Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-27

udu not oeclded dennitely When the
Jitneys will be ordered off the streets
and said that he believes the situa-
ton will soon be adjusted.
Strike Leaders Statement
John J. Thorpe, vice-president of
the Amalgamated Association of Street
ana Electric Railway Employees, and
Hugh L. Mclaughlin, president of
DIVISION TOS, of that organization, is
sued the following statement this
morning, explaining the stand now
taken by the strikers, on the question
union.
I'VE desire to call the public's at
tention to the fact that it has been
the attitude of the railways company
during the past two weeks that they
will not recognize the Amalgamated
Association of Street and Electric
Railway Employees of America. There
fore the members of the said associa-
ton, regret the inconvenience of the
public and have changed their posi-
ton by eliminating the word union"
or "Amalgamated Association" from
the preamble of their contract, which
we ask to read as follows:
This agreement made and en-
tered into, this -- day of July,
1916, by and between the Harris
burg Railways Company, party
OF the first part; and the members
of Division 709, represented by
the undersigned committee, party
of the second part.
Witnesseth = The party of the
first part to agree to meet and
treat with the duly authorized and
accredited representatives and
committees of Division 709, on all
questions and grievances that may
arise, during the life of the
agreement.
I'VE feel that the entire controversy
is up to the Harrisburg Railways
Company to bring this difficulty to a
speedy settlement. We have gone
more than half way to bring peace
and harmony in the city. Mr.. Musser
talks about consideration of the pub
lie and business interests of the city
He has not shown any consideration
for anybody. except to the strike
breakers who have been paid as high
as $40 day, to operate cars in the
city; while the other men who have
been in the service for years and years
have been ignored.
Even the strike breakers, them
selves, have protested against their
working conditions such as wages and
hours, which according to the morn
ing paper Mr.. Musser has taken up
with committee of nonunion men,
for readjustment. Had Mr.. Musser
shown the same spirit to men who are
now on strike, two weeks ago, this
condition would never have prevailed
in the city to-day.
"Mr. Musser claims that he cannot
afford to pay the rate of wages de-
manded by the men; but ne can afford
to pay the strike breakers thousands
and thousands of dollars to try to de-
stroy the employees organization. We
feel as above stated, that we nave gone
our limit, and we would ask the pub
lie to judge who is responsible for the
present conditions, for themselves.
''It appears to us that the officials
of the Railways Company are attempt
ing to have the public believe that
recognition or nonrecognition of our
organization, is the bone of conten-
ton. In consideration for the public
we have removed the word union,
and the title 'Amalgamated Associa-
ton from the preamble or our state
ment. 1t is now question of whether
or not the company will agree TO meet
the committee.
I'VE are surprised to see the attitude
taken by some of the city officials in
trying to defeat these men in their
attempt to organize. They, on cleo
tion time, ask these men to vote for
them, and promise the men all sorts
of things which they will do, if they
are elected. Many of THESE officials
have failed to carry out their promises
and they will we'll be remembered on
the next election day. Not only the
street car men, but the railroad men,
and all other working men IN the city
will take an active part IN the next
campaign in the city of Harrisburg
Had some OF the city officiaIs or
Harrisburg, taken the position that
they should have taken, this strike
would have been settled long ago, but
there appears to be a weakness on
someone's part, or they are afraid to
interfere. 1t appears to us that the
Railways company has strings on GER
tain people, who are keeping silent for
this reason.
I'VE wish to inform the public at
this time, that all cars now IN opera
tion on the company liner, are being
operated by strike-breakers, ana peo-
pie riding on the cars are deemed un-
friendly to the strikers.
1T has been reported to us that
there is some talk of taking the jit-
neys from the streets. If this is done,
at this time, it is done for the purpose
of trying to defeat the organized street
railway men. We are surprised that
any city or county official would take
such action as that, at this time, as
there are thousands of people in Har-
risburg, who, we are sure, will make
a strong protest against riding on
cars operated by strike breakers.
1--WE feel that the men who refused
to go on strike with us, but remained
loyal to the company and taught the
strike breakers the little they know
about the railways lines, are worse
than the strike e-breakers, brought here
by +he company. For years past these
m en- who remained loyal to the COM
pany, as they term it, have complained
many times among the other men, be-
cause of the conditions. 1t has been
give the jitneys sufficient notification
through the daily press, when they
are to be ordered off the streets. We
are glad that he will give the men who
are helping us, this opportunity, and
hope that he will not order the lit
neys off the streets until the strike has
been settled.
1--WE ask the chief OF police, and
the city officials, to give the matter
careful consideration, berore taking
such action. This is the request OF the
public, we believe"
Mr.. Thorpe in discussing the situa-
tion further stated, Il have seen many
street car strikes throughout the
United States, and I have seen ana
heard of tactics used in this city, never
known to have been used before by
any railways company, such as arrest
ing men, for calling another man a
scab' and walking beside the car and
looking at the car register, then re-
marking, only seventeen tickets rung
up on the registerr
owe contend that fbara is ro 10 ~,