Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-09-20
SHONTS HOLDS
TO RESOLUTION
Informs Committee Will
Refuse to Meet Repre-
sentatives of Strikers
Serious Rioting at
Night

New York, Sept. 1s.-After citizens
committee had failed to effect basis
Of settlement between the striking un-
ion car men and their employers here,
it was announced tonight that appar-
emily the only hope of averting a
threatened sympathy walkout OF 100,-
900 workers set for Friday now lies in
a final appeal to be made to the labor
leaders Thursday.
The citizens committee probably will
confer tomorrow with Mayor Mitchell
and Oscar S. Straus, chairman of the
Public Service Commission, in an ef-
fort to find some solution of the prob
lem.
Following conference today with
the mayor and Mr.. Straus. the commit
tee visited Theodore P. Shonts. pres
ident of the Interborough Rapid Tran
sit Co., and the New York Railways
Co., and, it was said. proposed to him
a plan evolved for the peaceable ad-
justment of the present differences.
Mr.. Shonts, it was learned tonight,
informed the committee that he would
refuse positively to ~meet representa-
tives Of the strikers.
Mr.. Shonts told the committee that,
even if he were disposed to treat With
the strikers, he could not do SO be-
cause the 1900 loyal employees OF the
companies who make possible the con-
tinuance of traffic on the subways and
elevated roads, had threatened to strike
If the Interborough recognized the
strikers union.
In the meantime a meeting OF the
Central Conference Committee Of the
strikers was held to count the strike
votes Of those organizations which
have already voted. Ernest Bohm, sec
retary OF the Central Federated Union
announced at the close Of the meeting
that communications had been receiv-
ed from ''three big unorganized groups
Of employees in three great industries
asking permission to join in the strike
Riotins
The most serious rioting since the tran
sit strike began two weeks ago occurred
tonight in various parts of Manhattan
when attempts were made to run cars on
the 42d and 59th street cross-town surface
ers stormed two car barns, overpowering
the police and putting to flight all rail-
way employees in the vicinities. Several
motormen and conductors who had not
joined the strike were beaten. Calls were
sent to police headquarters for reserves.
but before they arrived much damage
had been done.
The police assert the strikers took ad-
vantage Of the fact that many police who
had been detailed for strike duty were
relieved to go to the polling booths in
today's primary election. The strikers
apparently planned their attacks. it was
said, as disorders occurred in many places
at the same time.
At 42d street and Broadway, one of the
busiest spots in the city a great crowd
bombarded a car with stones they had
sengers fed in terror.
The police reported tonight that all
surface cars had been ordered to the
barns for the rest of the night.
Numerous arrests were made and many
Of the rioters were dubbed by the police.
Several passengers were hurt by flying
missiles. Many women tainted when
mobs of strikers boarded cars and fought
with the motormen and conductors.
After the cars had been driven from the
streets the strikers attacked elevated
trains, showering bottles and bricks from
housetops Policemen then were station
ed on roofs Of houses along the elevated
structures.