Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-28
THE STRIKE ENDED.
OVER 1900 GIRLS AT WORK AT
WHITLoCK's YESTERDAY.
NO MEETING AT MARKET HALL.
The Gas Could Not he Turned On
Until - Bill Was Paid-Meeting ut
Thou's HaII-Packers VIII Resume
To-day.

what striker said Mr.. Philip Whit
lock, manager of the Whtlock cheroot-
factory. yesterday when asked concern
ing the recent trouble among the girl
operatives there.
"Why, have we had a striker he con-
tcued. "Ohl yes, / believe We did have
some sort OF trouble. ii seems Ike Il
many of the 1900 girls at work who viii
admit that she took part in the trouble.
Bless me, had no idea so many of my
girls were out of town on the day Of the
strike"
EVERYTHING RUNNING.
BY the foregoing Mr.. Whtlock meant
10 tell the Dispatch writer that every
thing in the building was working
smoothly; that upwards of 1900 girls
were at work. and that many Of those
who had come back were anxious to for
get that there had been any trouble.
The statement made by Mr.. Whiilock
Monday that the number of girls work
ing that day would be largely increased
yesterday by girls who had been TO the
factory but could not work, not having
fied. All cars running before 7
o'clock were crowded, and when
work began at the hour named the rooms
presented their old-time busy aspect. In
deed Mr.. Whitlock stated that more
girls were at work than on the day Of
the strike owing 10 the fact that the
leaves Of absence granted many mad cX-
pired and they had returned.
NO MARKETABLE MEETING.
The big labor meeting planned for Old
Market Hall last night was not held,
though "A number of union men met in
Thon's Hall across the street, and vs.
tened To addresses from local leaders.
There were many boys and men about
the Old Market when o'clock came, but
girls were few. At half-past not more
than twenty If that number, had put In
an appearance.
There waS no light In the big hall up4
stairs. and nobody ventured up Finally.
at o'clock somebody, apparently labor
leader. announced that the gas had been
cut off and the hall could not be lighted.
1t seems that when the hall was last oc-
cupied regularly bill for gas was left
unpaid. Under a city ordinance the gas
could not be turned on until arrears were
paid. Therefore. the hall was in dark
ness. and had to remain so.
Somebody announced that the meeting
would be held In Thon's Hall, across
Main street. from the market. and there
was a movement I'm that direction. A
number OF men were in front and the
girls Brought up the rear. The men hur'
rled on up the steps.
SHE COULDN'T GO UP.
At this point occurred an incident that
was remarkable and characteristic, one
however which should hardly have beer
surprising The men were crowding M
the steps. The girls came 10 the foot
and paused. In front was the pretty littl,
woman In black who has been conspicu
Gus as the leader of the strikers. She
has been uniformly lady-like in her de
pertinent. But she has been outspoken
aggressive and defiant. She has spoker
in public on several occasions at mixed
meetings since the strike began. Before
and after meetings she has let no Oppor
tunity pass 10 declare in the most posi-
tive manner her principles and her IN
tentiOns.
But she wouldn't go up the steps.
Pm not going up there with all those
men" she declared. and half turned back
The other girls had stopped. too She was
still the leader. though she had faltered
There was some persuasion made TO in
duce her to 40 on up. But she was az
firm as she had always been, and II
less than a minute she and the Other
girls were going back across the street
Before they reached the curb the leade
STONED, and several men came up e
them. What they said could not be heard
II just couldn't so up there" the cir
was heard 20 say. One or two men OF
the sidewalk cried good" and If anybod!
blamed her he did not make himself
heard.
Several OF the men accompanied the
girls out Seventeenth street To Frank
lin, where they took the cars for thei
homes. on Church Hin.
CAN GET OTHER POSITIONS.
This girl is one of twelve or fifteen WIFI
viii not be taken back by Mr.. Whitlock
They are out OF work. IL was stated las
night that they would be supported by
the unions until they could get work
They are poor girls. OF course. and nee'
to labor for daily bread. 1t was state,
last night that they could get positions
at other factories In this city.
Some of the girl packers at Whitlock'
who went out ON a strike have returned
10 work. Mr.. WhitlOck has agreed 4
take them all back, lie expects then
In to-day. The men will not be takei
back. Girls will be employed in thei
stead, so that henceforth no male packer