Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-04-17
VIOLENCE IN CHESTERSTRIEE
Two Men Shot While Attempting to
Operate Cars.
COMPANY CEEsURED FOR ACTION
city Authorities Condemn Effort 60
Resume Tramc without Permis-
sIOn-Men Not Seriously
Injured.

CHESTER, Pa. April 16.--The most seri-
Gus disturbance which has marked the
strike OF the motormen and conductors Of
the Chester Traction company occurred
early today. during which two employees Of
the company we're shot, but not seriously
injured. The company attempted to operate
a car and william Borgmann, who acted
as motorman, was shot in the foot during
an attack on the trolley by a large crowd
of strike sympathizers. Earlier In the day
William Griesemer claim agent OF the
company. was shot in the leg while leading
a squad of forty men who had been Inn
ported to take the places of the strikers
to the car barn
Disorder was spasmodic during the night,
but the serious outbreak began with the
attack on the imported men shortly before
a. m. An attempt to lead the men from
the hotel at which they were quartered TO
the car barn. by way OF back streets was
discovered by the strikers and their sympa-
thizers and In a hand-to-hand fight the
imported workers were routed and driven
to shelter in the barn. Griesemer who was
in charge, was struck by a bullet and he
was helped into the barn.
Strikers swarm About Car.
The company at once decided to start
out car and at 5 o'clock it ran from the
barn with Bergman as motorman and
another imported man as conductor. The
car had not gone far when it was attacked.
Men swarmed aboard from all sides. The
trolley pole was pulled from the wire, the
controller was taken from Borgmann and
the crowd began to beat him and the CON
ductor. Bricks pieces OF lead pipe and
other missiles were thrown and every win
dow in the car was broken. A number of
revolver shots were fired and one bullet
struck Borgmann in the foot. strong
detachment of police rushed up and after
considerable effort succeeded in driving
the crowd hack. The car was left standing
on the track and Borgmann and the con-
ductor were hurried into the barn.
The police roped off the streets adjacent
to the barn and are now on guard about
the building. Mayor johnson came to the
scene and strongly condemned the trac-
tion company for attempting to resume
service without his permission. The mayor
then called a meeting of the police commit
tee of the city council to consider the situa-
ton.
The strike began on Monday, owing to
the refusal of the employees to accept a
reduction in wages. The company also
operates lines between anu
Chester and Chester and Wilmington. Della.
Traffic on these roads is also suspended.
Request for Militia Made.
President Rigg of the Chester Traction
company requested Mayor johnson to ask
that a detail of 100 state policemen be sent
here. Mayor johnson refused because he
said he feared the presence. Of the state
police might cause another outbreak
Thereupon Mr.. Rigg teiephoned to Governor
Stuart at Harrisburg and requested that a
regiment of the state national guard be or
dered out The result of the telephone talk
is not known.
President Rigg said today later that nc
| further attempt will be made to operate
| the, cars until protection is obtained.
Governor Stuart this afternoon ordered
three companies of state police to proceed
to this city to maintain the peace.