South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-06-15
Bridge Tenders and Car Super
ViSorS Walk Out Increasing
Difficulties Because Former
Are Expert Signal Men.
TRANSFERS WITHDRAW
THEIR THREAT TO QUIT
Second Day of Great Tie-Up in
Chicago Likely to Witness
Attempt to Operate Surface
CarS-HOteIS Crowded.

CHICAGO. June 15-The first bull
let fred in the street car and elevated
strike today struck a sOuthbOund ele-
vated train as it was pulling up TO
the Chicago avenue station. The bull
let hit just above a window in the
rear of the first coach in which were
riding one woman passenger and De-
tectiVe Lee. The police guarding the
elevated structure attempted 10 locate
the person who fired the shot but
were unsuccessful.
Earlier in the day an attempt was
made to wreck an elevated train on
the north side line by hurting a heavy
scantling across the track. The tim
Der struck the forward wheels of the
first car Of the train and was knocked
+ 20 the ground without doing any dam
age.
Bridge Tenders Strike.
Eight bridge tenders and nine street
car supervisors joined the striking
/ forces OF the street car and elevated
employees and walked out today.
Though their number was small the
strike OF the bridge tenders was keen
/ ly felt, as they are the expert signal
men who direct the movements of
steam trains over the Chicago river
bridges.
! The supervisors are the men who
! I'M peace time are referred TO as spot
ters. Their work includes the super
lvising OF the operation of cars and
1.-THE handling Of passengers at crowd
|. ed points.
Considerable relief was expressed
today when the local union OF team
/ sters caused the announcement to be
made that they would not go out on
strike FOR some time there has been
dissatisfaction among the organized
teamsters on account of a threatened
reduction Of so cents a week in their
wages.
Employers OF the teamsters have
decided not TO make the cut in wages,
and the union officials today said they
were content 20 continue working in
the hope that business conditions will
improve sufficiently TO warrant their
asking for an increase in pay two
years hence.
Expect to RTn Surface Cars.
With continuous service on a slow
schedule on the elevated from Gar
deld park TO Wilson av- on the north
side promised today and rUmors that
an attempt would be made TO operate
surface cars, Chicago entered the sec
Ond day OF the greatest car strike in
the history OF the United States.
Under secret orders 100 picked po-
records for raveTy-reported to AS
sistant Police Chief Schuetteler this
morning. What their work was to
be, the men themselves did not know.
Early today a report was circulated
that surface cars were TO be run out
OF the Armitage av. barns In few
minutes more than so strikers were
gathered about the barns, their ac-
items portending a fight if any cars
were started.
City Faces Problem.
The city today grappled with the
strike problem under authority of the
city council. In one of the stOrmlest
sessions il has ever known, the cOun-
ell voted under a suspension OF the
rules 10 prohibit the importation of
strike breakers; provided for COM
mittee headed by Mayor Thompson TO
Try TO effect an immediate settlement
OF the strike and refused 10 grant Po-
lice Chief Healey's request for an ap-
propriation 10 employ 1000 extra spe-
CiaI policemen and purchase 5000
rounds of ammunition for the police.
The council tried. but failed TO pass
nm ordinance calling upon Mayor
Thomson 10 seize the surface and
elevated properties and operate them
until the strike Is settled.
Scenes on Chicago streets today
rivaIed the gayest carnival Every
one appeared TO enjoy the novelty OF
undergoing transportation hardship.
Every sort OF wheeled craft was util-
lied today 20 bring workers down
town. and huge profits were piled up
by owners Of automobiles. trucks.
wagons and other vehicles. Scores OF
persons were hurt yesterday and to-
day in automobile accidents resulting
from the traffic congestion. Few pas
senEers braved the danger OF riding
on the elevated trains manned by
strike breakers. although all trains
carried big police guard.
Rich Conductor Gets Rest.
One man. pleased with the prospect
OF a Ions strike. was Henry Tooerg'
the worlds richest conductor. who iS
having his first vacation since 1851
Toberg has been a street car conduc-
tor 40 years. About 90 years ago he
purchased street car company stock
with his savings His wealth is esu-
mated al S25O.OO0.
The private telephone cable US the
metropolitan elevated system. a
branch Of the Chicago elevated rat
ways against which the strike is =,
force. was cut during the nig;It, and
today the roads entire telephone
plant was out OF commission for sew
eral hours.
Two elevated trains started today
from the Wilson av. north side ter
minal and another left the 6lst st.
station on the south side. All Of the
cars were under police guard, and
were prepared 10 receive passen gers
and collect fares Pres't Britton I.
Rudd of the elevated company said
the crews OF the trains were union
men who have returned 10 work.