The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1905-10-19
STREET CAR MEN
FAIL TO GO TO WORK
They Claim it is a Lockout,
and Not a Strike.
The Running OF Cars Not Affected
New Men In Their Places
Without Delay.
WHAT EACH SIDE SAYS OF IT

A strike or lockout of street car
motormon and conductors was in
augurated this morning on Paducah
Traction and Light company Assist
ant Superintendent McNellly stated
that only eleven employees refused to
go To work today. four of whom were
motormen and the remainder conduc-
tors. The company regards 1t as a
strike. The labor men say il is lock-
out
The cars were all manned at the
usual time, however, by other men,
and there was no inconvenience or
delay In the schedule. The number of
employees recently discharged and
those who went out today will proba-
bly, not exceed 1 5 or 90. The compa-
ny anticipates no difficulty in run
ming its cars. and is understood to
have about GO applications for posi-
tions, indicating that it will have no
trouble finding men.
Tho strike Is the result of differ
ences between the company and some
of the employees who belong to a re-
Gently organized union.
The Sun received copy of the
union mems statement this afternoon
full. Briefly the employees statement
is: That the company upon learning
of the organization of a union, set
out to destroy II by threats and in
as well as by persuasion.
The men decided TO stand firm. They
had no intention of making any de-
mands on the company at this time.
Tho company began discharging the
union men two or three at time un-
I'll fourteen were let go. The old
management refused to meet a com
mittee of union men as such Later
the new management declined to do
the same thing. but finally received
the members as individuals. but
would not discuss the organization of
the union. or assure them that the
remaining union men would not be
discharged. They declined to promise
10 cease hostllities against the union
even until Mr.. Pratt could go to Bos-
ton and place the matter before Mr..
Webster. of the Stone a. Webster Co.
This, in brief. is the statement of the
discharged street car men.
The homogeneous side Is that
they are new men in Paducah and
desire to give the public the best
possible service at the least possible
cost to the people. but desire to run
the road and other properties here
in accordance with their own ideas
of how ii should be done According
to General Manager Becker, the
company does not consider man S
age. religion, nationality or afiilia-
tion with any organization when he
makes application fer work, and II
cannot promise TO divulge in every
case the reason an employe is dis
charged. Ii desires and intends to
treat its men fairly and honorably
and pay them just wages, the man
agcment states, but further than this
cannot pledge itself. When the com
mittee yesterday finished its confer
ence with the management, the
spokesman, according to General
Manager Blocker, said that he was
glad 10 have made the ACQUAINTANCE
of the gentlemen; and was "sorry we
can't arbltrate." Mr.. Blocker said
that he replied that he could see
nothing to arbitratc, as none of the
company's employees had any griev-
ance, so far as the company was
aware.
The management intimates that
its idea is that better discipline can
be maintained among its employees
and better service given the public,
by conducting the management free
from any outside influences or re-
strictions. This is as far as the mat
ter has gone thus far.