The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-08
CITY is HARD HIT.
Business i'm Philadelphia Suf-
fers From the Strike
To an Extent Not for Many
Years Past.
THE NUMBER OF IDLE
Still the Subject of Widely Di-
vergent Opinions.
Textile and Building Trades
Most Seriously Affected.

| Philadelphia, Pa, March S.-All
Philadelphia hopes that the city wide
movement begun yesterday by the
United Business Mems association to
bring to a quick end the great labor
conflict that has kept the "city of
brotherly love- in a turmoil for more
than two weeks will meet with more
| success than the effort made last week
by the same body of men.
This organization asked the Phila-
delphia Rapi5 Transit company and
Mayor Reyburn to arbitrate the differ
ences existing between the company
and the men but was given no salts
faction. Now this organization, which
includes practically every business man
of any standing in Philadelphia, will
enlarge its movement by taking in
other organizations that stand for the
progress of Philadelphia and will
make a united attack on the warning
element against peace and the general
welfare of the city.
Business especially in the central
part of the city has suffered to an ex-
tent not known in years.
Although it is now three days since
the general strike order of all union
workers in sympathy with the fight of
the trolley mems union against the
transit company went into effect it is
still impossible accurately to state the
strength of he movement. Widely di-
vergent claims continue to be made
by both sides Union leaders say that
125,000 union workers are on strike
and they have been Joined by at least
10000 men and women who heretofore
were unorganiZed.
Police Stick to 10000.
The police authorities, on the other
hand, state that careful compilation
of the reports of a thorough canvass
shows less than 10000 on strike The
police back up their statement by
detailed list of the many concerns af-
fected. Independent investigators who
have also made canvaSSes, say that
while the police figures are fairly ac-
curate for the estimates represented,
many occupations have been over
looked in the police report.
The difficulty in arriving at a close
estimate of the number of idle workers
is due to the fact that the walkout
covers the entire lao square miles of
territory embraced in the city of Phila-
delphia. Except in certain sections
like Kensington and Manayunk, the
big textile centers, manufacturing es-
Establishments are pretty well scattered
and much time is consumed in cover
ing them. Another difficulty is the re-
luctance of some employers, who for
business reasons do not wish to give
an accurate statement of the number
of men idle.
Aside from actual figures, it is ap-
parent that the textile and building
trades are the most seriously affected.
Practically all the big building opera
tions in town are tied up.
There appeared to be more cars in
service today than at any time since
the railway strike started.
Mayor Reyburn Endorsed.
Labor leaders intend to seize the
present opportunity to organize fur
ther the workmen of the citv. Phi1a-
deIphia has always been known among
labor people as a "non-union town"
and plans are being laid to strengthen
the cause of unionism here. In re-
sponse to a telegram, Frank Morrison,
secretary of the American Federation
of Labor, at Washington, has assured
the union leaders that he will arrange
to have general organizers take up the
work in Philadelphia at once.
The sympathetic strike has threat
ened a new contest. a fight for the
"open shop" by employers who have
had working agreements with unions.
unions were working under hard won
trade agreements and some of them
hesitated about going out in sympathy
with the trolley men because it en-
dangered the life of these trade con-
tracts. That there is trouble ahead
for some of the individual unions and
employers was indicated in the action
taken by the Master Builders associa-
ton. This body has adopted a resolu-
tion protesting against the journeymen
brick layers stopping work and violat-
ing an existing agreement. The reso-
luton further states that if the men
do not return to work at once, the en-
ployers will proceed with the work
with such brick layers as they may be
able to hire.
Mayor Reyburn is much gratified by
the appearance in the newspapers to-
day of the following endorsement
signed by A prominent men:
1--WE, the undersigned, citizens of
Philadelphia, having at heart the
honor and fame of the city as a law
abiding community, do hereby approve
and endorse the efforts of Mayor Rey-
burn and the city authorities to main
tain order and suppress lawlessn ess
and the destruction of property. We
hope and trust that all the power at
their command will be invoked and
used for this purpose if necessary"
The endorsement is signed by five
directors of the Pennsylvania Railway
company as individuals well known
financiers and lawyers and men promi-
nent in other walks of life.