The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-03-02
DEMAND FOR
ARBITRATION
Philadelphia Turns on
Traction Company.
FEARS BIG STRIKE.
Banks and Merchants Bring
Pressure to Bear.
POLITICIANS ASKED TO AID.
POLITICIANS ASKED TO AID.

Philadelphia. March 1.-As every
hour brings nearer the time fixed for
the general strike Of 12J,00O workmen
in sympathy with the striking motor
men and conductors of the Philadel-
phia Rapid Transit company business
men are taking the alarm, and scores
of organizations have appealed to the
mayor and city councils to endeavOr to
bring about arbitration of the matters
in dispute between the company and
its men.
The impression strengthens hourly
that the Central Labor union was not
bluffing when it ordered general
sympathetic strike. Merchants and
manufacturers who laughed a few
days ago at the possibility of extended
trouble have become apprehensive.
They are scared, and they admit IT,
Business has been cramped enough as
1t is by the deviltry that grew out of
the carmen's strike. The possibilities
that hinge upon a general walkout
have made these business men thor
oughly uncomfortable.
GUS position of being about to lose a
strike that il has won, dilemma
brought upon itself by the snub it gave
90 the ciergymen OF the city when II
told the ministers that 1t would not
arbitrate anything. The pertinacity Of
one man, George ii. Earle, one of three
city representatives on the transit
company's board Of directors, required
the company TO take that stand.
Previously the sympathies of a pub
lie were with the company because ii
was generally believed that it was
within its rights in declining to permit
Clarence o. Pratt, the Detroit labor
leader, and the Amalgamated Union
of Street Railway Employees to die
tate how and when ii should employ
or discharge its men. For upward of a
week public opinion backed up the
transit directors. People turned a cold
shoulder toward Pratt and the strik-
ers The mems position was made
even more untenable because Of wide
spread and vicious disorder. Little by
little, car by car, the company reinsti-
tuted service until 1t was within 30
per cent of the normal
But the strike seemed likely TO drag
out for weeks, because Pratt is q fight
er and maintains extraordinary ascen-
dency over his followers. The strik-
ers We're willing TO arbitrate, and they
would have agreed 10 the decision of a
board of arbitration even if the board
had eliminated the question of exclu-
sive recognition Of their union
Acting In response to a general de
mand, the clergymen, including Bishop
Fowler of the Methodist church and
Archbishop Ryan Of the Roman Cath
olic diocese, offered means of adjust
ment. The company through its dl-
rectors gave heed TO George ii. Earle
and turned down the nrediatory offers
Then, as had been threatened, "A gen
eral strike was planned and called.
Pratt and Murphy had enough influ-
ence with the leaders of 125.OOO union
worRmen to swing them in behind the
carmen. As things stand now, these
men will leave their picks in the air
ON next Saturday morning unless the
transit company decides to leave the
points OF difference between itself and
IT'S men TO board of arbitration.
The company now stands in lust the
position IL had the striking carmen
three days ago. Its back is TO the
wall, and 1t is being attacked by ev
erybOdy who has an interest in the |
present crisis.
Half dozen movements have been
started to compel the transit company
TO arbitrate. Nobody wants a general
strike, not even the union men who
are preparing To walk out, but the
town Is thoroughly convinced that a
general strike is inevitable in case the
transit company remains obdurate
Employers of all kinds-brewe II
heads Of weaving factories, the Cramp
firm. men who employ |
machinists. steamftters, carpenters.
taiIDrs, milk wagon drivers, electrical |
workers and hundred other kinds OF |
asked their men what !
they really intend to do IL the transit
company refuses 10 arbitrate In al |
most every case they have been ia