The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-21

Wech cautioned everyone to be peace
full, orderly and gentlemanly. He warned
them above all to obey the Law, that
they must have public opinion with them
and that the only way to get it was to
conduct their strike orderly and law
fully. He instructed them to tell every
man as he left the barns, about the strike
being called, that he was not expected to
go to work today unless he wanted to be
a scab and that he should come to the
hall and join the union. The headquar-
ters of the strike for the present is at the
K. of c. hall, which was kept open all
last night to receive the delegations as
they were brought in from the car barns.
The men were instructed to keep at work
all night and be on hand at the car barns
especially when it was time for the cars
to start, running this morning in order to
get all of the men they missed last night.
FORD ASKS FOR
AMPLE PROTECTION
President A. Ii. Ford of the street car
company held conference with the COM
missioners late yesterday afternoon in re-
gard to the strike situation. Mr.. Ford
had previously been waited upon by
delegation from the union men demanding
that he recognize the union and Mr.. Ford
had refused to give them audience.
He conferred with The commissioners in
exc cutive session about the imnlinence of
the strike and what his proposed action
was in regard to refusing to recognize
the unions.
Chief Bodeker was waited upon by a
delegation of union men yesterday after
noon, informed of the meeting last night
and asked to send ample police protec-
ton to the hall to guard the meeting
against the thugs of the Birmingham
| Railway, Light and Power company"
There were several policemen and deputy
| sheriffs at the hall all last night. A
large number of police and deputy sher
ifs were at the car barns all last night,
also. Both the police department and
the sheriff's office deputized many new
officers yesterday.
The meeting last night at X. of c. hail
was very orderly. There were few sensa-
tional or unprincipled utterances. The Of
ficals in charge and the organizer espe-
cially conducted everything In a calm
business-like way, did no mud-slnging
and repeatedly and emphatically discour-
aged disorder and law breaking.
MUCH ENTHUSIASM
SHOWN AT MEETING
There was much enthusiasm at the
meeting throughout the night. Cheers
| and bursts Of applause met every speaker.
There were representatives present from
nearly every allied trade and union in
the city, plumbers, carpenters, steel work.
ers, plasterers, BARRIERS, stage hands and
many others. The executive committee
Of the Trades Council met during the
night and assured the strikers OF sub
stantial moral and financial support. 1t
was stated there was no likelihood of u
sympathetic strike at present, but that
such would be declared II the Birming-
ham Railway, Light and Power company
did not show disposition to treat fairly
and squarely with the union within a
reasonable time.
Outside OF one or two soclalist!c
speeches made at the beginning Of the
general meeting, the entire proceedings
last night we're decorous.
AS tho men we're organized they wore
instructed to 70 to the East Lake car
barna also and bring In men from there
Police. to Work Twelve Hours
Chief I9odeker upon being Informed that
the street car employer union had de-
elarod strike immediately ordered tho
police an a II hour sniff. Later Chief
BodeAer In his automobile went about
the city to look over the situation, but
found It very quiet, He said
II am very sorry 10 bear that the unien
employees of the Birmingham Railway,
Light hnd Power company have decided
to strike, Without gelna iHte the merits
of the case will Hs head of the police
department do my best ia protect all prop
erty and render Justice TO all, whether
striker orr 'stFikehTeakeF,
'The rights of the HiFfniHghem halls
way, Light and PeweF company will be
protected and also the rights of the union
men will be protected