Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-03-14
PARIS WAS DARK
An Unsxpsetsd Strike Of Electricians
Caused Great IncOnvsnisneS n
the French Capital.
BUSINESS WAS PARALYzED
Thsatsrs and stores Iossd-Nsws.
papers Unable to 90 to Prose
The Men Claim Contract
Had Been Broken.

fhr1b, Mhrcn IA Buuuon, VlfLuat
ly unanimous and unexpected strike
on the part Of practically all the cleo
tricians Of Paris at O'Clock Friday
afternoon resulted in the almost CON-
plete paralysis of the business Of the
city by the time night had fallen.
The inconvenience was very great.
A number OF theaters had to forgo
their performances, several Of the
evening newspapers were unable to
get out their editions and the great
department stores were hurriedly
emptied. The strikers demand the
fulflllment Of the premises to i'm
prove their condition which they
claim were made to them last July.
Many Of the great department stores
Of Paris, especially those In the cen
ter Of the city, rely entirely upon
electricity for lighting and heating.
These buildings are not piped for
gas, and when the electric lights
went out Friday evening no oil lamps
were on hand. As q result candles
had to be installed hurrledly in or
der to help the shoppers and the en-
ployes to leave the buildings.
The prefecture Of police, the build
ings of the various ministries and
the public institutions also were
without Light, and even the Elysee
palace was temporarily thrown into
darkness. The senate and the cham
Der of deputies are provided with
gas pipes and were therefore able to
get light and go on with their bust
ness.
Almost all the theaters, including
the opera and other Of the subsidized
houses, were compelled to put up an
that there would be no
performances and that the money
would be refunded at the doors.
The boulevards were practically in
darkness except for the glimmerlng
Of few gas gets. Only the Avenue
lie pOpera and small section Of the
Champs Elysees were illuminated by
the men working in the
plants supplying these districts re-
.urning to work early In the evening.
The many cafes and restaurants pre-
tented weird pictures, with flaring
candles on all the small round ia
lies.
1t was impossible to get out the
alter editions Of the afternoon news
,apers, and the offices Of the morn
ng papers were scenes Of confusion.
)nly the Parisien will appear in Its
I'LL size Saturday morning, this be- s
ause It possesses II own electric
liant. 6
The reasons for the strike by the n
are as follows: The a
ompany that supplies electricity y
as recently accorded concessions by v
lie municipal council, and It now re- c
ises to carry out certain resolutions $
assed by that body under which the Q
ectrical workers are granted an g. =
Dur day and old-age pensions. These $
lpulations are not written in the =
,ntract with the city, but It was .
nderstood that they would be grant y
|. The men are exasperated BY Y
hat they characterize as bad faith :.
| the part Of the company. and now %
aim recognition a. employees Of q
unicipal department with the privi-
ges attached to employment by the
which include vacations. 7.
y while they are sick, and the -
anting of pensions at a specified -
o. The strikers Friday night voted -
continue the strike until all their ~ y
inns were granted. ~