Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-22
TIED UP BY
Strike; RIOT FOLLOWS
Say 1t Will Report Scott Bill,
Prohibiting Disseminating
Futures by Mail or Wire

PHILADELPHIA, FED lS'-SOHllnS
suddenly, when least expected, strike
was declared against the Philadelphia
Rapid Transit company by the Amalga-
mated Association of Street and Electric
Railway employees at l o'clock this at
ternoon. and tonight the police and fire
men are busy handling turbulent crowds
in several sections of the city.
Two cars were burned. score more
attacked, their crews forced to abandon
them, and numerous arrests were made.
Except in the central part of the city
where the cars were heavily protected,
street car service was almost at stand
still tonight.
In Kensington, Philadelphia's great mill
district, the most serious disturbances
occurred. Here two cars attacked by boys
and strike sympathizers, after the crews
were compelled to flee, were wrecked and
set on fire. The cars were damaged be-
yond repair before the firemen arrived.
Great crowds collected in this vicinity
and for a time ii was feared riot would
follow. When, however, the firemen were
ordered to turn their hose on the crowd
the mob quickly scattered.
Along Kensington avenue, lumber and
other distractions were piled son the
tracks. The usual big Saturday night
the street was heavily policed and no
further general disorder occurred.
The traction company withdrew all its
cars from Kensington tonight, declaring
that ii had men to run them, but had no
desire to cause trouble.
West Philadelphia, the southern Sec
ton OF the city, Germantown and other
parts of Philadelphia also reported at
tacks on cars, forcing men and passengers
to seek safety. Many persons were
struck by missiles. but no one was seri-
ously hurt.
Today's strike, the second within year,
came SO suddenly that thousands of per
| sons were caught away from their
homes. The leaders of the union claim
that the trouble was started by the COM
many. The corporation replies that the
strike was a prearranged affair on the
| part Of the Union.
A committee from the union and Pres
ident Charles o. Kruger, OF the company,
had been endeavoring throughout the
| last month to reach an agreement to take
the place of the one made after the strike
Of last summer and which expires on
June /. The men asked for an increase
in wages and among other things, recog-
milton alone OF the Amalgamated asso-
ciation.
They charged that a rival organization
| known as the United Car Mems associa-
ton had been put in the field to defeat
the efforts being made by the Amalgama-
ted association for better working con-
ditions. The company declined these
terms.
The break In the negotiations came on
| Thursday and last night and today about
/ 200 men were dismissed ''for the good OF
/ the service" This aroused the indigna-
ton of the men and they began turning
/ in their cars about 1 o'clock. The news
| of the assertions quickly reached union
/ headquarters with the result that a strike
| order was instantly issued.
i II was after o'clock when the curtail-
i ment of the service became noticeable,
1 and IL became more uncertain as the
hours passed. The greatest difficulty
| was experienced from to O'Clock wnen
! thousands Of people from stores and 9TH
4 err places found ii impossible to get a
| foothold on the cars and they were COM
| PEELED to walk. Enterprising teamsters
| who had the Saturday afternoon holiday
to themselves, reaped harvest In haul
| ing fares to distant parts of the city,
/ Thousands refused to ride on cars be-
cause of the fear of being attacked.
The police and fire departments in an
| ticipation of a strike, had been on a
war footing for a month and were
| today. When the strike was threatened
| in January all leaves Of absence were
/ withdrawn and every preparation was
| made to maintain peace. The moment
the fact that a strike, had been called
reached the city hall, the police plans
i were placed in operation. Several troops
i OF mounted police were assembled In the
city hall courtyard and squads of police
and fremen were assigned to each of the
10 barns In the city. Policemen and fire.
men were also put on the cars to pro-
tect the men who desired to work.
Mayor Reyburn remained at city hal
throughout the Afternoon and evening
MY duty is to protect the interests of the
public" he said, land will do that to the
best OF my ability. must see that or
Ider is preserved at all hazards. will also
make an effort to see that the riding pub
lie is accommodated"
Shortly after 10 o'clock tonight crowd
attacked two cars in the northern Sec
ton Of the city, drove the crews from the
ltrolleys and smashed the windows with
bricks. The police made several arrests