The Washington herald., 1909-07-04
Commercial and industrial.

The first two days OF the week were full
Of trouble for the public OF at least one
large American city. that Of Pittsburg.
where about 5000 street car employees car
ried 10 victory a sharp but decisive strike
70 enforce their demands for the eight
hour day as previously promised by the
traction combine, and for better working
conditions. On Sunday the car system
was completely tied up. save for five mail
cars which the strikers did not interfere
with. The people walked and took their
medicine with good grace. most OF them
being in sympathy with the strikers. The
company was meantime gathering strike
breakers preparatory 10 a forced opera
ton under police protection. On Monday
several riots broke out when the strike
breakers appeared on the streets and a
number Of men were injured, many shots
being fired. Mayor Magee was already in
communication with the company and
the strike officials demanding that they
get together and threatening 20 operate
the car lines and turn the proceeds into
the city treasury. Late that night repre-
sentatives OF the company and the Anal
gamated Association OF Street and EIec-
trio Railway Employees did get together
In the mayors office and came TO an
agreement. which involved the concession
on the part OF the company OF every de-
mand OF the men except one. The ex-
ception is that OF the rule against drink
Ing while in uniform. even though or
duty. This IS 10 be arbitrated. The set
uement was written down and signed
there and then 10 arrange the runs so as
70 make the days work not over eight
hours on the average. TO give discharged
men hearing, and not 10 discriminate
against union men in this or any former
strike The men went back 20 work next
day
The Republic Iron and Steel Company
OF Pittsburg posted notices the first Of
the week that on July all IT'S mills would
be conducted on the open shop plan, thus
adding its force 10 that OF the Steel Cor
porauon. which has announced a similar
policy, 70 go into operation on the same
date in It's American Tin Plate Company
plant. Neither company would again
have formal relations as 10 wage scale
with the Amalgamated Association. The
men IN the various plants OF the trust
and the independent company were pre-
pairing 10 strike. although a certain pro-
portion OF them had opposed this action.
contending that there had been SO much
idleness in the last two years that they
were in debt and could not afford 10 be
again idle now.
The majority prevailed. and an order
Issued by President McArdle, OF the
Amalgamated Association. compelled no
less than 20.000 employees OF the American
Tin Plate Company 10 quit their Jobs az
y o'clock midnight OF June 50. Wednes-
day. The independent tin plate compa-
MES have quite generally signed she. scale
with the association.
The award Of the arbitration board
called 10 consider the dispute involving
white and negro hremen on the Georgia
Railroad IS that the white shall not have
seniority over the negroes save on merit
alone and that the wages OF the negro
nremen should equal those Of the white
hremen. This puts the wnole matter up
10 the railroad officials, but removes the
one incentive which was believed 10 in
duce them 70 prefer the negro workmen.
namely, their willingness 10 work for less
wages.