Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-09-11
Sympathetic WaIkout Depend
ent on Necessity and Or
ganization Vote.
SUSPENSION OF TRAFFIC
ON MANY SURFACE LINES
Impeded Travel on Subway and Ele-
waited Roads in New York-Gom-
pers Urges Labor Support.

NEW YORK, September H.
With the leaders of 10000 labor
men of Greater New York and
vicinity threatening sympathetic
strike, traffic on the subway and
elevated lines in Manhattan and
the Bronx impeded, and the sur-
face systems in those two bor-
oughs and Westchester county
virtually tied up, the general
strike situation assumed a more
serious aspect.
Samuel Gompers, president OF
the American Federation of
Labor, declined to discuss the
probability of general strike.
Union leaders asserted that, if
necessary, $1,000 union men
could be called out within six
hours.
Difference of Opinion.
Traction officials attribute the falling
of in service on the subways and ele-
waited roads to the unprecedented in
crease in traffic caused by the stoppage
of all the surface lines. Union leaders
Io<a ~
heretofore loyal employees of the roads
was responsible.
All members of trade unions in New
York, Yonkers, Mount Vernon and New
Rochelle found themselves today active
factors in the dispute between the In
terborough Rapid Transit Company
and it's employees. The various individ-
ual labor organizations in, these cities,
served by the Interborough and it's sub
sidiary companies, received the appeal
drafted by the Central Labor Union last
night requesting a sympathetic strike
Of all organized wage earners In their
jurisdiction "in support OF the conten-
tion Of the setreet railway men for the
right to organize"
Sympathetic Strike Delay.
Since the response to this appeal must
be decided by vote Of members. several
days must elapse before its effect will
be known. A Central Labor Union COM
mittee has been organized. however.
Daily meetings will be held 20 direct a
sympathetic general strike, in case 1t
is called.
Opinions were expressed today that
most of the unions appealed to would
defer definite action in the hope that
such a radical step might be avoided.
Labor leaders declared, however. that
strikes might be called without delay
in trades directly affecting the opera
ton of street cars, such as longshore-
men, who handle coal barges. and en-
gineers who work in power houses.
Strike Spreads on Surface Lines.
While elevated and subway lines con-
tinued running today, without apparent
interruption, the strike on the surface
lines has spread rapidly. Union off,
cials assert that 1850 men are on
strike.
Not a car wheel turned all day Sun
day in Yonkers. Mount Vernon and New
Rochelle. Every surface car also stop
ped running, last night, in Manhattan
and the Bronx, after these two bor-
oughs had received an extremely lin
JitneyS were in demand yesterday,
particularly in the cross-town thor
oughfares of the city. In some in
stances adults were observed on roller
skates.
The seriousness of the situation has
caused citizens to turn for relief to
the municipal government 1t is ex-
pected that the public service commits
sion, which has been investigating the
strike, will make a report, some time
today. placing responsibility for the
situation and throwing Its official in
huence into the balance to aid the side
whose contention Is upheld.
Sympathetic Strike Urged.
The resolution passed by the Central
Labor Union last night calls on all
unionized wage earners in Greater New
York. Yonkers, Mount Vernon, White
Plains and New Rochells to sanction a
strike "in support Of the contention of
the street railway men of their right to
organize" The resolution recommend
ed that the workers in the various
trades LAY down their tools until the
companies are forced to recognize the
carmen's union"
approximately 100000 men and women
are enrolled in the unions that were
represented at the meeting.
The delegates, 1t was said, discussed
the possibility of collateral street rail-
roads assuming the attitude of officials
of the Interborough Rapid Transit
Company and the other lines involved
in the strike here. who, at the present
time. recognize the union. but insist
upon intimidating their men to ignore
it," The delegates were unanimously
of the opinion. it was asserted, that the
action of the transit managers was
something that affected trade unionism
as a whole"
Assurances Are Given.
Delegates at the meeting. it was said,
assured William B. Fitzgerald. organ
izer of the carmen's union. that their
members were willing to fight to
finish. morally. physically and flnan-