The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-23

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winch number Of them, represe1tiils
various denominations, Is seeking 10
bring about a settlement OF the strlke.
The ministers met yesterday and deslg-
mated committee TO draw up paper
10 be submitted to an adjourned meet
ing, to be held this afternoon at O'Clock.
IL the paper drawn by the committee
be adopted by the meeting, 1t VIII then
DO sent to the Passenger and Power
Company and to the organization OF
strikers. and by them discussed ana
acted on as may seem best. The plan
seems to be to have tho committee which
arbitrated the differences between the
men and tho company last year say
whether or not the agreement then en-
tered into was or was not intended and
designed or understood to be for year
or for some specific period whether or
not this movement will result in accom-
plishing anything Is a matter of con-
lecture purely. The impression seems
to be that 1t Is now too late to attempt
to construe the intent and understand
ing Of the arbiters last year. The move
ment indicates, however. that the public
are growing tired OF existing conditions
and will demand settlement of some
kind very soon.
Situation is Serious.
1t is useless to disguise tho fact that
tho situation has grown serious, emery
through the assembling OF large crowds
ut certain points and the advantage
which the lawless take OF such SHIELDS
from discovery and punishment of their
violations OF tho law. AS long as the
cars were merely being operated along
Main Street the police force could pre-
vent the congestion of crowds. but the
thin blue line Is not strong enough 10
dominate at the same time all the streets
over which cars run. rs was cVlocnt
from tho inability OF the officers TO dis-
pcrsc the crowd at Eighteenth and Broad
Streets yesterday
Tho officials Of the company mad no.
thing to say yesterday as to their plans
to-day. They declare that they have men
to operate tho cars and that they are
ready to do so, II afforded police protec-
ton. There are now in the employ OF the
company about $50 men, tho majority OF
them strike breakers from New York anu
Philadelphia but according to an Official
OF the company mado yesterday TO re-
porter. men are volunteering their ser
vices to tho company, some coming from
other cities in the State, and nearly -all
experienced street railway employees. The
management of the company. 1t Is under
stood. are not finding difficulty In getting
mon. but is said to be their policy not 10
employ any largo force permanently.
With tho resumption Of operations on all
lines the company will as steadily and az
rapidly as possible extend tho service to
the usual hours. Some Of the officers
OF the company are hopeful that the
backbone or the strike has been broken.
NO IDEA OF YIELDING.
Tho men. however. laugh Mt these as
scrtions and declare that they arc as
strong as when they first went out, and
that they have no idea OF yielding the
struggle. Tho men are receiving contri-
buttons OF money, orders and goods and
are enthusiastic in their stand. Strict or
ders are being issued to them at every
meeting to avoid participating in crowds
and to discourage any lawlessness on the
part of any one.
Mr. Rein Orr, OF Detroit, returned Sun
day evening from Brooklyn. whittier he
had been called on business connected
with the general organization. He was
present at the meetings OF the men yes
terday. He was interviewed by reporter
for The Times-Dispatch last night. When
asked as to the probability Of settle
ment OF the strike, he replied:
II firmly believe there will BIO a settle
ment''
How long do you think the strike will
last now?"
.That is pretty hard to answer" After
a moments dcliberation. Mr.. Orr said:
IT don,s believe st will last over a week
longer We never yet have had q strike
where all the men that came out stayed
out as these men arc doing that wo did
not get settlement"
what do you mean by settlement
some amicable termination of the striker
Yes"
End Not Sight.
That Is about all the hope that can be
held out, certainly from the standpoint
oc the men, OF a termination of the strike.
From the company no prophecies or pre-
dictions Of any kind can be had. eve
will run tho cars" is about the substance
OF the company's statements on the SUBJ
ject OF the strike With neither side in
dicating the slightest sign OF weakening.
the prospect of q termination is not cheer
inE