The news & observer., 1896-12-25
kEPT THEIR WORD.
Boston Street Car Conductors and Mo-
tormen go on Strike.

Boston. Mass, Dec. 24.-In spite of
the ofIicial announcement by the mortor-'
men ahd conductors union OF
the Wes: End street railway company
early thi: morning that the proposed
strike over the alleged non-recognition of
the union by the West End management
would be deferred until December 30,
many Of the empioyes have taken the
matter into their own hands and the re-
suit is tie up that includes all of Bos-
ton EXCEPT a few suburbs. About $500
men are out. At ten O'Clock this MORN
ing the cars were oil off the streets OF
Boston except those of the Washington
street lines and the South Boston dlvl-
|eion. The men on the other lines, as fast
Us they came into car houses after their
early trip, Stopped work on being told
Of the sitsntlon.
AT noon the order to strike went into
effect and at the end of an hour the only
cars running were those of the South
Boston ard Grove Hill lines. Commit
tees Of the strikers We're sent from head
quarters 20 call the men off the cars as
fast as they came to the stations. General
Manager Rugg, of the road, admitted
that there: was tie up on all the lines
except th5se running to South Boston
and that protection had been asked for.
The strike at this time in the rush OF
the holiday trade is particularly bad for
the thousands who live in the suburbs.
The West End Railway Company this
afternoon issued a notice to employees
stating that those who voluntarily alb
sented themselves from their duties
would be considered as having Withdrawn
from the service of the company. The
railroad hiss issued statement which
gives history Of the strike from Presi
dent Littless point of view. In opening
mention is made of conferences between
| the Union and the officials OF the road
and OF letter setting forth that Presi
dent Little had no authority to sign the
| 1897 agreement with the employees except
| by vote OF fhe directors.
| In the course OF the statement Mr.
Little says:
The managers OF the West End Rail
/ way recognize and are not in the leas
| unmindful OF the inconvenience and the
| loss which the present stske is occasion
| ing, hut they fail to see how they ere
| in any way to blame for the present stu
| alton.
/ ..Ihey dealt with properly authorized
4 dau iidue iSiil anu b9hstA'
agreement with them as representing tht
| employees.
| "The agreement was Immediately re
| pudiated by the men themselves and {
general tie-un ensued.
/ 'sIt is not the West End officials whs
refused to recognize the representative.
| OF the Unions, but the employees OF thu
| road who repudiate the agreemnts ol
| their own representatives.
| The police officials expect the strike t.
be long one and have issued orders fol
the entire police force to remain ready OF
1 Icalf.
/ The West End Road il the largest stree,
| railway company in the world, and gives
employment to- about 1890 men The mo
/ tormen, conductors and drivers, over 3,50(
men, declare that the strike win not bs
/ settled until the West End Company con
sents to treat with them as union.
| Late tonight the situation is more un
| favorable for early settlement, than il
| was in the afternoon.
The executive committee was in contin-
ued session and received Representatives
| from pickets and from committees on the
various divisions. The pickets reported
| that the men were standing firm and DC
breaks were evident