The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-22
union MEN ARGUE.
AGAINST GENERAL
STRIKE IN PHILA.
President Murphy, of Central Labor
Union, Sends Letters To Various
Locals Asking if They Favor
Such Course.
g. 0. Pratt, Leader of Strikers, Is
Held in $4,000 Bail-Riots
Continue Today.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 22--Presi'
bent Murphy. OF the Central Labor
union appeared IN strike headquarters
this afternoon and declared that no
GENERAL strike had been called. He
Bald however. that he had sent let
ers To the presidents OF every union
n Philadelphia. ASKING that they as
pertain how their men stood on the
question OF a sympathetic strike. TO
determine this referendum vote viii
have TO be held by each individual
inion. Several days will elapse be-
ore this referendum vote can be held.
Even II the members vote for a sym
pathetic strike. it viii be deferred As
ong as possible and Will no, be called
intil IL appears that there is no other
method open to win the street car
strike. The vote will merely ascer-
ain the views OF the men and Will not
brecipitate the strike until II !
hought by the union leaders to BE-
absolutely necessary.
President Murphy said he would call
general strike after the arrest ana
Imprisonment OF c. o. Pratt. the lead
pr OF the street car strikers, who was
held today in s2.000 bail on the charge
BIZ melting the riot
Murphy's Statements Confusing.
Murphy announced early this morn
ng that ne intended going TO Wash
ngton TO confer with President Sam
le Gompers. OF the American Fedora
ion OF Labor and Vice President John
Mitchell. regarding the call for gen
kral strike Later he announced that
be had called a general strike. but the
arious union headquarters declared
hey had received no such official ac-
ion. Al least 100000 men would be
Effected II such a strike We're called.
Murphy was greatly excited when he
made his talk about the general strike.
In union circles II is declared Muir
ply has no authority 10 issue a cal
or a general walkout. which would
Rave 10 come from the highest OH
tias OF the A. +. OF /. and then only
after conference of the members or
he executive committee.
Although IL was reported a warrant
Ad been issued for President Mar
Thy. no arrest mas been made.
While the specific cause that led 10
he arrest Of Pratt is kept secret, it
S understood TO have resulted from
riot yesterday afternoon when sew
raj hundred strikers. unable 10 get
nto mass meeting al the Laho"
yeeum. marched through the streets
% Mercantile hall at Franklin and
Poplar streets where Pratt addressed
hem.
Here the crowd stopped and
Wrecked a car. Detective OConnor.
Who later arrested Pratt. was In the
rowd, and 1t was ne who swore ont
he warrant Magistrate Beaton, VINO
ssued the warrant fixed the bail at
500 and then went home. Magis-
rate German later granted ban OF
81 900. but the police turned it down
Ind refused to release Pratt
Strikers Sell Newspapers.
The striking motormen and con.
Euctors are selling newspaper on the
ktreet corners and faring well. few
,assing by without giving trem some
HRS
or a normal complement OF more
han 1000 cars. the officials of the
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co. de-
Jared today they are running 725
Ind that they can run 200 when
sranted complete police protection.
he police however, refuse TO allow
car to leave TIE car barns unless
wo or more officers are on board. The
strike leaders deny that 725 cars are
-unning, asserting their figures show
hat only 1872 cars have been taken ont
since the beginning OF the strike.
Charles o. Kru2ei president OF the
philadelphia Rapid Transit Co. de
lares the company will neither offer
hor accept any compromise. but viii
hight to the end and is confident Of
victory.
Pratt was arrested las, night as ne
was dining with Murphy and Driscoll
In a restaurant on Ninth-st. He took
iis arrest calmly bat Murphy was IN
tensed and declared general strike
vas sure TO follow IL is said union
men all over the city are In favor OF
The strike and that If Gompers ara
+Iitchell will sanction II. every union
|nlan here will la down his tools. com
|n!etely paralyzing the business.
A drenching rain which had been
FALLING all night kept large crowds
trom gathering ca the streets TO-DAY