Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-01
OFFICIALS DEAF
TOCRY FOR PEAC {
TRANSIT CO. Rejects ARBI-
TRATION URGED BY ALL
PHILADELPHIA STRIKE SlTuA-
TIoN GLOOMY
National Heads of Labor organiza-
tions Hurrylng to City for Meet
ing-GeneraI Strike May
Be Preclpitated
Associated Pressl


PHILADELPHIA Feb. 2S.-In spite
of the constantly increasing demands
by members of religious bodies and oth-
ers that the strike against the Rapid
Transit company be settled by aroltra-
ton. officials of that company declared
that no proposition to arbitrate Is be
ing considered by the board OF direct
ors.
along the lines of the company today
and an increased number of cars were
operated.
Heavy rains tonight kept the crowds
from the streets, and cars were run on
all lines until midnight.
Many labor leaders still hope pubic
sympathy will force arbitration before
the general strike voted yesterday goes
into effect.
The national heads of labor organiza-
+ions are expected to reach the city in
time to attend another meeting of labor
chiefs on wednesday, and 1t is possible
the general strike may then be changed
to become effective Immediately.
Mayor Reyburn said tonight the stu
alton had improved greatly today, ana
he was confident the men and company
would get together for an amicable set
Element If outsiders did not interfere
The proposal to arbitrate, he said,
was talked over at today's meeting or
+he rapid transit board, but he took no
part in the discussion.
Union Button Forbidden
Men who report for work tomorrow
morning, the mayor stated, VIII be TAX
en- back and subjected to no penalty.
They must come as individuals, hoWeV-
or. and will not be permitted to wear
the union button.
"The arguments put forth for arbi-
~
rnayor Their effect is to hoodwink
the men. The last strike was settled
by arbitration, and see the result
Men are being sent to prison and lives
are endangered and property de-
stroyed. Let the men and the COM
pany settle their own difficulties
Councils will meet Thursday, when
some action to end the strike VIII be
taken
e q. Pratt. leader of the car men,
said this afternoon:
"One reason why we deferred the
general strike until Saturday was 10
give the worlmen an opportunity to
go to their employers and emphasize
the necessity for arbitration. If the
employers do not see fit to urge set
Element, we must assume they are sid
ing with the faction attempting TO
crush organized labor and that their
agreements with their workmen are
no longer binding"
A number of disturbances occurred
tonight in the southern section of the
city. Joseph Kinsley was shot in the
leg during a strike argument. His
assailant, a negro, escaped.
At another place near the scene or
this trouble a policeman suffered a
probable fracture of the skull in a
peculiar manner. He was leaving a
pay-within car to stop a band of boys
from stoning the trolley when the
motorman closed the door too quickly
The policeman was tripped and pitched
head first into the street.
It is reported that the National Civic
federation will endeavor to settle the
trolley strike and that John Mitchell
is coming here to look over the situ-
alton.
The local Methodist and Lutheran
ministers at their usual weekly meet
ings today adopted resolutions urging
Immediate arbitration.
Organized labor having spoken, and
the company having stated that there
is nothing to arbitrate, the matter Is
now up to the city administration.
The decision for a general strike is
conditional on the city of Philadelphia
making a bona fide effort to arbitrate
the differences between the company
and its men.
Inc city is partner III Iile Rdplu
Transit company it having three rep
resentatives on the board of direc-
tors. These representatives are elect
ed by the two branches Of the city
council and the present members are
Mayor Reyburn, George H. Earl jr,
and William H. Carpenter.
Mayor Reyburn's opinion that the
probabilities of a general strike are
remote was unchanged by the action
of the Central Labor union. The
mayor says he questions whether the
labor unions control $4,000 men, or
even much more than a third of that
number.
"All that I can see in their action
is that they hope it may bring about
some settlement" he said.