The Washington times., 1910-03-12
NAGEL MAY ESSAY
PEACENAKER ROLE
Expected TO Visit Philadel-
phia in Response to
Labcr's Appeal.

81 PHILADELPHIA, March l2.-With the
eyes Of the nation centered on her ef-
forts to end the greatest labor crisis
IN her annals. and one OF the most nevo-
lutionary in history, Philadelphia Is
striving desperately to end the street
car strike that is In its twenty-seCOnd
day. and the general strike. now eight
days old
While the city's business men are a
unit In demanding that the strikes be
ended. the city's representatives on the
traction cOmpany's board Of directors
are steadfast in their determination not
10 grant arbitration demanded by union
laborers as the price 10 be paid for
settlement
Both labor and capital have appealed
10 President Taft for Intervention, and
hope is held out today that the great
paciher' will take a hand through the
commission Of the Foundation for Indus
trial Peace. founded by President Roose-
Welt. Secretary PhiIander c. Knox has
been asked Just what powers this COM
mission would have in interfering in the
present crisis in Philadelphia.
Nagel May Investigate.
Secretary NageI. Of the Department OF
Commerce and Labor, whom Presi-
dent Taft referred the telcgrams from
President r Z. Greenwalt. Of the Penn
sylvanis State Federation Of Labor, is
expected in Philadelphia within short
time 10 investigate the entire matter
and endeavor to bring the warning fac
tons together.
Labor Commissioner Neiu, who is
lu Baltimore trying to adjust the differ
ences between the Baltimore and Ohio
and its employees, is also mentioned as a
Government official who may be sent
here TO endeavor to bring about indus
trial peace.
The position of the street car com
pany is prOblematical. II has persist
emily refused 10 consider arbitration
and II is intimateG even now that il has
not changed its attitude.
The Committee Of Ten in charge Of
The strike has made the situation more
critical by declaring that unless the
traction company agrees 10 arbitration
within fOrty-eight hours, every union
now on strike viii be ordered to demand
a new wage scale, commensurate with
the present high cost Of living, before
returning to work.
Claim 14s,ooo Are Out.
II was at first proposed that the
sympathetic strikers should return un-
street car strike was settled. A demand
On their part for increased wages would
lead to numberless clashes between en-
ployers and unions and keep the city
In state Of business unrest for months
The strikers today claim that I45.OOo
men. both union and non-union. have
obeyed the call for the general strike,
though these figures are emphatically
denied by the city officials.
~ TriL st
men have availed themselves OF the Of
fer Of President 9. O. Kruger, Of the
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company, to
return to work and thereby secure a
loan from the street car company. This
offer was made at the suggestion Of
Mayor Keyburn.
Committee Is Busy.
The committee Of thirty appointed at
yesterdays meeting of representatives
OF civic organizations is today informal
ly considering plans to end the strike.
These plans viii be considered formally
by the committee at a meeting tomOr-
row.
It has been suggested by members Of
the committee and by representative
business men that financial interests in
Philadelphia be asked to bring pressure
10 bear on the Rapid Transit Company
20 end the strike. Many leading bank
|ers have BEEN appointed. but there IS
little likelihood that they will act
Say Funds Are Ample
It was intimated today that the com
mittee Will tonight formulate plans to
bring about a meeting between c. o.
Pratt. for the strikers. and Francis
Skunk Brown, attorney for the street
car company. at which she differences
Will be discussed.
This meeting, II arranged. will not be
% arbitrate, but TO endeavor to find
some common ground on which future
meetings can be held TO end the strike.
John J. Murphy, president OF the Cen
tr3l Labor Union. this afternoon denied
the statements that money was scarce
among the strikers. I've have ali the
money We need 10 prolong this strike
1ndehnitely." he said. showing a certified
check for 81 900 from the street car men
al Diffcb11ru