The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1903-11-13
DISORDER PROMPTLY FOLLOWS
INAUGURATION OF CHICAGO
STREET CAR STRIKE.
THREE THOUSAND EMPLOYEES ARE OUT
COMPANY AFFECTED CONTROLS
ALL SURFACE LINES ON
THE SOUTH SIDE.

Chicago, Nov. 13.-At 4 a. m. the
long expected and often deferred
struggle between the union employees
of the Chicago City railway and the
company began and when the resi-
dents of the South and Southwest
sides of the city started for their
places of business they were without
their usual transportation facilities.
Beginning at midnight the trainmen
gradually took their cars to the seven
barns of the company scattered
throughout the system and left them
there. In the shops, barns and power
houses the union workers laid down
their tools and quit, declaring that
they will remain idle until the COM
pany consents to arbitrate the issue
that brought on the controversy.
Notwithstanding statements by Of
ficials Of the company that no attempt
would be made to run cars except for
postal service few passenger cars
were started early on various lines.
The result was trouble almost in
stanter the first instance reported be-
ing the intimidation and flight of
nonuniOn crew on the Cottage Grove
Avenue line. The cars were without
passengers.
Many Policemen on Duty.
With general orders to remain in
reserve and take no part in the strike
unless ordered and then only to pro
tect property details of police were
sent to the various car barns. In ali
2O5 policemen We're detailed to the diff
ferent car barns.
Early in the morning efforts were
made by the street car company to-
move passenger cars with nonuniOh
crews. -Four trains were started ON
the Cottage Grove Avenue cable line
bound toward the business district
At Fortieth street an obstruction upon
the rails blocked the trains. A crowd
OF strikers had assembled and shouts
and jeers greeted the train crews. 4
shower of stones followed and car
windows were demolished
One man, a nonunion conductor, H.,
said to have been injured in the first
clash. A mail car following the first
passenger train was also derailed near
the scene of the blockade
A car on the Wentworth Avenue line
proceeded north with little difficulty
until Van Buren, street was reached.
There it's progress was blocked by
trucks and delivery wagons, which
gathered by the score, locked wheels
and refused to move. Cars of the
Union Traction company also helpeo
to make the blockade complete Thou
sands Of pedestrians on their way TO
work massed in the street adding to
the confusion and hampering the po
lice in their efforts to clear a way for
the stranded car
Gripman Severely Injured.
Another cable train was derailed at
Forty seventh street on the Cottage
Grove Avenue line by crowd of
strike sympathizers. A horseshoe was
wedged in the cable slot and brought
the train to a standstill. The grip
man was injured by the shock and
was removed to a drug store. A ply
sician called to attend him is said to
have inquired il he had union but
ton. On receiving negative reply,
he said: "Take him to the barns.
They will attend to him there" and
refused to examine the gripman's in
juries.
1t soon became apparent that de-
termined effort was being made by
the company to break the strike at
the inception. The passenger cars
OH the Cotton Grove and Wentwortn
Avenue lines came along quickly as
soon as mail cars were safely out of
sight. No policemen rode in the cars,
which were almost invariably empty.
Patrons apparently preferred to walk
or make long detours to steam or
elevated lines rather than risk in
jury
Boss Strike Breaker Injured.
The worst disorder of the early
hours was at Clark and Van Buren