Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-05-16
STREET CARS TIED UP
. The Union Men Voie Unanimous. Iyto Quit Work al Cleveland
 To-Day.

Cleveland, O.-May 16-Cleve- lands street car system was tied up at o'clock to-day by an almost unanimous vote of the local union of the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway em- ployes.
 To reach this conclusion meetings were held last night beginning at $ o'clock and lasting until 5 o'clock this morning. At the conclusion of these sessions International Vice. President Behner of the street car mems union said: The vote stands as an evidence of the feeling of our organization. Officially l could not declare strike. put it up to the men in meeting assembled and they agreed that the time to cease qulp- bling had arrived, therefore the strike is on. The cars will cease to run just as soon as we shall be able to get word to the various barns. The men feel that they have been discriminated against and take thls means of emphasizing the fact
 Enthusiasm marked the sessions or the night. Approximately 1850 men voted, according to official state ments. Only at rare intervals was a negative registered.
 Variously estimated between three, and four hundred thousand patrons of the Union lines began this morn ing to seek a means of transporta- tion. City officials, it was stated, had not made preparations to combat the situation. Union men, however, asserted that for two weeks Pfesl- dent Dupont of the Municipal rail- way had been negotiating for addl- tional help. They claimed this as- sistance would be inefficient. Noml- nally the strike of the street car men declared to-day involves 2,000 men.
 The strike had it's origin in the in- stitution of the three cent fare, subject of political contention in Cleveland during seven years past. Following the municipal election last November. the principal issue of which was the question of municipal control of the traction companies and an ultimate fare of three cents within the city limits, consolidation of the street car lines came about.
 It then developed that the Cleve- land Electric Railway company, the major traction corporation. had sign ed contract with the Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Em- ployes, whereby it was agreed that in the event of ''coptinuation of their franchise or it's equivalent the conductors and motormen would re- ceive a specified increase of two cents an hour and an adjustment of other minor alleged grievances.
 The merged properties having been leased to the Municipal Traction Co, the traction infant" took the posi- tion that the contract was not bind ing upon them. The new company did, however, offer an increase of one cent an hour in the pay of the men, to take effect April 2S, upon which day the three cent fare was put into operation. The new company also ordered that all employees should pay car fare when riding upon the com pany's cars, while not at work.
 The propositions were not satis- factory to the employees and the strike followed. It Is anticipated that there will be trouble at the barns if new men attempt to operate the cars. Whether the regular barn men and power house employees will join in a sympathetic strike is not known.
 A large crowd gatherel at the Lake View barns this morning when an at- tempt was made to start out several cars. Strike sympathizers attacked the non-union crews and fight fol- lowed in which score of men are re- ported to have been clubbed. Chief of Police Kohler and number of of- fieers were rushed to the scene in au- tomobiles and dispersed the crowd. Chief Kohler was struck in the neck with a stone, but was not seriously hurt. .-r
 About 300 motormen and conduct ors formerly employed by the Forest City Co, the original Scent fare line, did not join the strike.
 On many lines there was no at tempt made to run cars early to-day.
 vice-President Behner of the union in commenting on the strike situation said he was pleased with the outlook. He said the men would win, but not by violence.
 "Rioting will not be tolerated. 7" declared Chief of Police Koehler to- day.
 Several attempts to run cars were frustrated by strike sympathizers.
 A mob of strike sympathizers armed with crowbars and other tools attempted fo tear np the street rail- way tracks on Claire avenue this noon. The mob was dispersed. how ever.
 A conductor was badly beaten by the mob. his scalp being laid open with a brick Both the conductor and motorman were finally rescued by the police.