The Washington herald., 1907-09-07
.DRIYERQUI7SHEARSB
Union Wrangle Blocks Fu-
neral for an Hour.
POLICE RESERVES ARE CALLED
Organizations Refuse to Drive in
Same Procession and COrtege
Breaks Up Into Three Sections,
Taking Separate Routes 10 Gene
tery-HeHrse Proceeds Alone.

New York, Sept. G.-Solemn requiem
mass was said over the body of Michael
Feeley, at st. Vincent de PauTs Church,
in Williamsburg, this morning, and over
900 mourners trooped I'm silence from
the church in readiness 10 join the funeral
procession to Calvary Cemetery.
But while the last ceremonies were
being held inside the church the hearse
driver and men on the boxes of the
moUrners' carriages began a bitter quar-
rel over union differences. and while the
coffin was being placed in the hearse de-
serted their seats. The hearse door had
been closed and The mourners were prepar-
ing 10 enter the driverlcss vehicle when
they remarked the strange situation and
stood about undecided what to DO on the
sidewalk and church steps.
Crowd Around RebeIIiOus Cabbies.
George W Hamilton, the undertaken,
besought the drivers to resume their seats,
but they were obstinate. Their spOkes-
man explained that three separate and
antagonistic drivers unions-the United
Transfers Association of America. the
international Brotherhood Of Teamsters,
and the Liberty Dawn Association-were
represented, aud that as the organizations
were not friendly to each other none Of
the drivers should work. The mourners
crowded around the rebellious men and
pleaded with them TO realize the gravity
Of their action and TO allow the funeral
10 proceed. But the men continued suIlen.
Meanwhile the church was emptied Of
its throng. and as crowd of passers-by
had collected. the street became congest-
ed. Crowds surged around the hearse and
its silent occupant, and the sidewalks be-
came impossible. The parish Of St Vim
cent de Pauls Church is large, and Il is
said that a goodN percentage Of the pa
rishioners attended Michael Feeley's fu-
neral. for he was well known and re-
spected.
Police squad Summoned.
AS the minutes passed and no relief
came. and the streets grew more and
more congested, Undertaken Hamilton
sent a hurry. cali 10 the Bedford avenue
police station for aid. In double-uuick
time Capt. Francis Creamer with ten men
came on the scene. The crowd bad be
come so large by this time that the police
had almost 10 fight their way through.
Capt Creamer tried 90 reason with the
unruly drivers, but they maintained their
position Of defiance Finally as a last re-
sort the captain produced penal code.
and while the throng stood I'm silence read
solemnly section $15. which pertains 20 the
blocking Of traffic and interfering with
funerals.
This placed matters in a new light, but
I the drivers were still obstinate, IL was
/ against the principles Of the Liberty
Dawn men TO drive behind the United
TeamSters, and the United Teamsters
were equally unwilling 10 cooperate with
either of the other two associations. After
much argument and more delay IL was
finally suggested that each batch Of car
riages go separate ways, each with the
cemetery as its objective point. This
strange compact was finally agreed upon,
and the 12o mOurners' carriages wheeled
and separated, part going along Bedford
avenue, part along North Sixth street,
and the remainder along briggs avenue. -
The he3rse went its way alone and unac-
COmpanied. and the body reached the Gem
etery after a delay Of nearly an hour