South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-09-11
Service on Subway and Ele-
waited Drop Below Normal.
Few Cars Run On
Surface Lines.
QUESTION OF GENERAL
STRIKE TO COME UP
Mayor Mitchell Has Hopes of
Forcing Factions to Arbi-
trate-Motor Trucks
Are in Use.
international News serviee |:

international News Service:
NEW YORK, Sept. 11.-While
threats Of a great sym pathetic walk
out in all trade unions. involving
$50. 600 workers, hung over the city
today, the strike of traction en-
ployes made itself felt in all quar-
tiers. For the first time the service
on the subway and elevated lines of
the InterboroIgh Rapid Transit CO.
dropped below normal, while service
on the surface lines was practically
at a standstill during the early
hours.
The traction officials explained the
poorer service on the subway and
elevated was due to the unprece-
dented demand caused by cessation
of surface transportation. but the
union leaders claimed that many of
the Interborough employees, hereto
fore loyal 10 the company. had join
ed the union ranks.
viii Take Vote.
While the traction struggle enter
ed its NTH day, representatives Of
all the leading trade unions were
preparing for a strike vote. Hugh
Frayne. state representative of the
American Federation of Labor. de-
clared that a general strike would
be on before the end Of the week.
Pres't Samuel Gompers. of the fed
ration. conferred with prominent
labor leaders They asserted that
the plan of a general sympathetic
strike had Gompers' approval, but
he declined to make any statement
until he had gone carefully into the
situation.
Indications were that unless some
means of reaching a settlement in
the traction strike were reached. il
would develop into one of the great
est labor conflicts that has ever taken
place The threats of the traction
chiefs 10 destroy the carmens' union
has all labor in this city aroused.
Want Arbitration.
To prevent this great conflict il is
understood Mayor Mitchell and
Chairman oscar Strlus of the public
service commission. are working ON
a plan 10 force both the traction
employers and employees 60 submit
their differences to arbitration.
These officials are said to be of the
opinion that both the men and the
companies have violated the obli-
cations imposed on them by the
! agreement reached in the former
strike.
Organizer William b. Fitzgerald,
leader Of the traction strikers. de-
clared today that fully 1850 men
were on strike. listing them as fo,-
lows:
Interborough. 4,O0G; New York
Railways Co. 1900; Third av.. p
500; Second av.. 500; West Chester,
600.
Traction officials declared this
claim 10 be greatly exaggerated, but
declined 20 give any figures on the
number OF ke-breakers being
used. Investigation showed that no
surface cars were being run in West
Chester county and but few in the
Bronx and Manhattan
Motor trucks. jitneys and other
vehicles of all descriptions were be-
ing utilized to transport men and
women 10 subway and elevated s:a-
tions and 20 the railways entering
the city.
A NUM- Der OF firms had provided
motor trucks 10 gather their en-
ployes and bring them 20 the down
town offices The New York Tele-
phone Co. used 100 machines for
this purpose.
Considerable rioting took place
during the darkness Of early morn
ing. but this practically ceased al
sunrise. Most of the traction barns
We're surrounded by crowds that
jeered the men taking out ears, but
the police had the situation well in
! hand
Traffic congestion was serious in
many parts OF the city. owing 20 the
fact that most OF the crossing po-
icemen were detailed TO strike duty
Blockades were frequent on all Of
the bridges connecting Manhattan
and Brooklyn.
The first men 10 60 out IN sym
pathy with the carmen were drivers
employed by two firms that have
been furnishing sand for the New
York Railways Co. power plant
Strike breakers were engaged 10 take
the mems DlaceS