The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-30
COLUMBIA STRIKE SETTLED.
REGULAR SCHEDULES ON ALL
LINES RESUMED SATURDAY
MORNING.
Terms of Settlement viii not bc Pub
iished. but Both Sides Say That
Arrangements are Satisfactory.

thc toiunlDid street railway mas
ended. The street car service
will be resumed this morning. one
week from the time at which the
strike was declared. The 104 strikers
and the company reached an agree
ment yesterday afternoon at 2:45
O'Clock when a two year contract was
signed by both parties.
The union OF street car men and
the company mutually agreed not to
consent to the publication of the con-
tract. Therefore. any statement as to
It's terms must be unofficial.
IL Is generally understood. how
ever. that the contract was signed by
A. A. Gerald. street car conductor.
as president of local division No. $50
and that the Amalgamated Associa-
ton OF street and Electric Railway
Employees Of America was not named
as a party to the contract. 1t is also
understood that the contract allows
any of the employees to submit their
grievances to the superintendent Of
the company. and. In case Of an un-
favorable decision by him. TO appeal
first to the general manager. then to
the president. and. finally. as a court
OF last resort. to the board of di-
rectors.
Although the terms of the contract
have not been made public. they are
undoubtedly satisfactory TO the union
and the company. Henry j. Hardy.
district organizer for the American
Federation OF Labor. who submitted
the contract yesterday to the members
OF the union. and william Elliott, vice
president and counsel for the Colum-
bia Railway. Gas and Electric COM
pany. each save out statements to the
effect that both the company and the
strikers were satisfied.
The breaking OF the apparent dead
lock. In which the company and strik-
srs were contending was due in large
measure TO the mediation OF Robert
J. Biaiock. a member OF the Columbia
city council. and w. C. Howard of
Burlington. Iowa. a salesman for the
Peerless Motor Car company
Mr.. Howard. who has been in CO.
lumbia for the last few days. was
induced by s. Il. McMaster to as
sumo the role OF peacemaker. Mr..
Howard. man OF compelling person
ality. endowed with tact. the gift OF
words. and. above all. an absolutely
disinterested stranger. was looked
upn by Mr.. McMaster as the ideal
mediator.
Mr.. Howard in.e nded to leave CO.
lumbia yesterday for Augusta. Mr..
McMaster said that he thought when
he awoke yesterday morning Of max
ing Mr.. Howard a mediator and hur-
ried TO the union station to reach him
before ne left town. IL happened.
however. that Mr.. Howard was still at
his hotel as he planned TO take la
ter train to Augusta Mr. McMaster
found him there.
The two interviewed Edwin w.
Robertson. president of the Columbia
Railway. Gas and Electric company.
who told him to see William Elliott,
the vice president of the company. At
the conference with Mr.. Elliott. the
details OF the strike situation were
discussed. Then Mr.. Howard and Mr..
McMaster went To the hall used by the
members Of the striking union To zee
Henry ]. Hardy. district organizer for
the American Federation of Labor,
who has been I'm charge OF tho strike
ever since IL began last Saturday
morning.
Another conference ensued at
which the strikers side OF the mat
ter was thoroughly discussed Mr..
Howard told Mr.. Hardy that the strik-
"rs ard the company were separated
hy Sdch a thin barrier that they ought
To- break through and settle at once.
Mr.. Hardy accordingly went To Mr.
Elliotts office with Mr.. Howard. In
very short time Mr.. Elliott and Mr..
Hardy reached AN agreement. Mr..
Howard and Mr. HARDY appeared be-
fore the members OF the union and
advised the-, To accept tho contract
agreed upon. Both made addresses
10 the strikers. The agreement was
acceptable TO the union and n com
mittee with power TO act was appoint
ed To wait on Mr.. Elliott. The com
tract was signed at 2.i5 o'clock with
out further discussion.
Robert +. Blalock. member OF the