New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-06-16
CHICAGO STREET GAR
STRIKE IS SETTLED
Agreement Reached to Settle All
Points at Issue by Arbitration
MEN RETURN TO THEIR POSTS
Mayor Thompson, Generally Credited
with Ending Grievances Chosen
Neutral Member Of Arbitration
Board Promises Square Deal.
MEN RETURN TO THEIR POSTS


Chicago, June 16.-The Chicago
street car strike is over. 1t was set
tied by an agreement to arbitrate.
and by noon the familiar roar of the
elevated train and the gopgs Of the
surface cars were heard sagain.
The appearance OF the first sur
face car some hours after the elevat-
ed trains were running was cheered
In the down town district as the vis-
ible evidence that the rty-eight
hour strike was at an end. Other
cars followed with increasing fire.
quency and the drivers of vans and
other vehicles which have been reap
ing harvest in transporting the pop
ulation began returning to their reg
ular vocations.
All Night Conference.
The settlement was reached after
an all-night conference behind locked
doors in the mayors Office. It was
attended by Mayor Thompson, the
aldermanic mediation committee, the
grievance committee Of the unions,
and the presidents Of the traction
companies.
The arbitration board will consist
Of a representative of each side. with
Mayor Thompson the neutral mem
Der. The mayor generally was credi-
ted with ending the strike.
No Arrests Necessary. 0
The strike was remarkable in that
no evidence was traced to striker
and that no arrests we're necessary,
as well as for the good humor with
which the public accepted 1t.
N Officials OF the, companies will select
an arbitrator by Saturday. 1t was an
nounced. w. D.. Mahon, internation-
al president Of the Street Car Mems
probably will be named to rep
resent the men.
Fifteen Hour Conference.
5 The selection of Mayor Thompson
came at the end of fifteen hour
which began yesterday af-
ternoon. Union leaders, ofiicials of
the traction lines and rnembers CO
the mayors aidermanic strike conn
rnittee were in attspdanee AT When
labor leaders and tract4 400 of1icials an
nounced they &could Hi Asn emo. agree
ment, Mayor Thompson locked the
doors of his off1ces and told the men
that he would keep them there until
q solution OF the situation was
After heated discussion on the
question Of selecting = third arbitra-
tor. Leonard "A. Busby, president OF
the Chicago Surface Lines suggested
the name Of Mayor Thompson. The
committee representing the street car
men. headed by w. D. Mahon, retired
to consider the suggestlon Within
ten minutes they returned.
Announcement Loudly Cheered.
wen take him., was the simple
announcement that electrified the
weary group Of men. Handclapping
and cheering echoed through the corr
ridors Of the City hall.
Mayor Thompson unlocked the
doors Of his Office and the labor
leaders marched out, their faces
wreathed in smiles.
Promises Square Deal.
wait minute" called the mayor.
II want to tell you men how much
appreciate what you have done. I
will accept this responsibility and will
90 the best / can and see that a
square deal is given ali around"
Sessions of the board of arbitration
probably will be begun early next
week, it was announced. The plan
decided upuon stipulates that all ques-
tions at issue will be heard without |
any advance concessions having been
made.
Ban on Strike Breakers
Oflcials Of the traction system tele-
graphed to eastern labor agencies not |
to employ any more men, as strike |
breakers. Six thousand men already |!
had been started here, 1t was said. |
Sixteen hundred strike breakers ar
rsvd last night and were placed under |
guard In lodging houses and termi-
mails of the companies