Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-06-24
rnE RIcHMoND STRIKE.

control. w hch INC -heyCa "'iN
police returned yesterday from the rioting
at the car barns they recognized that pc:
lice power was impotent to control the
misunderstanding crowds. Consultation
with other city officials resulted in re-
quest to Governor Montague for military
protection. The Governor, in conference
with the Adfutant General, at once for
mulated an order to the military COM
NAMES at Alexandria, Lynchburg, Roa-
noke. Danyille, Charlottesville, Staun-
ton. Farmyille aud Fredericksburg to re-
port for duty in Richmond at the earliest
possible moment. Five companies OF the
First Regiment in Richmond, two COM
panies of the Blues and Howitzers were
also included in the order, making 10 or
more companies in all.
twas evident to the citizens all day
that bloodshed would follow the riotous
demonstrations, and al sigh of relief went
mn when the first military arrived last
night from Alexandra and Frederlcks-
bnrg The order was not made public,
and the arrival OF the soldiers was the
first intimation to many citizens that the
outside military had been ordered to
Richmond.
The Richmond troops are quartered IN
their armories, ready forinstant reponse to
call. 1t is hoped that the presence OF
500 troops will Obviate the necessity oil
declaring martial law.
The opinion, the labor paper madolts
first appearance. Its articles were partl-
cularly strong in melting the strikers
against the men imported by the street
car company.
Riotons conduct prevailed along the
lines of the street railways in Richmond
Yesterday, and dangerous disorder fol-
lowed Immediately upon the attempt OF
the company to enlarge its operations in
the morning. A large force of men was
sent out at daylight to clear the tracks
of distractions placed on them during
the night in both the east and west ends
of the city. and the lines were again in
operation by s o'clock. Trouble quickly
came when 20 men under guards were
sent to the car barns to man the cars on
the CLAW street line. As each car passed
out Of the Earns it was assaulted WIN
bricks. and distractions were piled on
the track.
Motormen, conductors and the police
guarding the cars were frequently
struck and some Of them injured.
Mayor Taylor went to the scene and adj
dressed the crowd, but without effect.
He has been the workingmen's can
didate and idol, but he has been the OBJ
iect of much abuse because he did not
declare for the strikers. Yesterday he
told the men that unless they behaved
themselves better he would have to do
what he had hoped would be ayoided-
call out the militia. This they received
in silence, but when the Mayor resorted
to his old campaign methods ana
shouted: "Boys, am with you. You
see | am walking and will continue to
walk until this strike is over" the
crowd was wildly enthusiastic, and the
further words of warning were drowned
in the wells of his old-time admirers.
Chief Howard, who had hurried re-
serves to the scene, also addressed the
crowd. but almost under his nose the
rioters continued to attack the car men.
Again the mayor and the chief begged
: the crowd to be orderly to avoid the call.
ing out of the militia, which would
certainly be done if the disorder con
Timed. The mob around the car barns
piled rocks, stones and refuse into every
car that came that way. The Mayor
was himself the direct cause of one o
the men getting hurt. A car attempting
to run the blockade of strikers and theil
sympathizers was brought to standstil
by the mob while Mayor Taylor anC
the Chief was using their effort
, to persuade the rioters to be NOR
orderly. Mayor Taylor rushed forward
and ordered the motorman to go ahead
81 am the mayor of this city," h
shouted "and / tell you TO go RICH
ahead -
The man tried, but it was useless, AM
he was forced to back the car toward tn
, harm. AS he did so he was struck OF
! the head with brick and the bloo'
! flowed freely from the wound. The mai
e reached behind him and drew his re
: volyer, and the guards and employees o
the company who were on the car at tn
, time did the same thing The morton
| man was arrested and carried to the hrs
! police station, followed by the jeers o
the mob.
q A little later Conductor Hamlin ha'
= a similar experience. He was struck Il
$ the face with large stone aud vas yer.
e badly hurt. 1he mob increased and be
came more and more unruly, until a
, last the word came that the attempt
= omen the line should be abandoned.
! Eorteen men off the cars we're at thI
:, time inside the barns, and all were arm
= ed. the motormen and conductors hay
|, ing pistols the guards shotguns.
>. bowling mob made the air hideous wit
4 epithets outside, but the men SCENE
e uncOncerned.
n Later a car, carrying a strong guar
of special men with shotguns across the
laps. took the men on board and returne
10 to the headquarters at the Reservoir barns
: on the other side of the city. 1t was
e strange sight to see car armed as II Il
m war passing through the streets. III
'e company is arming all its men. The
(, have large number of guns ond pisto
r at the car barns, and are securing mor'
While these scenes were being Ell
< acted in the East End simili
1t ones were going on in the West Enc
: on the Laurel street line, also ju
y started up for the first time since the strik