New-York tribune., 1916-07-31

civilian clothes, while claim agents OF
the road were pressed into service as
conductors.
Big Block in Harlem.
Lack of crosstown transportation
facilities caused much congestion OF
traffic in Harlem. and the elevated and
subway trains carried extra coaches
and we're crowded TO capacity. Many
thousands were forced TO walk from
the West Side ferries to the elevated
railroads Of the East Side, few persons
apparently desiring 10 take chances by
riding on the cars in operation. The
trouble at the Fort Lee ferry was re.
lieved somewhat by automobile bus
lines.
At strike headquarters in Lyceum
Hall, at Third Avenue and Eighty-sixth
Street, il was said that the strike had
only begun. Union officials declared
that within a week the men of the
Third Avenue elevated line and the
lines Of the New York Railways Com
rany. which operates the green cars,
would be out.
Efforts of the pickets and mission
aries" are being centred on the motor
men and conductors of these systems,
and a majority Of them were reported
Yesterday to be ready to strike when
the word is given. II was also said by
union officials that the men of the sub
way lines have notified the union that
they are ready to strike.
Organizing Throughout City.
ave are going right through the
city" said Matthew J. Higgins. organ
- A ,1-~o aI of ~
Street and Electric Railway Employees.
I'VE are organizing the men OF all
traction lines. We find them receptive
and eager 70 join US in the fight for our
rights"
Third Avenue went through a day Of
quiet in comparison 10 the rioting and
wild fighting of the previous day and
night. From o'clock the long lines OF
police who patrolled the thoroughfare
had little to do except keep the crowds
Of curiosity seekers and strike SYM
pathizers on the move. The pickets
which had been stationed at the various
car barns left their posts before noon.
The strike leaders declared at 8
o'clock that of the 3,400 men in the
Third Avenue system in Manhattan,
Bronx and Westchester more than
5000 hal been enrolled in the union
and are on strike. Nearly two hun
dred were enrolled at a mass meeting
in Lyceum Hall in the morning.
MANY motormen and conductors Of the
Grand Street crosstown line joined the
strikers organization al a mass meet
ing held in McMshon's Hall, at 2
Gouverneur Street This meeting was
addressed by W. d. Mahon. president
of the Association union, and by Will
lam ). Fitzgerald. d member of the
executive board and the leader Of the
strike. A crowd Of 500 sympathizers
gathered in the street during the meet
inc and blocked several street cars.
Several crews deserted their cars when
they reached the hail. walked in and
joined the union.
Men Afraid to Work.
Mr.. Maher and George J. Murphy,
/ superintendent of the Third Avenue d.
vision, which comprises the lines on
the East Side, declared that traffic was
stopped, not because the men hal
struck, but because they were afraid
TO work. Murphy said that $50 Of his
500 men reported 20 the barSs Of his
division early yesterday, and asked TO
be kept of the cars for a few days
until the excitement had subsided and
The danger lessened Both men de-
clared that not more than 40 per cent
Of the employees Of the lines had actual
iy Joined the union.
Scenes Of violence and accident were
again enacted throughout The Bronx
yesterday, most Of the accidents being
due 70 the attempts Of strike breakers,
inexperienced as motormen, TO operate