New-York tribune., 1902-01-14
DARK AND STILL ONE HOUR
STRIKE OF STATEN ISLAND ELEc.
TRICIANS STOPS CARS AND
CHECKS LIGHTS.

Without the least warning so the officials o. n,
company say, thirty-three men, comprising the tay
force at the power house OF the New-York and
Staten Island Electric Company az Livingston
Staten Island quit work yesterday. The action cue
on all power the various lines OF the company's
trolley system besides Gripping the street and COM
mercial lighting circuits which shortly 70 be
turned on The street lines tied Up were the Ines
from South Beach to Mariners Harbor. the Castle
ton Heights line and the Bulls Head division All
the cars stopped Just where they were, and thu
motormen and conductors sat down TO wait for
power.
General Manager Swinarton OF the COMPANY
was on his way the power house 10 make IN
usual inspection when the power cut OF. Es
walked 10 the power house and entered Just "a
time 10 see the men with their street clothing on
going out The apparatus on the lower floors vas
deserted The clerks and superintendents IN tbs
offices on the upper floor were much surprised
their chief and said that ths men had expressed
no grievance. had presented demand. but hsd
without the slightest warning quit work Thsy
had maintained absolute silence after stopping
work and had refused reply 10 questions put b..
their superiors.
Mr.. Swinarton at once tslephoned to the Midland
Electric Company. which has power house in an
other part OF the island and which has In winter
superfiuity OF power. Within hour the Midland
company turning power into the wires Of tbs
Staten Island company through a connection nAds
a couple OF years ago in a somewhat similar enisrt
SenCy. With this power tns various Hles "eIs
started the delay TO each having been sixty
minutes.
Meanwhile the Staten Island company's officials
had been hustling and shortly after O'Clock tn5
commercial circuits which light stores ana resit
dences were all in running order. Next the streea
lights were put In shape - ii
The company made no overture 20 the men, snS
did not ask why they had quit Mr. Swinarton
said that who went out wOtld ever ssa-'
work for the company
When one OF the strikers was seen oy a reporues
and asked for explanation he told the reports,
do what he was doing-that Is. Try ana LEG
out ,-u -.
The strikers met last night in DOnOvan'5 Han az
Broadway and Richmond Terrace, West Brgnton.
George Fox who had been chief engineer OF tna
plant presided. No details OF the meeting Wers
given out A committee was appointed 70 wait on
MIR SwinartOn He will probably refuse 10 receive
the committee beyond meeting the men and tellns
them that each must return TO Work oy sp!!--
cation to his immediate boss. There seems no IKE
lihood of the getting back. as. when the news
OF the strike became public, Mr. Swlnarton pesal'
to receive kilograms from Nev-Iork. BrookLyn
Newark Elizabeth and other places asking I9f
streets were lighted and the current from the Nla
plant was able run the cars Mr.. Swinarton saiI
last night that he expected there would De a rus1
of men wanting work in the morning who couia
relieve the night shift, -.
II Is understood that the strike was largey
caused by the superseding of Chief Engineer foAss
He was yesterday partly replaced by a man nans1
Rain. who. il is said, is not union man. sam ~
said TO have been recently in the United Stalss
transport service 5 a chief engineer