New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-24
RTOTING IN CHICAGO.

The individual acts OF mischief and violence
which have marked the Chicago street railroad
strike from the beginning were followed yester-
day by actual rioting. II was not conducted on
an extensive scale, but it was determined and
plainly suggestive OF worse things TO come.
The strike was no sooner declared, ten days ago,
than the strikers, or those IN sympathy with
Them. began open hostiiities. The very first car
which the company tried 10 run was stopped by
distractions put in its way, and similar viola
fions OF the law quickly became general enough
80 produce virtual cessation of streetcar traffic
on the lines affected. Toward the end OF last
week, owing IN part 70 fairly adequate police
protection where cars were sent out, and in
part * would seem, 10 expectations Of a settle
nent the disorderly element was less active,
but yesterday the company's attempt TO open
SIS Important cable line in State-st was the sig
nal for a more vicious renewal Of hostilities.
Spikes were driven into the cable slot and rails
were laid across the track. On the electric
lines wires were cut, and on one or more streets
stones were brought in wagons from a distance
and dumped il the way Of the cars. Finally
mob which had blocked the tracks began to
throw stones. whereupon the police charged and
some shots were fired from revOlvers.
OF course. nobody ventures 10 pretend that
company from transacting its business was
sustifable. OF course. also, if the strike lead
ers should be questioned on the subject they
would answer, for publication. that al such
proceedings were contrary to their orders and
the work Of outsiders, for whose conduct they
were not responsible. At this distance it is i'm
possible 10 say how much, or little. truth there
would be in that representation OF the case. but
this at least is eyident-that the strikers. either
under the influence OF their leaders OF OF their
own TOliti0n, have done not a single thing TO
dissociate themselves from such outrages. In
deed. II there has been so much as a vigor-
Gus expression Of disapproyal on their part the
dispatches from Chicago have failed 20 mention
the fact. That they do not a body. regret
the offences committed Ostensibly for their
benefit is strongly indicated by the attitude OF
their legal adviser who hastenod 10 complain
OF Mayor Harrison for permitting policemen 10
ride on the cars and give the companys prop
prtv and Messengers a certain measure Of pro-
iection. He did not deny the interference and
the danger. but was aggreved because, as be
said the police were helping the company TO
win. How helping IL TO win? Why. merely by
preserving the peace so far as they could, en-
aiding the question Of the cOmpany's ability 20
man its cars 20 be tested and aifOrding citizens
fair chance 20 escape being stoned 20 death.
That is all. Tie police took sides neither for
nor against the strikers, with whom Il is prob
sble that most % them II not a majority % the
public originally sympathized.
The first demands OF The strikers have been
gradually modified, and IL might be wise and
right for the company to grant the concessions