Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-01
MERCHANTS ARE ALARMED
Threats of General Walk.Out Stir
Them to Intercede.
CONFERENCES OF INTERESTS
Directors at Meeting May Yield to
Demand That Trouble Be
Arbitrated.

alton was held this forenoon in the office
Of George II. Earle in the real estate
trust building.
Present at the conference besides Mr.
Earle. who is one Of the citys representa-
tives on the board of directors Of the
Rapid Transit Company, was Charles o.
Kruger, president of the company; Clar-
ence Wolf, vice president. and Richard Y.
Cook, president of the Guarantee Trust
and Safe Deposit Company.
Mr.. Earle was sitting in his Office with
Mr.. Cook, a close personal friend and
business associate. when a messenger en-
tered with the announcement that MI
Kruger and Mr. Wolf were outside ana
wanted to see Mr. Earle. Mr.. Earle TOLD
the messenger to send them in. close the
door and not admit any one else.
Earle Holding His Own Counsel.
Before this Mr. Earle had Indignantly
denied a statement made in any news
paper to the effect that he was the only
member Of the Philadelphia Rapid Tran
sit directorate who opposed arbitration.
"It is ridiculous said Mr.. Earle. But
I can't take the time to answer all these
criticisms. If every transit company
director talks. 1t only leads to confusion.
Mr.. Earle then referred his questioner
to an interview with Mayor Reyourn, III IN
while not for arbitration, was always
ready to listen to suggestions that might
bring about peace.
The first indications Of weakening IN
the board of directors of the transit com
pany came last night with the change Of
heart of William H. Carpenter, one OF
the three city representatives on the
transit company's board of directors.
Carpenter gave out two interviews yes
terday one before taking into considera-
ton the popular demands for arbitration,
and one after taking. In his former
stage of opinion he was against having
anything to do with the strikers. In his
final views he was FOR anything that
would establish peace
1t looks from Carpenters change or
mind as if City Director Earle and Mayor
Reyburn might possibly be Influenced by
the popular clamor presently. If the bulk
of the directors refuse to arbitrate in the
long run it may put the company in bad
fix, since then the strikers would have a
real and strong popular support BACK OF
them, and the company would not collect
so many fares as 1t does even now.
Popular Clamor for Peace.
Such a strong popular demand has
sprung up, since the threat Of a general
strike was made last Sunday, for strike
arbitration that 1t looks as if Clarence O..
Pratt and the labor leaders who threat
ened the sympathetic strike knew their
business. The most powerful business
men in Philadelphia may think that the
general strike talk Is bluff. but not so
with the smaller business men and the
great mass of people.
Yesterday there were developments
showing a big spread I'm the concerted
movement to force the traction company
to arbitrate its troubles with the strikers,
and today there are more developments
along the same line. Among other meet
pss one Of the Episcopal ministers Of
Philadelphia to urge arbitration was
scheduled for this morning.
Yesterday three important calls to arbi-
trate were made upon the transit COM
pany. The chief of them came from the
Market Street Merchants Association. A
committee Of the association formed Of
Ellis A. Gimbel and Samuel d. Lit, two
of the largest Philadelphia storekeepers.
called upon the directors OF the transit
company yesterday afternoon. and told
them that the health of the shopping
trade Of Philadelphia needed an early
dose of arbitration treatment. SO that
normal business might be resumed on
Market street.
The directors heard the demand in a
special meeting. They stuck to their de-
cision to have nothing further to do with
the striking men.
The Lutheran ministers and the Metho-
dist ministers. in separate meetings.
framed up recommendations of arbitra-
lions for presentation to the board OF di-
rectors Of the transit company
Labor Leaders on Hand to Help.
A number of national leaders are in
town to help Pratt and his associates in
the matter OF the general strike. John
Mitchell is expected in town and half a
dozen national presidents of trade unions
are here or coming
IF the general strike proposition is a
bluff Pratt knows enough at least to
make 1t a good hard one. As result.
while the opinion OF the best informed
men has not undergone much change.
there is rapid growth In the popular
OF all union labor.
The several locals of the Brotherhood
of Painters and Decorators have in
dorsed the general strike order. All
painters connected with the organization
are instructed to stop work Saturday
morning unless the strike is settled by
arbitration
The labor unions having decided ON q
general strike unless the city takes some
step to force the company to arbitrate.
the sessions Of the select and common
councils Thursday afternoon are looked
forward to with interest. 1t is consid-
will bring forth an arbitration resolution.
but whether the political organisation in
control will agree to take action cannot
be predicted.
State Senator James p McNichol, the
republican leader OF Philadelphia, and Will
liam g. Ware, who stands next to him
in leadership are in Florida, having left
here with party of friends before the
strike began. 1t Ia believed that Senator
McNichol could end the strike If he
cared to interfere.
Director Clay Preparing.
Director of Public Safety Clay, in an
interview today. said he did not regard
the proposed sympathetic strike as
bluff" and told of plans for increasing
the police force in anticipation of further
trouble.
He said:
Under the act of May 81, 1885, the
mayor has power to draft every able
bodied man in Philadelphia for service
in protecting life and property. He can
swear In special policemen indefinitely.
Il expect to have lists prepared Of all
citizens who are OF age and At for such
service.
I'VE do not mean to call for the Nation
al Guard until we have exhausted every
power at our command. I have at my
service still 1000 men who were some
of the 1900 summoned for special duty
a week ago, who can be sworn in at any
moment for police duty in uniform.
I'VE have made arrangements to add
day They will take the places of the
state police in case they should be sum-
moned to South Bethlehem on account
af the strike there getting heyoud con-