The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-25

Philadelphia, Feb. 24-The Philadelphia
Rapid Transit Company IS so confident
that the backbone Of the strike is broken
that tonight it referred an offer OF media
ton, made by the ministers OF the city,
to meeting Of its board Of directors.
which Will not be held until week from
next Monday.
There was a general impression early
tonight that the company would agres to
arbitrate all differences save only the
question OF recognizing the Amalgamated
Union, but the company let It become
known at 10 p. m. that it was standing
pat and thoroughly satisfied with its i'm
proved position.
/ Its attitude was based largely on the
| success OF the State constabulary IN
checking the riot and on it's success IN
extending its service to-day. For the
first time since Saturday citizens were
able to go about their business without
dodging through back streets to escape
bullets and bricks.
The stand OF the transit company is
bitterly disappointing TO c. o. Pratt.
John J. Murphy. and the other strike
leaders, who have been feeling their way
toward arbitration. They were 80 sure
that the company would be forced by
the action OF the ministers TO agree 10
some form OF compromise that they were
iubiant and boastfui early in the day.
COmpany's Attitude Stern.
The Philadelphia Rapid Transit intends
to smash the Amalgamated Union once
for all. What Pratt and the strikers IN
tend 70 dc. nobody can tell II. in the
desperate nat re of their case, they eal1
on allied trades uajons TO strike In SYM
pathy and make a general fight OF II.
even more seriously trouble is likely TO
follow. because in that event the Nation
al Guard, 10 the number Of 1000. will
probably be called in 20 protect the cit
izens.
The company is making a fight on one
main proposition-its right to run an
open shop. II has stated that it will
not take orders from Pratt
Mayor Reyburn declared tonight that
the strike is virtually broken. He said
also that nothing could be gained by ar
bitrating the dispute
"ReaSOnabIer Order Restored.
The State poHce-9O4 seasoned fighters
under capt John c. Groome-secured in
a few hours to-day what the police force
Of the city-3,4oO men-were not able TO
bring about in five days-reasonable or
der. They were detailed to sections Of
the city where rioting had been most
prevalent Mobs of strikers and loafers
| jeered them ard threw decayed fruit. and
occasionally the constables had 10 draw
their revolvers and level them at the
crowds.
At II o'clock to-day the four troops
massed at Broad street and Lehigh ave-
nue.. Each had a following crowd as the
horsemen slowly rode TO the meeting
point. From each saddle dangled a pair
Of steel handouts, which clanked threat
enly against the handle Of the hickory
riot sticks. Some OF the sergeants had
chains with handouts upon them. Head
ed by Deputy Superintendent Lamb, the
policemen marched south on Broad street
in a column OF twos. the troops in al
phabetical order. The line stretched out
for two blocks. Capt. Groome preceded
the troopers to the Offices Of the COM
pany. and was in consultation with Pres
ident Kruger when the command arrived.
| Backing their horses TO the curb the
State police rested on Dauphin street
while the conference was in progress
Afterward Troop went up Eighth
/ .r,ss, x--ha Ia
troop was detailed in squads to different
posts along the route.
KensingtOn District Guarded.
-Four men were stationed at each inter-
secting street corner on Germantown ave
nue.. east Of Fifth street and north OF
Lehigh avenue. which street was pa
trolled by 3 Troop In this manner the
ierAire Kensington district was honey
combed with the Black Hussars. as they
are called in the coal regions, and each
troop was in communication with the
other at the most distant post
As soon as anA patrols were placed, they
began to get into action. The crowds
were kept moving bx the State police
men, the troopers riding up TO the groups
and telling them TO disperse.
AT Fifth street and Columbia avenue
workers in the mill of the Sheip Manu-
Featuring Company threw bits of
wood orange peel. and other refuse
at the troopers. They jeered. but the
troopers paid no attention until the storm
of missiles from mill windows became
too constant to be pleasant. When some
one on the sidewalk threw a brick al a
passing Sixth street car a squad of
twelve troopers in the block between
Fifth and Sixth streets lined up at the
command Of the sergeant and drew their
Irevolvers. Taking aim at the offenders
in the mill windows and covering the
crowds on the sidewalks. the troopers
awaited the order to fire The workers
scattered In mad haste.
A stone thrown from q crowd in front
Of the Hardwiek & Magee carpet mill, at
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