Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-02-20
TWO CARS WRECKED
AND Then SET ON FIRE
Policemen and Flremen Are Kept
Busy Dispensing Crowds Who At
tack Crews to Force Them to Aban-
don Work-in Parts Of City Ser
vice Almost at Standstll.
(By Associated Press.)

PHILADELPHIA, PA. Feb. 10
Coming Suddenly when least expect
Cd a strike was declared against the
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company
hy the Amalgamated Association OF
Street and Electric Railway EN-
plovees at l o'clock this afternoon
and tonight the policemen and nie-
men we've busy dispensing crowds.
Two cars were burned, score Oh
cars were attacked forcing the crews
TO abandon them and numerous ar
rests we're made. Except in the cen
tlal part of the city street car SER
vice was almost at a standstill TO-
night. Cars running through the cell
tlal sections were heavily protected
The most serious disturbances were
in Kensington, Philadelphia great
mill district in the northeastern part
of the city. Two cars in different
parts of the district were attacked by
boys and strike sympathizers, COM
Melting the crews to abandon the cars.
The cars were wrecked and both were
set on fire. The cars were damaged
beyond repairs.
Mob scatters.
Great crowds collected in the VI
cinity of the burned cars and for
time it was feared riot would foi-
low. The firemen, however, were Or
dered to turn their hose on the crowd
and the mos quickly scattered.
Along Kensington avenue lumber
and other distractions were piled on
the tracks.
The traction company Withdrew all
its cars in that section tonight, the
company declaring that 1t had men
to run them out but had no desire
TO calse trouble.
West Philadelphia, the southern
section OF the city, Germantown and
other parts of Philadelphia also re-
ported attacks on cars forcing troll
leymen and passengers to seek safety
Many persons were struck by mis-
sis but no one was seriously hurt
Today's strike is the second maui
arration by the trolley men within
a year. The leaders OF the union
claim that the trouble was started Dy
the company. but the corporation
comes back with the reply that the
strike was preaIranged affair on
the port of the union.
Their Demands.
Since the threatened strike OF
month ago. a committee from the
union and President Charles c. kIu-
ger. of the company. hed been en-
deavoring 10 reach an agreement 70
take the place OF the one made after
the strike Of last summer and which
expires on June I. The men in the
proposed agreeme Mt asked for an IN
crease in wages and. among other
things. wanted to Find the company
10 no; recognize any other union but
the Amalgamated Association me
Union leaders charged that a rivai
organization. known as the United
Csrmer's Association. had been PM
IN the field TO defeat the efforts be-
ing made by the Amalgamated Asso-
citation for bitter working conditions.
The company declined TO recognize
the AmaIzamsted AssoC iation exclu-
siveIy. but stated that its men were
free to belong to any union they
wanted to.
The break in the negotiations came
on Thursday and last night and TO-
DAY about 200 men were dismissed
for the good Of the service This
aroused the, indignation Of the men
and they began turning in their cars
about ! O'Clock. The news OF the de-
sections quickly reached union heaG-
quarters With the result that a stf'ke
order was instantly issued.
Have 10 Walk
II was after two O'Clock when ihe
curtailment Of the service became
noticeable and Il became more uncer-
tain a. the hours Dassed. The great
Is, difEculiy. wss experienced from
Eve 10 o'clock when thousands 81
people from stores and other places
found II impossible 10 ge' foothoid
on The cars and thcy we're compelled
10 walk.
The moment he fact hat a strike
had beer called reached city ball the