The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-13
Trolley Ropes Cut and NonuniOn EN-
ployes Pelted with stale Eggs,
Stones and Chunks OF Mud.
NEW MEN INDUCED TO QUIT
WOMEN PLEADED WITH THEM
WHEN THE STRIKERS FAILED.
Resolution Adopted by the Directors
Of the Company Declining to Arbf-
trate the Main Question.

CLEVELAND June 12.-The attempt OF
the Big Consolidated Railroad Company to
move it's cars to-day was attended by scenes
of wild disorder in various parts OF the
city though nobody was hurt and very lit
tie damage was done TO property. Cars were
run on two lines at very irregular inter-
walls, but without passengers and mainly
under the protection of policemen. The
principal work of the mobs. which were
composed largely OF idlers and curious spec
tators, was to blockade the tracks, in which
they were materially assisted by accommo-
dating drivers of trucks, who cut trolley
ropes and jeered at the nonunion men. Oc-
casionally stale eggs. stones, vegetables ond
pieces of mud were thrown, but nobody vas
hurt. The strikers discouraged violence,
but they did most effective work in inducing
the nonunion men to quit, and IN that they
were assisted by several women. relatives
of the strikers, who boarded the cars and
pleaded with the new men to leave their
posts. One OF these women was provided
with money and when argument failed she
induced the nonunion men to quit by paying
them. Many Of the cars wsfe left on the
lines deserted and were afterwards picked
UP by inspectors and taken to the terminals.
The company says 1t has sufficient men &c
operate its cars tomorrow. pus .his is de-
MED by the strikers.
The important development to-day vas
the refusal of the company TO ie: the State
board arbitrate the only question involved
the recognition Of the union The strikers
say they feel greatly encouraged and they
will be better prepared than ever 10 resist
the running of when the attempt is
resumed tomorrow morning.
he
down town from the I-akeview barns at 10
o'clock this morning, guarded by deputies
and manned by deputies AMI imported men.
1t was greeted with jeers and some missiles
were thrown. Next two cars dashed from
the barns across the railroad crossing with
out stop. The city odinance makes 1t
compulsory for the conductor of the street
car to leave the car and to go to the rail-
road crossing and there signal the motor
man to proceed. Two of the strikers were
delegated to secure warrants for the crews
OF these cars and later both Of the new
motormen were arrested.
NONUNIONTSTS PELTED.
The first car to leave Lakeview arrived
at the square at 8 o'clock. A few hundred
people were there waiting for it. The car
was allowed to depart, however, and with
out any demonstration beyond boots and
jeers. The report that a car had passed
spread like wildfire and when the second
car. which arrived at 9:1O a. m, came along.
1t was stopped. Several thousand people
packed around the car and a delegation of
strikers induced the motorman to leave it.
He was given an ovation. While the strik-
ers were talking with the motorman and
conductor stones and vegetables were
thrown. Several men who were in sympa-
thy with the strikers endeayored to drag
the nonunion men from the car. Police
finally charged the crowd on Euclid avenue.
The third car out Of the barns was at
tempting to make the return trip east of the
avenue. when thousands of people and in
Vulnerable wagons blocked the thorough
fare and impeded the progress of the car
The trolley rope was cut several times and
every few moments some one would release
the lever that controlled the fender and it
would drop to the ground. The crowd would
be beaten back for the time being, but be-
fore the car had proceeded fifteen feet it's
progress would be again impeded by the
surging crowd. A number of rioters were
arrested and many in the mob were dubbed
by the police. AT the Nickel-plate crossing
several women hurled volleys of stones at
the cars.
Of the day occurred. AT the corner of Euclid
avenue and Bond street three cars were
held up and trolley ropes were cut. Stones
fell on the cars in shower and the train
men locked the cars and took refuge under
the seats One nonunion motorman decided
to take his chances with the mob, and
jumped into the crowd. He was hustled but
not injured. A solid mass of people blocked
ha 70 fxvo No
was in sight when the trouble began, but a
strong force arrived in a few minutes and
the crowd gave away. but not before the
cars had been derailed.
The following resolution was adopted by
the company's board of directors after a hot
debate:
Resolved. That the differences between
the Cleveland Electric Railway Company
and Its former employees have substantially
narrowed down 10 the proposition on which
the company must stand: that it must hire
and discharge men without dictation OF any
body. AS already stated. IL does not at
tempt. nor will it attempt, to dictate to its
employees whether they shall belong to a
union or not. Ii will not require them to
join. nor will 1t discharge them for joining
or refusing TO join, at their pleasure. The
company must reserve to itself the right to
treat directly with its own men, to hire new
ones as the needs of its service require and
to discharge inefficient men without account
Ing TO anybody except to its directors En-
tertaining these views, II must respectfully
decline 10 submit these questions TO arbitra-
ton"
About O'Clock this evening ten cars were
blockaded on Durham avenue. half way be-
tween the center of the city and the car
barns. Men returning from work piled
powders on the rails and after several un-
successful attempts to clear the track the
nonunion men left the cars. Later In the
evening mob assembled and broke the
windows Of the cars with stones. A striker