The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-19

Philadelphia, March I8.-Two
street cars were wrecked, their pas
sengers endangered, and one Of
them, a woman, slightly injured, at
widely separated points tonight by
bombs of high explosives, suppos-
edly made of gun cotton.
This outbreak, occurring after a
week of comparative quiet, and
with the prospect of peace appar-
emily so near, surprised the police
force and led to redoubled vigilance
in all parts Of the city. 1t was ru-
mored that the two explosions were
part OF a plot to create disturbances
and wreck cars throughout the city,
and until after midnight the mount
ed police and men on foot were
kept busy patrolling the car lines.
Police arrested three men at the scene
of the second explosion. at Coral and
Dauphin streets, but the charges against
them were only malicious mischief and
melting 10 riot. The most serious evil
dence against them seems to be that
they threw stones at the ear which had
run over the bomb. One Of the prisoners
was knocked down by a horse OF a
mounted policeman while trying to run
away from another cop who shot at
him. and was badly cut about the head.
one Woman injured.
The other explosion occurred in Colum-
bia avenue, between Thirtieth and Thir-
ty-frst streets, where one woman was
slightly injured.
Probably the greater damage OF the
two explosions was created by that IN
the northeast section. Not only were
the panes of glass in the car shattered.
but the windows OF dozen houses with
in a block were broken. There had been
trouble at this point earlier in the even
ing, and before the explosion occurred
the police had to drive crowds away sew
eral times.
The bomb was placed on one of the
rails OF the car track and was run over
by a car on the Otis street wharf line.
The car was lifted several inches in the
air, but fell upon the rails when it
alighted. Three passengers In the car
were shaken, but no one was hurt
Immediately following the explosion a
crowd gathered in the street and began
throwing stones at the motorman, who
had pluckily remained by the car. Sew
eral mounted policemen and a detail from
the Trenton avenue and Dauphin street
station arrived and charged the crowd.
Strike Near End.
II is said tonight the Transit Company
and the striking carmen will come TO an
agreement by tomorrow night or Sun
day at the latest. The company and
the men are negotiating amicably. The
bitterness which marked the statements
from both sides early in the week has
disappeared. Even Mayor Reyburn, who
was stalwartly opposed 20 compromises,
has moderated his utterances. He spoke
a word or two for peace this afternoon.
Certain influences, business and politi-
cal, have been working in secret for the
past twelve hours. They were potent
enough TO bring about a modification Of
the company's position and a Willingness
on the part Of the strikers to recede a
trifie in their demands. The belief Is
now that there viii be no State strike.
Status of Discharged Men,
Whatever agreement is reached will
have to do with the status Of the 17s
conductors and motormen discharged a
month ago for "intoxicatiOn. knocking
down fares, and the good Of the serv-
ice" The peace ambassadors, who have
been going from the Rapid Transit COM
pany to the men and from the men 10
the company, have succeeded, it is un-
derstood in persuading each side TO give
away little.
The basis of the agreement NAV be a
guarantee on the part of the company
that these men shall be given individual
trials and a chance to defend themselves
and the guarantee on the part of the
strikers that the men proved to be guilty
of the offenses charged by the company
shall be punished.
The impression is pretty strong that
leaders Of the unions that have backed
up the carmen will not tolerate high
handed action by the carmen in case the
Rapid Transit Company submits rea-
sonable proposal.