The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-03-01
IoOting OF Streets Is
Real Cause of BIOOdShed
sx MARLEN E. PEW.

tasHILADELPfIlA. Feb. 2S-ln the
Aets of Philadelphia $500 men arm
.h life-destroying weapons. 10000
fAnen under first call. hundreds
lea, women and little children
tod and bleeding in hospitals. 900
rk arrest for peace breaking. 900
tdcprivcd OF the use of cars on
they own. wholesale au-
owShorized murder. class hatred flaming.
fact, civil war.
n What does it mean?
Beneath the surface OF the savage
strike OF motormen and conductors OF
the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co lies
n a fostering civic sore.
The strike is merely an acute mani
Hesitation of the poison in the blood OF
the third city OF the nation. the city
OF Brolherly Love-" the Cradle OF Lib
erty;r the seat OF our fathers consti-
futional guarantee of equal rights TO
which we all cling with patriotic de-
yotion, and which we would die 10 pre-
serve from foreign assault. for upon IL
we depend for the protection. prosper
ity and happiness of our children.
This poison OF the blood is the deadly
virus of privilege. Ii is the blighting
germ of corporate greed in the veins
of government
Here today the cancer is naked It's
cause. the contaminated blood, is the
national problem: the national sick
ness. which breaks out in civic sores
at the slightest scratch.
Witness the graft prosecutions to-
day in Chicago. San Francisco. New
York, Ohio, and at the seat of national
government in Washington.
Condition Is PaIpabIe.
II is because Philadelphia's condition
Is so serious, 50 plain. SO typical Of
the worst in government. and SO con-
vinClngly proof of the evil effects OF
special privilege that it stands out the
greatest object lesson OF the day.
All the violence and blOOdshed, all
the shame and most ~ the human
Indebtedness in this city is the wage
of the cltys own civic sins.
She has long been thoughtless OF
civic duty. careless of civic honor,
grossly apathetic toward progressive
men and measures. and stupidity parti.
san.
Successive gangs of corrupt poll
tIcians IN league with GINNING business
men have proved upon the city gov
eminent until every function OF II IS
undermined or tainted.
The city no longer serves it's people
lit serves q gans OF polite scOundrels
who boldly rob the people the year
round. and oil election day coddle, or
club or deceive them into keeping the
gang In power
For 90 years Phiadeiphlans have
stood Idly blinking. whilst sharp gang
: stcfs have exploited the public streets
for private gain
The company which provoked the
present strike and attendant misery Is
the trustized result Of years Of inan-
: cial Juggling Of that public utility
Corporation is Soften.
The Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co
Is the rOttCnost public service cOrpor-
3 alton In the world. Conceived by Wild
z{ eIer and Elkins. tnc company has
Known no virtue. IL mas violated every
pledge TO ana every gight OF the peo-
81 pic Today i; pay stockholders ap-
pr01imAteiy 5000 900 a year on "A cap
1talizaiiOn oi SSt5JJ.o00. of which $40
100000 is va ser cut OF the deep blue
sea.
The stakeholder OF subsidiary lines
ale receiving euaranteed dividends mp
Ia IS high as 100 per cent on the orig
ma actual inyeement.
Bat the traction trust poses as "A
0ankrup;, u pays nothing 90 the city.
lt chargeS scent fare. with cents for
transfer and give miserable service.
The strike came when the company
discharged employed because they
were union men, The union men ~
strike last June forced mp wages AMI
secured reasonable hours. The com
pany submitted a. a political exped.-
emit but after election formed a
Junior" OF strike breakers and dis.
charged The Oil men by wholesale
This thieving trust held $3.50 for a
1ohour day too much or a working
men. hence the cossacks and war
But the car strike is only one D!
many evil results. and one must go Tar
back In history 10 find the FIRST causes
In an eftor 20 explain Philadelphia
easy submission 10 the grating rings