Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-04

L
STREET LAST EVENING.
There were two events of more than
usual interest in the street railway
trouble yesterday.
One was an effort made by the Cham
Der of Commerce to reach a solution of
the trouble through arbitration, and
the other was an arrest, made last
evening at Twenty-seventh street, by
deputy United States marshal.
The committee of the Chamber of
Commerce, which body has been quiet
ly, for several days, engaged in the
work of ascertaining whether arbitra-
ton of the differences between the
company and its employees would bring
about settlement, was composed of
Col Thomas O'Brien, H. P. McGregor,
j. d. Culbertson, l.. E. Sands and Hull
linen Quarter, the latter the president
of the Chamber. They assembled at
the rooms of the Chamber of Com
merce and talked over the situation,
and then communicated with the union
of the strikers, which was assembled
at Trades Assembly hall, through
Messrs. O'Brien and McGregor. The
proposition for arbitration was receiv-
ed, and later Messrs. Burns and Pad
den, representing the union, called at
the Chamber of Commerce. These
gentlemen assert that when they enter
ed the room they were at once shown
to an ante-room, but that a glance at
the occupants of the main room show
ed the presence there of two directors
of the company, and a former director
and a present stakeholder. They at
once came to the conclusion that there
was something unfair going On, and so
| reported to their organization, which
thereupon refused to have anything to
do with the proposed negotiations, and
the offers of arbitration were accord
ingly rejected, and a report to that eff
feet was made to the representatives
of the Chamber. 1t was also added,
on behalf of the men, that they did not
wish for a compromise or for arbitra-
ton, and were standing firm for their
demands, as modified by the nineteen
cent proposition.
On the other hand, it was stated by
members of the Chamber Of Commerce
committee that they were acting in
good faith, and earnestly wished to
bring about settlement. They had
spent day or two in looking over the
ground, that they might accurately
know the situation, and in doing his
had held informal conferences with
both sides. They said the presence Of
representatives of the company yester-
day was but an incident to securing in
formation, that no stakeholder of the
company would have been permitted to
enter into the negotiations, and that il
such gentleman had, through acct
dent, been upon the committee, he
would have been promptly removed
and another substituted. They dis
claim, with great earnestness, that
there was any thought of Improperly
in the matter, and that they were simp-
ly acting as business men, DESTROYS of
ending state of affairs which is bring
ing injury and loss upon the whole
community, and that, as their pacific
offers were rejected, they dropped out
of the controversy and their efforts
are at an end.
The strikers and labor leaders say
they had no intimation of the confer
ence of yesterday until they were sud
denly informed of it. This is strange,
for many other people knew what was
contemplated, and the newspapers only
omitted reference to it by request, lest
premature publication might throw
some obstacles in the path
The news that this latest effort at
settlement had failed YVES widely cir
culated yesterday evening, and there
was much disappointment, and it gave
rise to renewed public discussion of the
whole matter and to many regrets that
all efforts at a settlement have so far
failed through causes which, it would
appear. should have very little weight
The general public is suffering, and
wish a settlement. This is beyond all
doubt or dispute. Sentiments to that
effect can be heard on all sides, and
daily grow in volume. The time is
bound to come. in the estimation OF
many, when forbearance will cease TO
be virtue.
The strikers organization will not
meet to-day, the men agreeing to take
day off, and let things drift as they
please. Arrangements are being made
to obtain a number of large wagons
from surrounding towns, for use IN
hauling passengers on the streets.
The anonymous letter writer has ap-
peared, and yesterday leading repre-
sentatives of both the labor orsaniza-
tons and the company received docu-
ments containing both abuse and
threats. The writing, paper AMI en-
velopes were identical, and indicated
that the same person wrote and mailed
all these letters Two Of them were