New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-29


courage thoroughly detested by the streetcar strk-
ers OF Chicago. more hated than the millionaires
who own the Chicago City Railway, is James Far
ley. better known Boss Farley. the king OF
strike breakers" Since the corporation decided to
fight its former employees II IS Boss Farley who
has borne the brunt OF assault from the riotous
strikers and their lawless sympathzers. He is the
terror OF the violent labor advocate. In the midst
OF The greatest dangers the man has shown himself
absolutely without fear Surrounded by bowling
mobs Of maddened and Infatuated women. his
demeanor has always been imperturbable. his calm
ness rousing his enemies 20 frenzys frantic pitch
Brave policemen who have shown extraordinary
courage when violence ragged under different con-
ditions marvel at the GOODNESS OF this sphinx as
he actually looks death in the face without
culver. -Four days before the men Of the Chicago
City lines went out their strike they knew that
noted leader OF strike breakers was coming to
this city 10 help the company out Of its dilemma
and force the running OF the cars. They announced
that he would not be permitted to pursue his Pc
culiar vocation and would meet q dogs death
They would show him that he in Missouri
and could not cope with the powerful labor unions
But the man. nevertheless. broke through the tie
up and the police gave the needed pro-
lection he succeeded IN getting cars running on
four Of the lines not schedule time, nor many
Of them. but ne demonstrated what could be done
IL rioters were held in check
And he survives with scarce q scratch on him.
leading the van In resisting the efforts Of the army
OF battling unionists block completely the opera
lions OF traction company whose various lines
carry hundreds OF thousands Of persons through
the most populous parts OF this city.
AS 70 the man himself. he is enigma to the men
with whom he contends. the men he works with and
the men who employ him That he is the determine ed
enemy OF union streetcar men is about all the
latter know regarding him. IN addition 10 the fact
that he has invariably succeeded in defeating
them In every war he has waged against them
Since he broke the car strike at Waterbury, Conn.
Farley had practically been at leisure and little
heard OF until the present strike in Chicago.
When announcement was made two weeks ago
that the boss strike breaker was coming here ito
get busy" the leaders OF the union streetcar raen
were alert determined to block his game at the
start
The officials OF the City Railway denied that
Farley was here that he had been hired to
break a ueup in case there was any OF course
the strikers looked upon this as a sblins" and
were more vigilant than IL their efforts to
discover their arch enemy and disable him before
he could damage their cause. When. after a COM
plete suspension OF operations for nearly forty
eight hours. due to the violence OF the strikers.
their supporters ana the lawless gangs OF hood
lums ever ready 20 take hand IN the work OF
manning individuals and destroying property, the
company secured sufficient fierce Of police to give
protection, the man the front platform OF the
first car TO start was Farley
With controller IN hand he stood ready await
Ing the signal to start When il was given, the
car sped rapidly midst the hovvlings and i'm
o.
motorman was recognized by the strikers q
man who. under the name OF Frank Curry had
been working for the City Railway for nearly a
year He known to have a grudge against
the carmen's union and TO have vowed 20 take
out the FIRST car ever the line was tied UP.
Bricks and other missiles. hurled at the man:
some struck him. more missed. but he moved
step. though the bluecoats at his side lodged
inside the The man OF iron nerve went IN
scathed through the showers OF deadly missiles
and heavy things thrown al il by wicked hands,
but Curry" Farley stood at his post un-
moved. he brought his back TO the barns
half wrecked and waited for orders to take out
another.
Curry none other than Farley. The name is
only OF many by which he is known In various
cities where he has acted as the leader OF car
strike breaking gangs. In some places he is
Boss" Farley, in others Farrell still others Fer
rel. and here he goes by the alias OF Frank Curry
That fact has been established by the car union
leaders. Every day since the first attempt was
made TO resume the operation Of cars Curry has
been the leader Of the small force OF men who are
in charge OF the cars. He has been attacked
Of times. struck by rocks. bricks pieces OF
iron. in fact all sorts OF missiles that would have
resulted in serious injuries TO almost any other
man. and has had revolvers showed into his face
but he never blinked. only putting his as
saIlants flight by his bold attitude Of silent de-
hance His eyes cowed rioters more than his re-
volver
The man is a more powerful fellow than he looks
20 be He is OF the average height. broad Shout
dereo and weighs close 20 % pounds. Farley him
sef admits that he is strong and trained athlete.
lie SAYS too that he is good wrestler. He is
taciturn. short OF speech and unapproachable- He
won't talk about his business. 10 his immedi-
ate superfors-only 10 the general manager who
hires him. and then very briefly. Farley only ex-
poets get orders and execute them 20 the letter
All the streetcar officials handle him with gloves.
He has bulldog face. 10 the small blue eyes
Get deep IN HIS head. and a mouth that snaps
when Il closes. His face has no more expression
than n ne were driving his across some
stretch OF prairie track and there was strike.
His eyes the track ahead. his hands on the
controller and the brake, and he never speaks ex-
oept 20 curse q teamster who blocks the way. Tbs
roar OF cries and imprecstions directed at him
fsils 70 reach Farley's ears-at least his express
sionless face would seem 20 indicate that IL does
not Al any rate. he does not care. When asked
~ he does not sometimes experience fear for him
self his sole answer is. "'Frsid7 HUH
Fully a score O. striking streetcaS men who have