment Of their meeting.
at o'clock yesterday morning, the dissat
isfied employees were quietly but actively at
work. Committees were assigned 10 each
division, and polled the conductors and mo-
tormen to determine their sentiment on
General Manager Beetem's proposition of
last night. This was to the effect that the
old men would be given preference over
the new men engaged during the strike,
these latter to be placed at the foot of the
extra" list. The ten-hour day and two
dollar wage scale questions were also
brought up at the convention. but Mr.. Beet
EN- firmly stated that the company was
not in a position to accede to those de-
mands, even If they SO desired.
Returns on the result of the canvass
came to headquarters as the day waned,
indicating that large majority of the men
favored strike, many of the branch lines
being unanimous. President Mahon, of the
Amalgamated Association Of Street Rail-
way Employees, used his best efforts
throughout the day to obviate tie-up. and
in this he was aided by nearly all the lead
ers and delegation OF prominent citizens.
The majority OF the workers, however, were
almost a unit on the determination to reject
Manager Beetem's last proposition. AS
time passed they assembled in groups at
the strike headquarters and a feeling Of
restiveness became manifest. This grew
more marked tonight when a committee of
| representatives from the various divisions
met to review the situation. The men were
| admitted to the hall. but were so utterly
| at variance with the minority conservative
| element that il became necessary for them
| to withdraw. The employees frequently in
| terrupted the proceedings with boisterous
| demonstrations, refused to listen to any
| arguments bearing on Cancellation and de-
| cared that they would hold monster mass
| meeting and declare the strike on. II was
| apparent that many OF them had disregared
| leader AIahon's injunction to keep out of
| the rum Shops" and that break in the
ranks was imminent. This was regarded
| as most serious because Of the fact that the
radical element is largely in the majority,
| and should they take matters into their own
| hands the result could not be foretoid.
| While these events were in course, SUBJ
| committee of ten were again in conference
| with Manager Beetem. Two hours Were
| thus occupied. and the trouble eventually
resolved itself into one question-that OF
| future employees being required to agree
| that they will join no labor orgs nization.
| The men wanted this clause abolished, bu,
| Mr.. Beetem declared that there was no DOS
| sibiiity OF the companys capitulation on
| this point He accused the men OF having
| themselves repudiated the original agree
| ment by which the recez4 strike was ended
| In that before 1t had been in effect thirty.
| six hours the Girard-avenue men had re-
| fused to take out their cars The confer
| ence ended without any result. and when
| the committee. on leaving. invited Mr.. Bee
| tenn to the mass meeting at Labor Lyceum
he firmly declined to have anything to dc
l with It.