The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-01
Self-Appointed Citizens Committee
Asks Signatures of Qualified
Voters.
FOR SETTLEMENT OF STRIKE.
Plan Is TO Bring Public Sentiment
Ia Bear TO Induce Both Sides
Ia Submit Differences To
Arbitration.

copies of petition to have the contro-
'erSy between the ST. Louis Transi, Com
pany and its former employees submitted to
a BOARD or arbitration for adjustment We're
put In circulation yesterday for the sigma
lures or qualified voters of the city by a
Seh-appointed citizens arbitration COM
ihi''ee' OF which John T. Wilson. president
oI the International Brotherhood of Rail-
way Irainmen. is chairman
According To Mr.. Wilson, the other mem-
Ders OF the committee are business and
professional men who do not wish at this
Time 10 be known. He said last night that
they met Friday in the Fullerton building
ana decided to test the public will concern
ing the strike and the best method of
settling IL. To this end the following pc
uiion was drawn up:
We. the undersigned. qualified voters OF 81
Louis Mo. believing that the time has arrived
tween the ST. Louis Transit company ard its
i"atner employs. now on strike. y inperatively
rrosr.ss In the name Of Justice and humanity.
a. h iIr the sake Of restoring normal conditions
necessary burdens now IMPOSED In9n the -eneral
putc may Ice removed. most earnestly Petition
mn 'h" matters in dispute for settlement by
fair hoard of arbitration.
II Is MI. Wilson'S opinion that at least
three-fourths If the voters of St Louis will
sign. Sucii a plea for arbitration. he says.
I've iSilof'I DN either the
company. y plan of settlement has been
prepared. and If the petition has the desired
ehcct IL VIII be submitted to the Arbitra-
In reference TO the strike, Mr.. Wilson
said:
since May s. the date on which the strike
w. iiiausurated by the ST Louis Transit
Compdnys employees. business and social
conditions in our city have been and are
now; seriously disturbed, due to the conduct
of the officials and employees of a corpora-
IN 1itarsa rrr,f-
ed and satisfactory public service
me men engaged in the strike are losing
is losing about s,0e0 a day in fares. Rusi-
hess men of the city are losing about sa5Q.-
O9 a day; 81 Louis is losing It's reputation
as q civilized city, and citizens of every
class are being greatly Inconvenience. If
merchant sells 10 one customer he is boy
Sotted by another; If a member Of an in
dustriaf organization rides on one of the
transit cars. he Is fined or expelled from his
organization. Large corporations are
threatening their men with loss of en-
cars
With lawyers and doctors 1t is simply a
case or suffer If they do and suffer If they
pany's cars they lose part of their clients
and patients: If they fail to ride on them they
suffer in a similar manner. The newspaper
interests are losing heavily because tra.ie
condttions are such that merchants cannot
afford to advertise.
The position taken by the transit COM
PaiIS piHcidiS Is tnat they nave all rhe
men they need to operate their cars; that
they VIII not recognize the right of labor
ers TO combine and to be- dealt with as an
organized body; that they will re-empioy
their former employees as II suits their con-
Henience. excepting those who have been
guilty OF !awlessness and Violence and that
there is nothing to arbitrate' |
he men take the position that they have
a right To combine for mutual protection;
TO be dealt with as an organized body: that
Inc company must take back into its service
all OF Its former employees now on strike or
the strike and boycott will be continued
ana that there Is something to arbitrate'
As there is no apparent hope of q settle
inent, and of peace and order being restored
ard as the public is, by far, the greatest |
sufferer. II seems that II should act and
demand that the controversy n. ended