The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-29
Philadelphia Traction Mana gers
Awake This Morning
To Find Strike Inaugurated
on the COmpany's Lines.
DECLARED IN NIGHT
While Officials We're Attending
Annual Dinner.
All But Two Lines Are Still
Running Cars.

Philadelphia, May 2s.-GreatIy to
the surprise of the local public
Ph1ladelphia is today in the tangle
OF street car strike. The order of
the executive committee of the car
mems union to strike was issued at
an early hour this morning and went
into effect at a. M. when the day
service began.
AT a. M, cars were running on
all but two of the lines but it was
apparent the company was having
difficulty in maintaining the regular
ity of the service.
While there has been agitation
among the men for higher wages and
better conditions it was not generally
believed radical action would be
taken SO soon, if at all. as the union
organization was not believed to be
strong enough.
Paradoxical as it may seem. the
strike was hastened through the ac-
ton of the company in raising the
wages of the men one cent an hour
from 81 to 22 cents. This was done
about two weeks ago and the in
crease is to go into effect July 1.
Prior to the announcement of the in
crease in wages the Philadelphia
Rapid Transit company became the
storm center of general protest by
abolishing six for a quarter tickets
and adopting a straight cent rate.
This matter is now before the state
railroad commission at Harrisburg.
The leaders of the union took ad-
vantage of the situation and began
agitating an increase in wages and
better conditions. Their demands
included request for 25 cents an
work instead of splitting up the
day, privilege of buying uniforms in
the open market and the adjustment
of minor grievances. The company
having already increased wages,
ignored the unions demand and
made public statements that the
agitation was not popular among the
men.
So confident were the officials of
the company that they went to VIII
low Grove park last night to attend
a dinner which is an annual affair
with the corporation.
At the same time hundreds of con-
ductorS and motormen. were hold
ing meetings in various parts of the
city. During the night the strike or
der went forth.
The traction company employs
approximately $500 motormen and
and claims that not more
than one-sixth of these are affiliated
with the organization.
On the other hand. the union lead
of $500.
Disorder of a minor character has
been reported from different sections
of the city. Strike sympathizers
hurled iibes at those who were rid
ing and many passengers left the
cars and in some instances cars were
abandoned by their crews. At Fifty
second street and Girard avenue. an
abandoned car was partly wrecked
by boys and men and the police were
called to disperse the crowd One
policeman accompanied each West
Philadelphia car in the early hour,
but when reports of minor disturb
ances began coming to police head
quarters. two policemen were put on
each car.
An official of the transit COM
pany said that at a. m. $50 out of
/ 400 cars went on the regular runs.
At noon he said:
EVERY hour more cars are being
put on the most badly crippled of the
lines and conditions are steadily I'M
proving. Considerably less than half
of the men who make the early runs
went out but their places are rapidly
being taken by others. None of the
lines is completely tied up although
it must be admitted. several have
been badly crippled"
The company announced this al
ternoon that 1900 men who failed to
report for duty or abandoned their
cars had been discharged. The com
nany also announced that there
would be no compromise and that II
would not recognize the union
Fearing the strike may lead to disor-
der Mayor Reynburn this afternoon,
ordered all saloons to close at p. m.