Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-25
ALL BOSTON AFOOT.
PRACTICALLY A COMPLETE TIE-UP
OF sTREET-CARs.
STRIKE OF WEST-EHD R'Y EMPLOYEES
Christmas shoppers Greatly 1ncon-
Observation-Disclosures Trims ON
the steam Hallway Lines Packed
Like rd1nc-BOxcs.

BOSTON, December 2.-Not since the
strike Of the West-End railway employees
In February. 1887. has the general public
so fully realized its dependence upon the
street-railway lines as to-day. With the
exception OF the cars of the Lynn ana
Boston railroad, which use the power ana
tracks of the West-End Company from
Chelsea. through Charlestown, 10 Scollay
Square, and the cars OF the United states
mail service, which have been running as
usual, there has practically been COM
plete tie-up of surface cars during the
afternoon ana evening. Coming just At
Christmas, the strike has greatly incon-
venienced thousands who wished to visit
the city stores to purchase their gifts,
and all thoroughfares have been crowded
with pedestrians despite the biting wind
that has prevailed.
Early this morning an enterprising
teamster put on line Of passenger bargos
between Charlestown and Scolay Square,
and he reaped a harvest. Later lines were
started under the management Of the
strikers The steam railroads have been
dangerously overcrowded on account OF
IN sudden demands made upon them.
During the late afternoon and early
evening the suburban traffic over the Bos-
ton and Albany road was immense. The
station was packed with dense mass OF
humanity, and although trains We're run
every ten or fifteen minutes. the cars were
filled like so many sardine-boxes. the
crowds pushing, tanning. and trampling
upon one another for standing-room. Men
shouted and women nearly tainted in the
excitement, and innumerabe bundles ana
boxes containing presents and breakable
articles were crushed beyond recognition
by the crowd, which resembled pack OF
frenzied animals more than a collection Oh
rational human beings.
There were somewhat similar scenes
enacted at the other railway stations, al
though they were less demonstrative.
COMMITTEE EMBARRASSMENT.
This afternoon the committee Of the
Conductors and Motormen's Union that
held the conference with the West End
directors last night and agreed 10
weeks postponement of the strike called
upon President Little, in order TO place
themselves right in the eyes OF the West
End officials They explained the appa-
rent violation OF the agreement entered
into last night b. saying that the men
took matters in their own hands, and the
strike was a fact, even though the
Supreme Council was unaware OF IT. All
this. and mere. was submitted 10 Presi-
dent Little, and 1t was again intimated
that nothing would avail until the agree
ment was signed. The President reitera-
ted his statement Of yesterday that
he was powerless to sign the agree
ment. and that even II he did so. II would
be worthless without first being accepted
by the Executive Committee Of the COM
pany.
tonight issued a notice 20 It's employees.
I'm which II stated that all employees who
continue in the service OF the company
will be protected. but that all who volun-
tarily absent themselves from service Will
be considered as having Withdrawn from
the employ OF the company.
The company advertised for motormen
and conductors to-day. and II was said
tonight that In response large number
of men had been secured.
At 0 o'clock tonight came the first
sign OF weakening on the part or the
strikers when 1t was reported that 100
men of Division No. Z. which includes
! CAMBRIDGE. Arlington, Newton, and West
Somerville. had gone back TO work, and
as a result a few cars are running to-
nieht between Boston and Harvard
Souare. Cambridge. Some fifty or sixty
men also returned on Division No. .
| (SOuth Boston,
over on the Charlestown Division the
strikers declare that If men are brought
! from other cities 10 take their places
| there will be trouble.
THE STRIKE OFF.
ROsTON. December 2t-The strike has
been declared off by the Supreme Council
! ~ the Conductors and Motormen's
Union. and the men win return TO work
tomorrow.