Evening journal., 1908-05-18
SOME TROLLEY Men
GOOUTON STRIKE
CONTINUED from First Pagsl

CONTINUED from First Pagsl
promised not 10 join a labor organization?I
To this Mr. Dorney replied; Mr., Geiger
I have known men in the western country
who voluntarily gave up riieir watcnes
and picSetbooks when the other parties to
the agreement held revolvers to their
heads, We wish TO say further that we as.
aert the right OF every American citizen
to join any organization he chooses. be
that organization Masonic. Hihernian,
Jewish. Benevolent or Labor Union and
we deny the right OF any man or set Of
men, or corporation TO threaten or punish
them for so doing
''AIr. Geiger then said he would try to
have Mr.. Hoff meet the committee at his
office within half an hour. whereupon the
committee retired and returned at $50
o'clock when Mr.. Geiger said he had seen
Mr.. Hof in town and was authorized to
say that Mr.. Hon would not relnstate the
men under any circumstance. The COM
mittee then withdrew and upon returning
20 headquarters. was informed that Mr..
Hon was In the office Of Chief Of Police
Black while the committee was at his Of
fee and that Il was in the chiefs office
that Mr.. Geiger received Mr. Hons ulti-
matum"
Following this unsatisfactory ending Of
what had been hoped would result in a
settlement OF the differences. the em-
ployes lined up for the strike They held
frequent private conferences at mead
quarters and at 8 o'clock yesterday morn.
ing proceeded TO the companys car barns
and refused TO go on their runs. A number
OF sympathzers added 70 the ranks but
a squad Of police under the direction Of
Chief Of Police Black was on hand 10
prevent violation Of the saF. There was
none. The strikers were orderly. combining
their work 10 a peaceful entreaty with
their fellow workmen 10 stand by them
Despite this appeal for sympathy a large
number Of the company employees declared
themselves dissatisfied with the conditions
and began work for the day.
The FIRST car out carried Chief Black and
George Anderson, the comnany's dis
patcher. Some one cried "scab." but fur
ther than this tho strikers made no DEM
onstration. Hugh Hession, however, re.
sented the epithet by breaking the nose
Of the man who had approached him. Az
ter this incident there was no trouble
sympathizers gathered on down town
streets and began the distribution Of the
'WeN walk 70 win" cards with the idea
Of influencing public sentiment TO the
strikers. At night fullf 1000 persons were
wearing the cards The company officials
declared later that there had been no fall
ing or In the days receipts
Strike Leaders Talk
D. S. Fitzgerald. who is IN direct CHARGE
/ Of the strike said this morning. There are
| about thirty men on strike and there will
| be daily accessions from now on. We be.
heve public sentiment Is with the men
| We also believe that the railway employees
viii see the error Of their way IN antag
onizlng the efforts Of their fellow work.
men TO better their wages and wor,ins
conditions. We are confident Of winning
cut We have been intlmidsted by the Do
lioo and officials Of the trolley company
but we are bound 10 win. We maintain
that the men have the right to organize
and this the company denied by discharg,
ing the 1--WE officers Of the union.
''rhe men formerly received IS 1-2 cent,
an hour. Recently they were cut 70 i6 9.
cents. and must work from y 10 to L
hours a day. The Peoples line pays its en-
p,oyes II cents an hour. When the VII
mington City Company cut wages th'
Peoples line was asked also 10 cut tn,
rate, but refused. and the people are go
ing 70 patronize that line and boycott the
other as a result of this stand
John Fl. Rigg, Of Reading. is the MAJ
who is back Of the trouble. Just as he b
back OF the trouble in Chester The odd
against us are great but we have rlgh
on eur side and wsu WIN"