New-York tribune., 1909-06-04
STRIKE END IN SIGHT
SITU4TION ALARMS POLIT-
TC4I LE4DERS.
PhUodcIphia Primaries TO-m0rrOu-
Turbulent Scenes LibeHcd to Paris
COmmuRe Police Use ReTOIUerS
Iny re-eeranh 70 The T-lhnne. !

Philadelphia. June 3-Following thirty hours
Of almost continuous rioting. which is still in
crcasinc in intensity the PhiladellSia trolley
strike seems 10 bc on the eve Of political set
tlement that will give the victory 10 the strik-
ers
The remarkable public sympathy expressed for
the strikers has SO impressed the political lead
ers of the city that state Senator Jim" Nc
Nichol, the contractor and political boss Of the
city summoned g. O. Pratt. the strike leader.
and a few of the latter's advisers TO his home
this evening and proposed to them that he act
as mediator in the strike
Pratt named the minimum concessions that
the strikers would accept. and on leaving the
conference said he expected a settlement.
shortly aftcrward McNichol had a conference
with Mayor Reyburn. who is ex-officio director
Of the Rapid Transit Company. and Henry Clay
Director of Public Safety. who is large share
holder in the company. At its end McNichol
said he expected that a settlement would be
brought about that the strikers could return
to work Saturday morning
It is understood that the company will be
compelled to increase wages from 81 to % cents
an hour. rearrange working hours and agree to
confer with committees Of employees regarding
wages and working conditions.
If the settlement is brought about as is now
expected. it will be due to the fact that the
spring primaries are to be held Saturday AMI
the more potential that the Republican lead
ers are facing the probability, if the strike
tinues of having their slated city ticket defeat
ed More than a dozen ward leaders Informed
McNichoI to-day that unless the strike was
promptly settled they would lose control of their
wards. They demanded that the strike be set
tied and that the policemen who have been called
away from districts for strike work be returned
in time to do their usual electoneering.
STRIKERS ARE PESSINIISTIC
Despite the announcement from McNichol and
Reyburn the leaders of the strike looked with
considerable pessimism upon the proposition to-
night They said that experience with the tran
sit company had taught Them the necessity of
going slow with agreements that did not ap-
pear in writing with plenty of seals and wit
nesses The strikers are considering the propo-
sition, and it will probably be some hours be-
fore any definite announcement is made
The situation had become so tense following
last nights furious rioting. heavy damage and
bIoodshed that something had to be done The
nolice seemed so powerless last night and there
was such marked evidence that they had given
half hearted service in the emergency that
Director Clay to-day suspended Lieutenant John
Sykes Of the Kensington police district who
is charged with having remained in his office
while the riots were at their height.
For the first time since the strike began a
number of the employees on the elevated road
deserted their posts and joined the strikers to-
dav. This line, however. continued in operation
all day cars on the other lines of the company
ran at irregular intervals until nightfall, when