New-York tribune., 1896-12-25
BOSTON WALKED FOR A DAY
A STREET RAILWAY TIE-UP THAT WAS
SHORT-LINED.
THE WEST END coMPANY's MEN WENT OUT IN
THE MORNING AND SURRENDERED AT
NIGHT-CHRIsTMAs SHOPPERS
INcONvENIENcED.

Boston. Dec. 24-M. L. Young president Oh
the Supreme Council Of the Conductors, DriVers
and Motormen's Unions. early this morning or
dered general strike unit, the proposed agree
ment should he signed by the West End street
Railway Company's officials. Feeling IN favor
of an Immediate strike 50 strong among the
men OF the different divisions that, althoush
their Conference Committee had long u's
cussion with the railway officials late last h's"'
and agreed to have the strike postponed lo'
week. the men took the matter practica"S "''o
their hands. Few OF them ran ieSu' '
after midnight.
Not since the strike OF West End hail""S '"'
ployes In February 1851 has the public so fuiiy
realized it's dependence upon the streetcar lines
for transportation between the various distric''
of this CITY as to-day. With the exception ol
the cars of the LINN and Boston Railway, WHICH
use the pnwer and tracks Of the West Enc con-
many from, Chelsea through Charlesto"n 10
Scouav Snuare and the cars Of the United STATES
mail service which have been running as usual
ther, was a practically complete ue-up III 'n'
afternoon and evening. Coming JUST al 'ni'S'-
mas the strike has greatly inconveniehcea 'no"
sands Of residents of the outlying dlstric's anu
,.hs Who wished 20 visit city stores 10 puy
their gifts All thoroughfares nave been cro""e"
with pedestrians despite the biting wind
o,t an 8 line cf passenger harges between
Charlestown and Scollay Square. ana lie "as
reaned a harvest Later lines were started un-
der the management Of the strikers to accomic-
date neople living In districts where no cars are
rrn,,ng peonle VINO live near the lines Of the
steam railroads are concentrating themselves
on their good fortune, but the steam lines have
been so overcrowded on account OF the sudden
don,ands made upon them that travel thereby
has beer unpleasant and in many cases danger
ous.
This afternoon the committee Of the Con-
ductors and Motormens Union that held the
conference with the West End directors last
night and agreed to weeks postponemeht vi
the strike called on President Little IN order 10
pIacc themselves right in the eyes OF the Yves,
End officials They explained the apparent vio-
lation Of the agreement entered into last night
by saying that the men took matters ih'p ,he"
own hands and the strike was fact even De-
fore the Supreme Council was aware OF II. All
this and more was submitted to President Little
and il was again intimated that nothing would
avail until the agreement was signed. The pres
dent reiterated his statement Of yesterday that
he was poweress to sign the agreement. and
that, even if he did so. 1t would be worthless
withou, being accepted by the Executive Com
mttee Of the company.
There has yet been no line Of action laid
out by the strikers. 1t is practically determined
to leave the conduct of the strike In the hands
Of the respective divisions. Each division Will
be in charge of the member OF the Supreme
Council for that division. Pckets have been
posted and the strike will be carried on
methodicay.
BY noon the strike on in every division.
Before tha, time messengers were sent from
Headquarters with orders to that no cars
left the stables after that hour. As men came
In from their trips they were ordered to quit.
reserve force has been kept in every police
station in the city since early this forenoon, but
in the day officers were detailed for special duty
only at the West LenoX-st. stables and in
| Charlestown Not the slightest trouble has thus
far been reported on the part of the strikers
The Yves. End Company tonight issued a no.
tice to its employees. III which II says that all
who continue in the service Of the company Will
he protected. bui that all who voluntarily alb
sen. themselves frorl service will be considered
as having withdrawn from the employ of the
company. The company advertised for motor
men and conductors to-day. ana It was said to-
night that in response a large number OF men
had been secured
The state Board of Arbitration and Conca-
ton had conferences with representatives OF the
company ard Of the strikers this afternoon and
tried to bring about reconciliation but the
| Board has no power to order settlement ana
can only use its good Offices.
Al ~ clOcIs to-nlSnt came lnt lllsl SisuS VI
weakening the part OF he strikers, when II
was reported that 100 men Of Division No I.
which includes Cambridge Arlington. Newton
and West Somerville had gone back to work
! As result few cars are running tonight be-
tween Boston and Harvard Square Cambridge.
/ Some fifty or sixty men also returned on Di-
| vision No >. South Boston. The action taken by
| these is thought to indicate that the back
| bone of the strike has been broken and that the
ranks Of the seceders will multiply rapidly until
! the old men are nearly all back in their places.
! on he Charles division strikers
| declare that If men are brought from NewYOrk
| or Brookl} To take their places there will be
! trouble as they will not allow themselves 10 be
! surplanted by non-unon men from those cities.
/ Il was stated at the meeting Of the Cambridge
! Division Council to-nigh; that their committee
/ had rec ,ved assurances from Mayor Quincy OF
! Boston that he would do all in his power to pre-
vent the West End company from employing
| green or unskilled men to run their electric
cars
| More cars were running tonight in Cam
! bridge than in the afternoon. and nearly all were
from the North-ave. ard Murray-st tHarvard
Square, stables. When the 100 men reported
! back for work tonight and assigned to
cars. they were compelled to sign the employees
/ book as if they new men and had just
! tered the employ of the company. Not many
cars were needed tonight. but Superintendent
Dee said the fall number of cars would go out
from the stable in the morning. The superin-
tenden' Of The Brighton Line also says that his
cars VIII all be- running tomorrow \ few
are running from North Cambridge and Airing
ten.
The strike was declared off by the Supreme
Council late Tonight. and the men will return
10 work Tomorrow
tn" following notice was issued late tonight
by the West End Company
| 'All car service who have reported and
! faithfully performed the work assigned 10 them
on December -. 1896 VIII have preference in
rating over other employees. Men who have
Trained from work MAJ. on December -. lS.b.
make application to their division superinten
dents. and. if employel. will be rated In
cOrdancc with the time of such application: not.
however. having preference over new men hired
| before said application. After - o'clock mid
night, December -. 1876. no applications for
| turn To work viii be received. unless made To the
! employment agent AZ No ~ Water-st.. Boston.
SAMUEL. LITTLE. President"