Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-03-09
TrafIic Conditions Improved.

/ lions on the subway and elevated lines
of the marlborough Rapid Transit Com
psny showed a marked improvement
over the conditions which obtained yes
terday and the officials of the company
confidently assert this morning that the
backbone of the strike of the five thous-
and employees is broken. Several of the
trains ia the subway were manned today
by strikers, who have returned to work.
The company hopes to have the roads
running on normal schedule by Satur-
dsy. The subway is moving both local
and express trains. and is rapidly APP
preaching tho usual running schedule.
One hundred aud fifty experienced strike
breakers arrived this morning from Bos-
| ten.
1t was said this morning at the COM
pany's Office that while many men who
had gone on strike had returned, it was
the purpose of the company to carefully
examine the records of those who applied
for reinstatement. General Manager
Frank Hedley says that only such men
as are needed to operate the trains will
be re. employed, and not one OF the
strike breakers, who shows ability, will
be dismissed to make room for those who
went on strike.
Efforts were made today TO induce the
strike breakers to quit their post, but
without much success. The police were
stationed on all trains and stations
and quickly quelled any disorder or
violence. The strike leaders will do
their utmost today to induce the three
hundred stationary 9remen in the power
houses which supply the electricity to
the subway, and elevated lines, to go
out on sympathetic strike. They have
already appealed to the fremen to go
out, but their appeals has not been
listened to. Only q few of the firemen
are union men.
Representatives of the strikers will
apply to the Supreme Court today for an
injunction to compel the company TO-
put back the emergency brakes which
were taken out of the cars on Monday.
These brakes were taken out because in
formation reached the company to the
effect that strikers wsuld interfere with
the operation of trains by pulling these
brakes.
Fear that the surface men will go out
on strike has passed, as the efforts made
to get them TO go out have failed.
New York, March 9.-While the en-.
poyes Of the marlborough Rapid Tran.
sit Company are demanding higher wages
and shorter hours, the strike on the
system is virtually against the continu-
ance in power of Frank Hedley, the
general manager of the road. Hedley
once broke up the union on the elevated
road in Chicago, and when he was
brought here, two years ago, tight was
waged against him and kept up by the
union. With five thousands men against
him, Hedley says he can win the strike.
Hedley rose from the ranks of labor by
sheer hard work and industry, aud his
career is interesting. When but 20
years old Hedley came from his home in
England to this country ~ seek for work.
That was inlSSl. He obtained work
in the Erie Railroad shops at 81. 40
day, and remained there for five years,
learning all the details of the work.
Later he went to work for the New York
Central railroad and after year was
employed by the Manhattan road. He'd
ley was then getting three dollars day.
He became master mechanic of the Kings
county elevated, and while working for
the road attracted the attention of Chas.
T. Yerkes, who took him to Chicago,
where he was made Superintendent of
the Lake street elevated. At nights
he studied electricity and patented
trolley scraper and device to protect
third rails. He soon became General
Superintendent of the Amalgamated
Chicago roads, and when August Bel
mont cast about for a general manager,
for the marlborough, be selected Frank
HedIey. His salary is s25. 900 year.
He has much to do with the preparation
Of the subway and its operation of
moving trains.
Service on the subway was virtually
normal this afternoon, and the com.
pany's officials announced that the road
was fully manned. Work OF manning
the elevated trains is progressing
rapidly, aud the company expresses the
opinion that the overhead lines will be
running on their normal schedules by
tonight, or tomorrow. They reported
that veraI,slrikers had returned 10 work
during the day. Strikers headquarters
was gloomy this afternoon ove- the ost.
look. Efforts to get the hremen at the
power houses to go out have so far