Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-06
Calhoun May Appeal
to the Federal
Authorities
Violence Feared When
Strike Breakers
Appear
Motormen and Conductors Demand
Three Dollars and Eight Hours.
Car Barns Are Well
Picketed
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 5.-Not
wheel turned on the street car systems
of this city today. In lieu of the cars
there was a nondescript collection OF
vehicles from sleek automobiles to
ramshackle express wagons, conveying
at varying prices those who did not
care to walk from the Ferry building
UP town and to and from various Sec
tions of the city.
This condition was brought about by
the action of the motormen and con-
ductors of the United Railroads at an
early hour this morning when they
voted to declare a strike after having
failed to obtain an eight-hour day and
fiat wage of So.
In previous strikes of car men in this
city the California and Geary street
systems have continued operations
subject to the settlement reached on
the United Railroads or the big system.
But today the Geary and California
street lines are silent.
Firemen on Strike
The motormen and conductors have
already been reinforced by the statino-
ary firemen, who have demanded a
recognition of their union and an in
crease of wages from $2.75 to 1925 per
day. It is very probable that other
allied unions will come to the support
of the platform men. There was no
disorder today, as no attempts were
made by the railway officials to take
cars from the barns, but 1t Is expected
that the effort will be made tomorrow.
President Patrick Calhoun has made
the significant statement that the
United Railroads will operate it's lines
independently of the Carmen's union
and if resisted would demand from the
city and state authorities the full pro-
lection guaranteed by law.
The decision of the carmen to walk
out was reached at $3.50 o'clock this
morning after several hours Of warm
discussion Fifteen hundred men as
sembled at a. M, and when the meet
ing came to order President Richard
Cornelius of the union introduced a
motion to adopt the schedule of SO and
eight hours. The motion was greeted
with great applause and every speaker
who favored it was heartily cheered.
Few Oppose Strike
There were several speakers in oppo-
sition, but they were not well received.
At 3:15 o'clock the meeting was wrang-
ling over the question of the secret
ballot or a standing vote. The con-
seryatiye members of the union were
in favor of a secret ballot, but they
were strongly outvoted by the radicals
and at 1926 a motion to strike was
adopted by an overwhelming majority.
The meeting broke UP in confusion.
AS soon as the men on the Owl lines
were notified the cars were run into
the barns and 1000 men were out of
employment.
The officials of the United Railroads
have been making elaborate prepara-
tions to run cars in the event of
strike for some time, and they claim
to have several hundred experienced
men ready to take the places of those
who have quit. A number of car barns
and warehouses have been provided
with accommodations for the suste-
nance and lodging of the strike break
ers.
Farley in City
In the event of the city and state
being unable to provide protection In
case of serious trouble federal assist
ance may be invoked on the ground
that the United Railways Investment
company of New Jersey, which is the
holding corporation or the united
Railroads, is a corporation foreign to
this state. 1t is reported that Far
ley, the noted strike breaker, is in the
city and that he will have charge of
the strike breaking operations
A committee from the Civic league
of San Francisco, which consists of
delegates from the leading commercial.
civic and labor organizations, today
endeavored to bring about a settlement
t,.5 1cfv.f foI CT In Iaf off
The committee, consisting of Norton
G. Wells, Isidor Jacobs, Frank w.
Marvin, A. w. Scott Jr. and Robert
A. Roos. all prominent business men,
called upon Henry T. Scott, presi-
dent of the Pacific States Telephone
and Telegraph company; President
Calhoun of the United Railroads and
President Cornelius of the Garments
union and requested them in the inter-
ests Of the city aud Of the public to
submit the difficulties which have re-
suited in the strikes to arbitration.
- M