The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-09
PARIS LIGHTS OUT
STRIKE OF ELECTRICIANS CAUSES
 WEIRD SCENE.
Usually Brilliantly IlIuminated Bouie- wards and Theatres In Pitch Darkness While Cafes Oper-
 ate by Using Tallow
 Candles.

Paris, March s.--A sudden. virtually unanimous and unexpected strike on the part of practically all the electri- clans at Paris at o'clock this after noon resulted in the almost complete paralyxing of the business of the city by the time night had fallen.
 The inconvenience was very great. A number of theatres had to forego their performances. several of the evening uewspape pers were unable to get out their editions and the great department stores were hurriedly emptied. The strikers demand the fulfillment of the promises to improve their condition which they claim were made to them last July.
 Many of the great department stores of Paris, especially fin the center of the city, rely entirely upon the electricity for lighting and heating. These build fngs are not piped for gas and when the electric lights went out this ever- ing no oil lamps were on hand. As a
 result candles had to be installed hur- riedly in order to help the shoppers
 and the employees to leave the build ings.
 The prefect of police, the buildings
 of the various ministries and the pub
 lie institution also were without lights
 and even the E1ysee Palace was tenn
 porarily thrown into darkness. The
 senate and the chamber of deputies are
 provided with gas pipes and were.
 therefore, able to get light and go on
 with their business.
 Almost all the theatres and other of
 the susidized houses were compelled to put up announcements that there
 would be no performances and that the
 money would be refunded at the doors. Only four of the minor variety halls were open. The boulevards were prac- ticaily in darkness except for the glim-
 mering of few gas jets. Only the avenue de Eopera and small section of the Champs Elysee were illuminated by electricity. Cafes and restaurants presented weird pictures with flaring
 candles on all the tables
 It was impossible to get out later editions of the afternoon newspapers and offices of the morning papers were scenes of confusion. Only the Paris
 iene will appear in it's full size tomor-
 row morning. 1t possesses it's own electric plant. The company which corded concessions by the municipal council and 1t now refuses to carry out certain resolutions passed by that body under which the electrical workers are granted an eight thour work day and
 old ages pensions.
 These stipulations are not written Tn the contract with the city, but 1t was understood that theyi would be grant ed. The men are exasperated by what they characterize as bad faith on the part of the company.
 A delegation of prominent citizens, including number of members of the chamber of deputies called on Premier Clemenceau at a late hour tonight. The premier promised to bring a regiment
 of soldiers quartered at Versailles to replace the strikers, but 1t would ap-
 pear that the later decided not to take
 this step, for no orders were sent to Versailles. On the contrary, Premier C1emenceau expressed his determine tion to use every effort to overcome
 the strike by conciliatory means. He probably will have an interview with the strikers delegates during the night
 or early tomorrow morning.
 Matinee today 2t30, and tonight, Montgomery Theatre. Return engage rnenf of A(4ar New MfnfafeP.0