Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-03-15


idle. their ranks likely TO be greatly
swellcu by sympathetic votes OF III"
Building Trades Council and the Rus,
ton Central Labor Union, which meet
tonight, and the entire city beginning
to suffer from the effects Of cong, Strd
traffic. the only ray of light visible is
the hope that the conference OF bust
ness interests which has been arranged
for today may lead to Il settlement Of
the strike.
This conference, which Is due in Il
large measure to the influence of Gov
crnor Crane, was arranged late yeSt"r-
day afternoon at ii meeting Of TIL" rep
rcSpntatives of the Boston Chamber of
Commerce. the Boston Associated
Board of Trade and the Boston Nlrr-
chants association. with the state
board of arbitration. Everyone Irrs-
ent realized the seriousness of the sit
uatiOn, and after an Interchange of
opinions. it was decided that the best
way of getting at public opinion would
be to call Il conference of business men
of the city, at which. among others, the
presidents of the produce exchange. the
coal exchange. and of all the railroads,
will be invited. 1t is also hoped that
representatives of the Civic Frucrl-
tion may also be present.
During the day Governor Crane Lad
n long talk with the committee Of the
Allied Transportation Council. having
the strike in charge. but at its cOncu-
sion he announced that he could see no
way at present of solving the profile 4.
Laterhe sent for Mayor Collins. and the
two executives were in conference for
some time.
a little later Mayor Collins made n
statement that he had no power to act
lie said further: Until the railroad
officials consent to having the diff
ferences considered by an arbitration
board. there is nothing more we can
do. They are obdurate. therefore our
hands are tied. The governor and II v
self have done all in our power to rem
der assistance. The answer from SEN
ator Hanna does not leave further
opening for working for an Immediate
settlement. The saloons cannot be
closed until rioting starts There
is no riOting. and only when there is
can the power to close them be OK
erciScd."
The railroad company against which
the strike is chiefly directed. the New
York, New Haven and Hartford sh ows
no inclination to ask for Interference
by the National Civic Federation. ana
reiterlteS what it has said from the
first. that its duties as Il common car
ricr are defined by law and that it is
compelled to handle all freight de-
livered to it. whether by uni, ol non
union teams. and that it has no option
in the matter. This position. If nd-
hercd to by the company, may result in
the refusal of the federation to in
trrrere in the quarrel. as it desires Il re-
quest from both parties to Il con
troversy before taking up the matter
Freight business at the various rail
roads, wharveS and docks is almost at
Il standstill and the moving of ac-
cumulatcd merchandise is becoming n
most serious matter to the merchants.
The strike of coal tcamstcrs is one Of
the most aggravating features, and It's
effect was quickly felt ut hotels,
restaurants and places having accom-
mediation for only limited supply of
coal, and coal dealers We're kept busy
answering appeals from anxious Gus
toners for coal which could not be de-
livered. Several of these applicants
stated that unless coal was forthcom-
ing at once they would be forced to
close their business.
Many of the teams Of the Adams. Ma
tiOnal and local express companies.
whose drivers are not affiliated with the
TcamSterS union. We're at work yeS.cr-
day. but today all went out with the
exception of the T,nited States EN-
press company's men. who belong to no
union. There is also a movement to
call out the hack and cabmen. who,
since the strike of the Armst .onr
transfer company's drivers, nave been
transferring more or less baggage for
passengers across the city.
nv '''N'iN 'ihpIoNtS VIII. 1t IS
said. be locked out by Friday if the
strike continues. as the supply of coal
on hand at the various hrpwcries will
give out by that time and work will
have to be suspended.
The meetings OF the Ccntr: Labor
Union and of the Building Trades
Council tonight are awaited with great
interest. 1t is the general belief that
although such action will he bitterly
fought. the meeting will endorse the
strike to the extent of ordering r,it tie
90 bodies affiliated in its membership
1t is also believed that the Rulli lg
Trades Council will also take oinilap
action as a matter of principle.
Meteor's Mainmast Stepped.
New York. March 13-The ma,nmost
Of Meteor III, which is being built for
fhn (,nrmnn