The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-28
STRIKE TO AWE CITY
Labor Leaders Admit Pur-
pose in Weeks Delay.
EXPECT COMPANY TO WILT
Vast Army Would BE Idle and Bust
ness Practically ParaIyzed, Unless
Pressure Is Brought TO Bear to In
duce Employers to Prevent General
Strike by Appeal 90 Car Company.

Philadelphia, Feb. 27.-It was one Of the
worst days Philadelphia has suffered since
the employees of the P. r, T, walked out.
The order for a general sympathetic
strike was determined on as the only
means to force the rapid transit company
to arbitrate with its men. The heads of
unions allied with the Amalgamated Car
men declared frankly that their principal
purpose was to make the company give
in. Their reason for postponing the strike
until next Saturday was that the COM
pany may be forced by public opinion to
agree to arbitration. In that event the
general strike order will be rescinded.
The action OF the Central Labor Union
puts it up TO the individual unions 10
vote whether they want to strike AS a
matter OF fact. most of them have already
voted to go out. It is not believed, by
any means. that all of the union laborers
included in the membership of the afiili-
ated unions viii quit, even If the p. r. T.
refuses to be influenced, but the situation
is sufficiently alarming to citizens. who
are wearied of the incessant violence. and
the consequent discredit brought upon
the city.
Vast Army Would BE Idle.
The danger lies in this, that the striking
carmen will have the active help OF per-
haps $1,000 idle men, a restless. dissatis-
fed force that may produce far more dis
order than the city has yet seen. The re-
sumption of rioting to-day was caused
largely by the certainty that a general
strike order would be the result Of the
labor meeting this evening. The prospect
of powerful aid made the strikers and
their sympathizers more dangerous than
they have been at any time since the
State cOnstables appeared in the city.
Tomorrow efforts will be renewed 10
persuade the Rapid Transit Company 20
modify its attitude, and to agree. at
least, TO arbitrate all differences that may
properly arise between employees and
employer, that is 10 say. the question
Of pay. hours of work. and one or two
minor differences. The cleFgymen Of the
city viii renew their offers. and the mat
ter will be taken up by an association OF
business men.
Arbitration Was Favored.
II became known tonight that the
Rapid Transit Company nearly agreed TO
the plan Of the clergymen proposed on
Friday for a board OF arbitration. TO con-
slst Of seven representative citizens. II
was so near, indeed, that a statement
agreeing TO the plan had been drawn up
and was awaiting signatures.
President Kruger was for II, so was
Vice President Wolf; the Wideners had
agreed that it was the course that seemed
wisest, and General Counsel Ballard and
Mayor Reyburn had given their approval
But one man interviewed.
George II. Earle. one Of the city's rep
on the board OF directors,
would have none Of f. Earle insisted on
lighting it out, and made his stand SO
that the rest of the direc-
tors gave IN.
The vote on the general strike propO-
sition was unanimous. according 20
Charles 4. Hope. secretary of the Central
Labor Union. There is no doubt that the
labor leaders believe they will succeed in
calling out the majority of the union
men of the city. and that by doing so
hey will embarrass business enough 70
'orce a demand on the Philadelphia Rapid
Transit TO come TO an agreement with its
men.