The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-03

The trouble between the transit company
and its employees which led W TO the
strike began before the consolidation of the
various street railway lines, hut first took
| definite shape last February. when the me u,
who had effected an organization. formGla'-
ed demands for certain changes which they
believed would be TO their advantage
These demands included 10-hour work
day, the work to be completed WITHIN
twelve consecutive hours; wage scale or
20 cents AN hour: the adjustment IF swing
runs; the reinstatement OF several men who
were said 70 have been discharged from
their places by the company because they
belonged TO the union; and the promise that
employees who were members of the union
should not be discharged without adequate
cause. of which the union should be sp-
prised.
These demands were drawn up under the
advice OF ". ID. Mahon. international presi-
dent Of the Arnaigamated Association Of
Street Railway Employ es. OF which organ
ization the men had become members.
When Mr.. NafOa. with other officers OF the
uuiol went to present the demands 10 the
officers of the transit company they were
refused an audience In their official capaci-
ty, the transit company men saying that
they would be glad to confer with any EN-
p!oysS OF the company, as SUN, aocuh siAs
matter OF mutual interest.
This action the leaders o? the employees
considered In the lish Of a refusal TO rec
ognize the union. Several meetings OF The
men were held. and there were grave fears
OF a strike. At one time. early in March.
II was believed that a waik-out Was III
eYitable The trouble WIS patched up how
eser, and Oh March ~ agreement was
signed by which the company conceded,
practically. everything that HAD been
asked, though IL did not in 80 many
words recognize the uI,icn.
The company agreed to meet any commit
tee Of its employees speaking Tor themselves
or for all or any OF the men and discuss
any question which might arise. None OF
the officers Of the street railway mems
organization except such as were einployys
these negotiations. The men continued to
work anu apparently the trouble was 1t
an end.
New Demand. Presented.
Early In April. however. trouble broke
out afreSh. The men declared that the
company ESas not living up 10 its agree
ment In the matter OF restoring men who
had been discharged previous to the agree
ment of March 10. There was also dis
content with some Of the changes that had
been made in the runs on several lines;
the men asserting that the company had
not made any Improvement In conditions;
An added and very important source OF
irritation was the presence ON the COM
pdny'S pay rolls of several hundred men
who had not joined the union and persist
entity refused to do SO. The members or
the union number more than $500. In the
latter part of April. MaBon, who had left the
city returned and matters began once more
to look grave. The situation was all the
more serious on account or strike on
the Suburban line, though 1t had not been
able to prevent the operation OF the cars
II was decided to make a bold move to
compel the transit company To recognize
the union fully and secure an arrangement
of schedules which would fully satisfy tho
men. The summary discharge or ssvera.
added to the serious aspect of the case.
There was one small strike on the Broad
way line over the discharge OF a griprnan,
which resulted in his immediate restora-
ton to his place:
ON May T. Chairman T. i. Edwards Of
the Grievance Committee of the men. and
lther members of the committee, presented
to President Edwards Whitaker OF the
transit company a communication IN whlc9
(, was announced that the agreement or
March 10 had been abrogated. An entirely
new set OF demands was presented at ths
Strike Declared.
President Whitaker laid the matter be
fore the Board of Directors Of the transit
company with the recommendation that the
demands be refused. This was unanimously
agreed upon and communication 10 that
effect was sent TO the Grievance Committee.
the company stating its position substan-
That it will not relinquish TO the union
any authority III the hiring or discharSing
refuses TO demand Of any of Its employees
that he Join the union.
Refuses TO suspend or discharge en-
pioyes who have been suspended by the
union, on that ground or at the dictatioa
of the union.
.'Offers additional compensation to all en-
ployes in the service for FIVE. ten or fifteen
years
A meeting Of the union was called at
once Ii assembled shortly after midnight
on the morning of Tuesday, MAY s, in the
Masonic Temple at Seventh and Market
streets. The hall was packed with union
or no r-.ln *
company, and after brief discussion the
question of whether to strike came up for
a vote. Not a dissenting voice %as heard.
The strike was declared Immediately.
The scenes of the next two days were Of
the widest confusion. Not a car was al
lowed to run on the transit system. Where
ever an attempt was made TO move the cars
a crowd of strikers and their sympathizers
would assemble. teering the men in charge
Several cars We're wrecked. The disturbance
spread to the Suburban line as soon as the
crowds were certain that the transit com
pany could be prevented from opera ting its
cars. The strike on this system was still in
effect though cars had been running The
hostile crowds assailed the Suburban cars
az they had the others. The downtown
streets were packed with excited throngs.
Threats and attempts at violence were made
wherever n car appeared. After 10 o'clock
in the morning few cars We're sent east OF
Jefferson avenue, and these Tere riddied
with stones and bullets unless they were
under police protection A score of persons
were badly injured.
Strange sights in st. Louis.
At night not moved in st. Louis.
People who had been able to get downtown
in the morning were forced to walk home or
ride in such rude vehicles as had been
pressed into service for the occasion Olive
street and other downtown thoroughfares