The St. Louis Republic., 1901-01-05
DICSUSSES THE ST. LOUIS
STREET RAILWAY STRIKE.

u
strike. Governor Stephens says:
Early in 1900 dispute arose between the
st. Louis Transit Company and its employees
over wages. hours Of labor and other mat
ters, which threatened TO culminate In n
strike Of the employees Of said company, hut
on March 10 an agreement was entered into
which appeared to amicably adjust the 6lf-
ferences between the parties directly in
terested Soon thereafter n movement vas
started to organize the employees of said
company into what is known as the Amalga-
mated Association OF Street Car Employees
OF America Upon the refusal Of the officers
or tho Transit Company 20 comply with
certain demands made by the members of
the association chief among which was the
formal recognition Of their union, a general
strike was ordered by the officers Of the as
ISOLATION on May 7.
accordance with the provisions OF existing
arbitration laws. Icbor Commissioner
Thomas Il. Rixey 'sndered his services as
medi9tor OF the d,spu e, but was assured
that the parties interested would be able to
reach satisfactory adjustment without
assistance. When the strike was de-
clared. on May :. Mr.. Rixey again endeav-
ored to have the differences between the
Transit Company and its employees arbi-
trated. but was answered by the officers Of
the company that, as there was no dispute
between It and its OhenD present employees.
II had nothing to arbitrate. a citizens
committee composed of prominent business
men was formed for the purpose Of effect
ing n settlement of the differences between
the Transit Company and its striking en-
ployes. but did not succeed. Approximately
1900 street car employees were engaged In
this strike which continued for a consider
able time. II was estimated the company
lost about 81 100000. the employees about
$4,000 and the business interests OF ST.
Louis and the surrounding country several
millions OF dollars through obstructed and
diverted trade. not taking into consideration
the loss to the reputation OF the city and
the State.
During the existence Of this strike con-
siderable lawlessness prevailed. resulting I'm
the death OF fourteen persons, the woundinR
of many more and the destruction OF much
property. Urgent and repeated appeals
were made TO me by the officers OF the city
of St Louis and others more or less in
terested to order out the State Militia 10
suppress the disorder: but believing that
the police powers conferred upon the mu-
nlcipai officials. il properly invoked. were
fully equal 10 the suppression OF all iawlest-
ness and the restoration Of peace and good
order and that military force should only
be applied as a last resort. / persistently
refused to order out the militia. The Police
Board and the Sheriff, through an Increase
Of their forces restored order. and business
gradually assumed its normal condition
This strike demonstrated the insufiiciency
of our present arbitration laws. the gen.
eral public is concerned in all disputes be-
tween employers and their employees and
this is especially true where the employer
is engaged I'm conducting public utility.
the interruption Of which interferes with
the pleasure convenience or material in
terests of the public. The consensus OF In
teIligent public sentiment favoTS the settle
ment OF disputes between employers and
their employees by arbitration. Many OF
the States now have arbitration boards.
whose efforts appear To result very satis-
factorily to all concerned.
Your attention t. respectfully directed 70
this subject with the confident belief that
you will give IT such consideration as its i'm
pgrtanpo meritS'