Evening journal., 1908-09-03
TROLLEYMEN TO
PUT UP A FIGHT
Deny That They Are ReSpOn-
SibIe for Chester
LawIessneSs
MEN GET OUT ON BAIL

CHESTER, Pa, Sept. Sat a meeting
Of the local trolleymen's union yesterday
steps were taken toward engaging the
best legal talent in Delaware county to
represent the fifteen striking trolleymeu
taken into custody by the county and
city authorities and given preliminary
hearings before Justice Williamson. Of
Media on various charges. ranging from
conspiracy to the actual dynamiting OF
cars Of the Chester Traction Company.
Three others Of the accused men were
released on bail. $1,000 security for each
being furnished by business men in this
city and Delaware county. while Efforts
are being made to secure the release on
bah Of the other men.
Chief Topic Of Discussion.
The wholesale arrests Of the men and
their confinement in the county Jail at
Media, is the chief topic of discussion
here While the authorities. though re-
ticent as to their action, assert that the
evidence secured warranted the making
~ ftth frAANoAot 4 AC oNSuoc1 AlDtA AAArlI Atl-
low-meHbers Of the union and sympathi-
zers stoutly deny the accusations. and the
men claim that they are in a position to
establish alibis at the hearing Friday
night.
From what can be ascertained, however,
Of the authorities it is the purpose to send
the cases to court for trial by jury
Among those who were released on bail
were Edward Boyle Patrick j. Shea, vice.
president of the Amalgamated Association
ofsRailway Employees and organizer Of, me
Chester local; William V. Lockhartg gprest
dent Of the Chester Union, and Clarence
Butts, a motorman. ---
The two additional arrests made were
those Of John Smith and Philip McllIwee,
former employees Of the traction company.
Smith was taken into custody in Philadel-
phia, brought to this city, thence taken to
Media where he and McElwee were given
preliminary hearings, and committed TO
the county jail IN default Of $1,000 bail
Had Been Planned for Weeks. -
The arrest of the strikers was not the
plan of a day. but for weeks the coun-
ty authorities. acting in cn1inction with
detectives. have been working on the vari-
Gus incidents pertaining to the attacks
upon and dpnamitng Of Chester Traction
Company cars. It was following a con-
ference with District Attorney MacDade
that the warrants were placed in the
hands of County Detective Berry. and he
with the assistance of Deputy sheriffs and
members of the Chester Police Depart
ment, made the arrests.
Shea in a Rage.
Organizer Shea said that his arrest on
charges of conspiring to dynamite cars
OF the traction company was an outrage.
and ridiculous.
THE arrest OF the union men and my
self was a greater outrage than was the
Moyer- Haywood case" he said, cit was a
glaring attempt to intimIdate the laboring
men Of Chester. I will stake my reputa-
tion that no one in the union or in any
way connected with il had anything TO do
with the wrecking Of the street cars.
I'VE are charged with conspiracy. II
there was any conspiracy It was on the
part of the officials of the Chester Trac-
tion Company who caused these arrests.
"The animus which lies back Of the at
rests was shown when the officers waited
until we were at our homes before they
served the warrants and took us into
custody They hurried us off 10 Media
and placed us in Jail there. This method
was taken so that we would not have an
/ opportunity to secure bail They did not
dare 10 arraien us for a hearing before
/ Chester Justice. Instead we were talSor
/ before Justice of the Peace Williamson
/ Media The public win give the uniol
I its hearty support when IT learns the
scheme which underlies this prosecution"