The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-29
STRIKE BREAKERS ARRIVE
 TO AID TRACTION COMPANY
breakers on Court Square during t early evening. 6

breakers on Court Square durtnS
 speciai Deputies Appointed. On application of the Montgo ~ry Traction Company. Sheriff Belser ap- pointed special deputies to protect the company's property in the event of disturbances. The deputies were sworn in by the Probate Judge and the Clerk of the City Court and reported for duty at the car barn at o'clock yesterday morning when more cars, each carrying an officer. were put out for the day.
 According to General Manager Rag land, the deputies were directed not to collect fares but to act only In guard ing the safety of the property. From the deputies. 1t was learned that, when asked to serve as conduc- tors. they declined and alighted from the cars. One deputy declined to re- place a trolley on the wire and others objected to performing services which they regarded as the duties of conduc- tors. They took the position that their duties consisted altogether In presorv- ing law and order.
 A deputy on Riverside Park car said that, early in the day, his nerves were strained by the explosion of two torpedoes on the tracks in North Montgomery. He says the reports as the car ran over the explosives were loud and he did not know what the cause was until he alighted from the car and examined the ground. He re- ported the incident to the company, but did not attempt to say who placed the torpedoes on the track Although ten street cars were start Cd out yesterday morning, the number varied at times during the forenoon on account of the arrest of sevral of the company's car men, thereby leaving the cars without crews. But by noon and during the afternoon. tn enumber of cars remained at about ten. The deputy sheriffs serving yester- day were: H. A. Belser, F. F. Tay- Tor, W. H. Maybin, W. A. Haynes, c. H. Norman, F. F. Davant, w. T.. Jud- kins. J. c. Pou, and w. H. Crusius. The deputies are being paid by the company.
 Arrival of strike Breakers.
 Feverish excitement was caused in the strikers camp at o'clock in the afternoon when Louisville and Nash vile passenger train No. 1, arriving Tour hours late, brought twenty three strike breakers to Montgomery. The strike breakers were met at the union railway station by General Manager Ragiand, force of special deputies ana member of the company's coun- seL The party proceeded up Comuerce
 
 being eyed askance by the strikers. Advancing through crowd of strik CTS. the non-union men were put aboard car and hurried to the car barn where they were made employees of the company and given instructions. Between 4 and o'clock, a car con- taining about twelve of the strike breakers and Mr. Ragland. left the barn. and at the corner of Madison Avenue and Union street a Pickett | Springs ear was met and two of the non-union men were put aboard the Pickett Springs car. beginning duties as it's crew.
 The remaining strike breakers were then taken to Court Square and went Ragland. There they received further instructions, after which some. if not | all, Of them were assigned to duties | on cars which reached the Square. More Arrive at Night.
 Another crowd of strike breakers arrived Tn the city during the early evening, this time there being but five men, who came from Nashville This made total of twenty eight men. The men who arrived yesterday came from number of cities, including St. Louis, Louisville, Nashville and Bir- mingham. They are furnished. 1t Is said, by agencies.
 | arrived, or who are to arrive hereafter are experienced street car men. there being no inexperienced men, either To- cal or imported, placed in charge of cars.
 Another lot of men is expected to arrive today from Philadelphia, 1t is learned.
 Free Rides on Cars.
 During the greater part of the day the cars were operated free of charge | to the public. Though many of the cars had considerable passenger traf- flc, no efforts were made to collect fares. As soon as the strike breakers were pressed into service, however. they were directed to begin collecting fares.
 MT. Ragand was in a state of ner- vous tension both morning and after l noon. A great part of his time was spent on Court Square, where he jumped on and off cars as they rolled in. He would usually step on the front platform, have word with the crew and see it safely across the Square, after which he would alight and await the appearance of another car.
 Sleeping accommodations have been l provided for the strike breakers at the car barn and preparations were also made to provide them with food | at the same place. It was known, also, that a number of meals were or- dered from restaurants for the men in the company's service.
 Letters from the Central Labor Coun- oil, addressed to the Commercial Club, requesting that body to interest itself
 in adjusting the difficulties between the Montgomery Traction Company and the employees of that company were read at the meeting of the Commercial Club last night. The letters were re- l ferrad to the Board of Direcfors