The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-21

v ' Company refuses to employ union ' < men, % ' Cars will be run on all lines today. < < Samuel Gompers will assist in z Y peaceful settlement if possible. < ~ 15O special officers sworn in and ' -< more to come
 For the first time in about fifteen years Birmingham was yesterday without street railway service.
 The local system was almost complete- ly tied up during the afternoon and night. Following the ultimatum givin to them by the company, of surrendering either their union cards or their badges of em ployment, majority of the employees of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company yesterday morning began turning in their badges and taking the cars to the barns until by noon there were less than half dozen cars running In the city.
 fic was attended by some good humored excitement but little disorder. Prompt Measures by Aauthorities.
 The feature of the day was the prompt manner in which the authorities jumped into the breach with the determination that order should be preserved. The Mayors order closing all saloons, the swearing in Of extra policemen and the utilization of extra men by the sheriff were the most notable examples of this spirit.
 1t was learned last night that some of the most prominent men in the city will be sworn in to assist in keeping down any disorder. While no official list was | given out, it is understood that such men as Erskine Ramsay, James Bowron, w.. W. Crawford, Robert Brown and T. C.. Bush will be brought into service. Prom inent and representative unien men will also be required to do duty as deputies Members of the Commercial club and Board of Trade will be requisitioned and required to do their part in seeing that Birminghams reputation as an orderly city shall not be marred.
 Did Net Cause Surprise.
 n view of the developments of the past week the tie-up of the street railway was net a great surprise. but few ex- pected that practically all the cars would stop running.
 It has been known for a week that the street railway employees were form ing union and that the company would not recognize unions nor employ union men,
 Neither the company nor the men term the present situation a strike as the men presented no demands, but it is merely called a lockout or a tie-up in which the company asserted the preroga- tive of deciding what kind of men 1t would employ. This is the peculiar phase of the affair, which may have a bear ing upon it's settlement
 Mayor Ward Issues Orders. Not long after the street car traffic ceased yesterday Mayor George B. Ward, recognizing the possible seriousness of the situation issued immediate orders for the closing of all saloons in the city, which was promptly obeyed. This and an order regarding police duty were as follows:
 | lowing to emergency and threatening conditions, I hereby order all saloons in the city of Birmingham closed im- mediately and kept closed until further orders.
 ''This order applies to liquor depart ments of all drug stores which have liquor licenses and also to wholesale 1 liquor dealers.
 GEORGE B. WARD, Mayor" "IIal ! Copeland, Chairman Police Com mission:
 Dear Sir-Owing to the threatening conditions I would be glad to have you place the entire police force on double l time until further notice. GEORGE B. WARD, Mayor "w E. wier, Chief of Police. City: Dear Sir-Please see that proclamation closing all saloons is enforced immed- lately.
 GEORGE B. WARD, Mayor"
 May Forfeit Licenses.
 In reference to closing up saloons Mayor Ward last night made the following statement:
 "The authorities appreciate the prompt acquiescnence of the saloons in clos ing up.
 There are some few, however, who seem to- object. This is to advise that any saloon found violating the closing order will have it's license revoked with out hope of its being restored
 During the day Mayor Ward also is- sued the following statement:
 'The city of Birmingham will not enter into the merits of this controversy be- tween the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company and it's men.
 "One thing, however must be under stood: Not single violation of the laws of this city or of the state of Alabama from either side will be tolerated.
 ''The city will place on thousand men if necessary. and use it's powers to the limit both to prevent and punish disor- der.
 GEORGE B. WARD. Mayor"
 The gathering of crowds on the streets