The Washington herald., 1910-03-15

Philadelphia, March 14-It is probable
that the street car strike viii be settled
and the general strike called OF within
forty-eIght hours. The man who blocked
ali efforts toward arbitration surprised
the city this evening by taking the lead
In oyertures toward the labor unions.
George n. Earle tonight was in con-
ference with William D. Mahon and other
labor leaders. Presid mi Kruger. OF the
Rapid Transit Company. also participated.
The Rapid Transit Company has lost
81 500.d00 In twenty-four days and the out
look was for a receivership and a reor-
ganIzation. which-vould prove costly.
The information is that a few men
financially powerful, heavily interested
in the Rapid Transit Company, de-
cided to-day that the thing had gone
far enough. So young man named Ed
ward Lowber Stokes. member OF the
stock exchange. was put forward.
Mr.. stokes. representing, II is under
stood. the underlying stockholders OF the
Philadelphia a2ld Transit Company,
went TO Mr. Earle's Office this afternoon
and asked him II he would consent 10
have talk with Clarence o. Pratt and
other leaders of the strike Mr. Earle
said that he would be glad to talk over
the situation in a friendly manner with
almost any Of the union leaders except
Pratt He would not stand for him.
HiahOn Is Acceptable.
Mr.. Stokes travelled TO the headquarters
Of the committee Of ten that is directing
the general strike. and put the matter up
to the unions Then Mr.. Earle was asked
If William d. Mahon, president of the In
ternational Federation Of Street and Elee-
trical Railway Employees. would be an ac-
ceptable substitute for Pratt. Mr.. Earle
said that he had no objections TO Mahon.
The meeting was arranged instantly, and
was held in Mr.. Earle's office. With Ma
hon was Stokes, Frank McCusker presi-
dent of the Textile Workers Union;
Charles Leps, OF the Central Labor Union.
and William T. Tracy. vice president OF
the committee Of ten.
There were two conferences. At first
Mr.. Earle met Stokes. Leps. McCusker.
and Tracy Then Mahon arrived and to-
gether they went over oil the difficulties
in the way OF a settlement of the strike.
Mr.. Earle did not feel able TO answer all
the questions that touched upon the atti-
tude of the company, so he suggested that
President Kruger be telephoned for. Mr..
Kruger arrived at Mr.. Earles Office a few
minutes later
It was about o'clock when he got
there, and the conference lasted until 6
o'clock 1t was agreed that no statement
be given out but both the representatives
of the strikers and of the transit company
said that the conference had been friendly
and that the door was open for concilia-
ton.
Both sides Hopeful.
The company appeared to assume that
The strikers were sure that the company
had made the first advances. Both sides
seemed pleased and confident that peace
is IN sight Mr.. Stokes said:
Il believe the whole thing will be set
tied Certainly l hope so. The matter
was brought down to a pretty fine point
at the meeting this afternoon"
1t was learned tonight that the meet
ing resolved itself into a discussion be-
tween President Kruger, for the company.
and W. D. Mahon, for the carmen. After
grievances had been threshed over Ma
hon asked what the company was willing
to do Mr. Kruger replied that the COM
pany would insist on taking care of i. 400
men who had remained loyal to it, and
that there were 25O of the strikers that
wouldn't be taken back under any cir
eumstanees. .dahon said that the com
pany would have to take all or none.
Mahon said tonight:
Certain propositions have been made
looking toward a settlement of the strike
Mr. Earle promised to put several propo-
sitions up to the transit company as soon
as possible. I have great hopes that the
peace will come in day or two
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