The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-10-04

The street railway strike Is now on
In deadly earnest. The conference held
yesterday, between the officials of the
company and the strikers executive
board. served only to widen the breach
between the men and the company, and
TO shatter all hopes of an immediate
settlement of existing difficulties.
The conference between the strikers
committee and General Manager Silli-
man and Director Il. W. Clarke. jr.. of
the company. began in the company's
office yesterday morning at 8 o'clock
and lasted for considerably over two
hours. The men tried to have Ma
tonal Board Member Reeves admitted
to the conference. but the company
officials would not allow this. on the
ground that they would confer with
their own members and none others.
Director Clarke outlined the COM
pany's ultimatum to the men. He said
that the incident of the two discharged
conductors was closed: that they would
not be reinstated under any consider
alton. and that the company would not
agree to submit the proofs of any mans
dishonesty TO an arbitrator in the
future. in case that any man was dis
charged.
MUST RETURN TO WORK FIRST.
He further announced that the men
would be taken back as individuals and
not as a union, and that the company
would not agree to say whether or not
the contract entered into last spring
would be lived up to. In other words
he would not agree to say what the
j.>
they return to work. The committee
informed him that this meant an un-
conditional surrender on the part of the
men and left, announcing that the
question would be put to q vote at a
meeting to be held in the afternoon.
The meeting was held in Carpenters
hall in the afternoon and was attended
by all but few members of the union.
1t was unanimously and enthusiastic
ally decided to remain on strike, and
to make "A fight to the bitter end.
National Board Member Reeves said
last night to Tribune man that the
question now at stake is the preserva-
ton of the life of the union. The re-
instatement of the two discharged con-
ductors does not enter into the fight
now at all. he said. These men are to
bring proceedings in libel against Cen
eral Manager Silliman to compel him
to prove his accusations, and the strik-
ers will have nothing more to do with
their cases for this reason.
THE men will now insist" said Mr.
Reeves, that they be taken back as Il
union. They will insist on a new con-
tract. to continue in force for one year.
The executive board will get together
tomorrow and will agree upon certain
demands, which they will insist upon
having inserted in a contract before
the men go back to work.
WILL ASK AN INCREASE.
"Among these demands will be one
for an increase in wages. Mr.. Clarke
told the men they would have to make
a fight when the life of the present
contract expires in a few months, and
they have decided to make that fight
now. Let it be understood that the
question of the two discharged con-
ductOrs does not now figure in the case.
The men are fighting for the continu-
ance of their organization.'
The company succeeded yesterday in
running about half dozen cars on the
Petersburg and Green Ridge Suburban
lines, in addition to the two mail cars.
These cars We're manned partly by Off
cialS of the company and office help,
and partly by six men who We're i'm
ported yesterday. A few passengers
We're carried.
There was not much disorder of any
consequence. One of the Green Ridge
cars was stoned by boys on North
Washington avenue, near Price and
Howarth's lumber yard and one or
two windows We're broken. The work
of obstructng the track still continues.
The men had their usual Dickets on
duty all day at the several railroad
stations, but they didn't succeed in get
ting a line on any imported men.
General Manager Silliman issued the
following notice yesterday, announcing
that those who apply first for positions
after noon today will be given the best
places ON the seniority list:
scranton Railway Company
NOTICE.
10 Employees OF the scranton Railway Company
Now Absent from Work;
Ii you desire TO continue in the omploy of
this COMPANY we ask YOU 10 notify us in person
or by letter on or before Friday, Oct. 1, 1901,