The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-04
Attorney of Striking Fmp|ols' InVOk9s Old Law of Afbi-
 tra'ion of Difficulties
COMPANY AGREES ID 
 ABIDE BY THE LAE
The City Council Holds Session Frer- Which Public Is Excluded and All l Pleas to End the Strike Are l Tabled or Dismissed

Philadelphia, March 3.-The first step to- ward having the differences between the striking street car men and the Phila- delpha Rapid Transit company settiei under the authority Of the courts and thus prevent the gigantic sympatheti, strike was taken tonight by the carmen An attorney representing the Amalgs- mated Association of Street and Electrso Employees wrote to President Kruger 0 the Philadelphia Rapid Transit company asking that he join in an application i be made to the courts under the act c, 1893 for the appointment of a board O arbitration to decide the differences ex- isting between the strikers and the tran sit company. A reply is requested before noon tomorrow.
 Before the receipt of the communication President Kruger was shown a copy O the law by representatives of the Unite Business Mems association. who aske him if the officials of the company wouli abide by it. He replied.
 Certainly. the company will submit to law
  followed the suggestion of Mayor ReS- burn, who in his message to city coun- cils today stated that 'the courts of law are available for the redress of any real grievance which may exist between the Philadelphia Rapid Transit company and it's employees
 For the first time in five years the citizens were excluded from the sessions of their chosen representatives this sfts ernoon. An hour before eonvenins tli select and common councils, vast crowa had gathered on the fourth floor of the city hall, but policemen kept all say the councilmen, reporters and & few priv ileged persons out the gate which leads to the council chamber.
 strike Ia Ignored
 The strike was practically ignored hg both bodies. A message from Mayor Reybnrn reviewed the situation hriens in these words:
 Tt is not the citys duty, nor yours nor mine, to interfere between the Phils- delphia Rapid Transit company and its employees. The courts of law are avail able for the redress of any real grev- ance which either may have against the other. No reason exists, nor can exist. in proper cases, why they and all other disputants should not submit their dif- ferences 10 the court or adjust their dis putes between themselves. It is of the utmost importance, however. for the good name of our city and for the safety Of it's citizens, that no step should be taken by your honorable bodies or by any others which would undo or in any way or manner interfere with that which has already been done, or lead any person to think or believe that he can. by the aid of the machinery of the executive or legislative branches of the municipal gov ernment enforce any demand not cog nizable In the courts or voluntarily ad- unstable between the partiese
 Any attempt, however honest it may be, which tends to draw away from the parties themselves. or from the judiciary the determination of disputes which under the constitution and laws of the common wealth are intrusted to them, necessarily weakens and impairs our form of govern ment, and in the present case would but tend to prolong the agitation that win de- lay the restoration of full service by the transit company.
 This the public is entitled to- and con- fidently believe by the continuance of present peaceful conditions it soon will be fully restored. In bringing about peace and good order I rely on the cooperation and aid of the councils and the support of all law-abiding citizens
 Agreement With Mayor
 That the councils were fin entire accord with the mayors views in tiie foregoing was made evident by the absence of any action or discussion relative to the crisiG. Several petitions from business mems ,ao- sociations and trade organizations bearing on the strike were heard without corn- mcnt, A resolution from the Central Labor union, signed by John J. Murphy. the president, requesting arbitration wa. introduced in the common council by James Clough, member from the ThiP- tieth ward. 'by request as he explained It was referred to the law committee.
 In secelt council. Thomas MacFarlan1 presented resolution instructing Mayor Reyburn. William H. Carpenter ana George H. Earle. the city's representative on the Philadelphia Rapid Transit board of directors. to demand the submission q the company to arbitration.
 
 ately moved that the resolution be tabled He said he was informed that an act oe the legislature of 1893 permitted either party in a dispute over wages to carry his case to the court of common pleas, and that this gave the striking carmen n adequate remedy in law The motion e table was carried with only a few dio. sentng votes.
 MacFarland twice attempted thereafter to gain the privilege of the floor fin or, der to present another resolution but President Hazlett refused to recogniao him. This resolution satirically called up on tour peerless leader" James P Nich- oli, who is now sojourning in sunny Florida under the sheltering palms n company with certain influential republic- an and democratic members of councils and founders of the Working Men's and issue the necessary orders 10 Rey-
 
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