The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-03
HOPE BURIED in GLOOM
ABORTIvE ATTEMPT To SETTLE
THE ST. LOUIS RAILWAY STRIKE.
Company Accepts the Citizens Conn
mittee Proposition, but the Strik-
ers Refuse to Yield q Point.

ST. LOUIS. Mo-. June 2.-Developments
in the great street car strike situation
caused hope to bound high in the public
breast to-day. and in many quarters con-
fdence was expressed that the curtain was
about 10 be rung Town on the prolonged
struggle between capital and labor. But
just as the shades of night were falling
the word was passed around that the citi-
zens' committee. which has labored so zeal
ously to bring about an amicable adjust
ment of affairs, had failed to
it's object. and again hope gave way to
bitter disappointment.
Early in the day the citizens committee
submitted a proposition for a settlement
of the strike to Edward Whitaker. presi-
dent of the Transit Company. and to ex-
Governor William j. Stone. attorney for
the Railway Mems Union, the salient point
of which is that the railway company shall
agree to restore TO its employment not less
than 1000 of it's former employees immedi-
ately. and not less than 500 additional of
them within ninety days after the PROPOSE
ton is accepted. The proposition further
provided that as soon as the first thousand
men had been provided for. the company
shall re-employ as many more of its for
mer employees as there shall be places for
them, either by reason of vacancies that
shall occur, or the future extension of the
company's business.
This proposition met with the entire ap-
probation Of Mr.. Whitaker and he APP
proved IL forthwith. Governor Stone called
the members of the strikers grievance
committee together and they went into Sc
cret session to consider the proposition.
The conference was a long one. continuing
until s o'clock. After the adjournment
none of the members of the grievance COM
mittee would divulge la had taken place.
At the conclusion Of the conference Mr..
Stone said the committee had mad no
progress. He said:
we lave discussed the proposition ex-
haustively. and / want to say right here
that the members of the union committee
have shown most commendable conserva-
tism and breadth of view in their discus
sion of the proposition. We reached no
conclusion because / desired some infor-
nation that Is absolutely necessary be-
fore we can act. 1 have asked these gen.
tlemen to furnish me this information, and
they will do so some time tomorrow. l can
not state the nature of this information at
this time. In the meantime, i hope to be
able to arrange for a conference between
myself and the attorneys OF the Transit
Company. / think the situation has reached
a point now where we may negotiate d.
rectly with them.
II may say, however, that the proposition
as submitted cannot be accepted by the UNI
ion. I do not care to specify the points that
prevent acceptance. but speaking generally
the proposition will have to be changed be-
fore we can accept ii. / desire to say that
the citizens committee did not succeed In
securing from the company the concessions
that they led us to believe they would Sc
cure. The proposition as submitted does
not go to the length promised by the COM
pany."
Members of the First Missouri Regiment
have received orders to report at the arm
DRY at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. Last
night Company Il was on guard Capt.
IS. f. Wheeler. who was officer of the
day, said to an Associated Press repre-
sentative that ne had received orders not
to discuss the orders with any one 1t was
ascertained, however, that all the men who
appear at the armory from the various
companies should be instructed by the
guard to appear tomorrow morning. The
nature of the duties they will perform after
the meeting is not known.