The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-21

The coal drivers strike is expected to be
amcably adjusted at a meeting 10 be held
al 10 O'Clock this morning between the COM
mIttces from the drivers union and dealers
and team owners.
The teamsters' union held meeting at
headquarters No. 1920 Franklin avenue, last
night and discussed the situation thor
oughly.
A committee from the team owners and
coal dealers appeared before the union and
asked for a conference with the drivers
committee and the hour this morning was
agreed upon.
\. Allen. business agent for the Team
stcrs' Union. stated last night that the
drivers would not yield; that they were
holding out for what they demanded. and
would ACCEPT no other terms.
OWNERS WERE GIVEN TINE.
"Au this trouble could have been avoid
ed" said Allen. We gave the owners
and dealers twenty-one days to consider
the matter but they did nothing. There
was = difference of only so cents. very
small amount for the work. OF course, we
may be blamed for this. but when the
public learns that there was ample time
to adjust the matter we may not be so Sc
verely criticised.
Il think however. that at the meeting to
be held in the morning everything will be
settled satisfactory to all concerned. and
by tomorrow afternoon the coal wagons
will be moving along as usual"
The strike Of the drivers yesterday morn
ing came upon the dealers and coal-tean,
owners without warning, and as a result nc
coal was delivered over the city yesterday
excepting by express wagons and in other
unusual ways.
The Coal Transfers Union is composed o:
practically all the drivers for the large
firms. and the sudden action of the men
was a great surprise to the dealers.
Wednesday the drivers. through a COM
mittee. made a demand upon the dealers
and team owners for an advance in wages
The Increase was not granted, but the deal
ers and owners asked for a conference II
the matter The meeting was held Thurs
day. at which the drivers formally present
ed their demands.
SCALE OF INCREASE ASKED.
The scale of increase wanted was SO q
week for drivers Of one-horse wagons. 81;
for two-horse wagons. Sl4 for three-horst
wagons. and $3.50 for four-horse wagons
The demands were In excess of the scale
the committee representing the dealers had
been authorized to pay, and as com
promise the following scale was submitted
50 50 for one-horse; $l2 for two-horse; sl4S
for three-horse. and SIG. 30 for four-horse.
The committee representing the drivers
stood firm for their demands. The commit,
tee for the deasers: IS however, assured them
that the compromise scale would be paid
and that they would use their influence &c
secure the drivers demands
The drivers declined to accept these terms
and served notice upon the committee act
ing for the dealers that an answer was ex
pected by 10 o'clock Thursday night.
WAGONS ABANDONED IN STREET.
The dealers pleaded for more time, ex.
planning that it was a difficult matter for
a meeting OF all the dealers to be ar.
ranged In so short a time, but the driv-
ers were determined and refused to gran,
further time. and as result no coal wag-
ons were driven over the streets yesterday
Several attempts We're made to deliver coal
but in each instance the driver of the
wagon was persuaded by the strikers to de-
sert the coal and many loads were left
standing in the middle of the street in va
rious sections of the city.