The Washington times., 1917-03-12

probability of any interruption 0t the
lighting service. Union, officials salu
the number of strikers at the power
plant probably was not large enough
to tie II UP.
Officials OF the Washington Ran
way and Electric Company SAID the
cars would be operated this evening
on the same schedule as today ana
that operations would not cease WIN
darkness.
astIekInE Together Like Glue"
There wasNvery little disorder at
the barns, where squads OF union
men were on picket duty keeping a
record of the time cars arrived and
departed and contrasting todays
service with that OF days previous to
the strike.
The pfckets reported to union head
ouarters from time to time on the
number of cars leaving the barns. the
passengers carried. alleged infractions
of traffic regulations by strike break
ers operating the cars, and the attl-
tude of the men.
ports he had received showed plainly
that "the strikers are sticking TO-
gether like glue. The locking 'ut of
motormen and conductors who refused
10 sign the Individual contracts con-
tributed materially in solidly cement
ing the ranks"
Jitneys fiourished along practically
all the lines of the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company, and car
ried capacity loads of passengers,
who hooted and ieered at the strike
breakers on the cars.
rTNn-
walked to work and about the city.
either in sympathy with the strikers
or because of the absence of service
during the early morning.
Many OF the sympathizers with the
strikers wore pieces Of paper on their
hats, inscribed with walk" or
"Strike On similar TO those worn
by the employees who walked out.
Notices warning the strikers that
depredations on the company's prop
erty would mean the invoking of The
law against all offenders brought
statement from the union officials, in
which they said strict orders against
violence had been given all the cn:-
ployes, and that thsss orders were be-
ing obeyed to the last letter.
wardwen RspudIntcL.
The strike breakers were under
similar orders from officials OF the
vickery agency. with which the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company made a contract 10 break
the strike on it's lines.
John wardwell, after his statement
to The Times of yesterday. was repu-
dated by the Vickery agency oni-
cials, who objected to his statement
that "gunmen" are included in the
strike breaking force. One Of the
agency's officials said today:
"If we catch any of our men with
a gun we will turn him over to the
police for the usual punishment. We
have a hard-working, experienced,
law-abiding force of men here. Eio'
lence will not be tolerated on their
part, but they will be accorded proper
protection by our detectives"
The aRency's detectives stationed
themselves at the important street
car crossings to watch the strikers
and sympathizers and to see that no
injury was done to the strike break
ers. The latter seemed more amused
than offended by any taunts and ,jibes
directed at them.
May Hasten Municipal OwnershiP
1t was intimated in oniciaI circles
today that a continuation of strike
conditions may give impetus to the
movement for the municipal owner
ship of the street railways. That Ad'
rninistration influence may be brought
TO bear for such legislation, should
the strike situation not clear up rap
idly. was also suggested from re-
sponsible sources.
When Congress adjourned there wal
pending in the House bill from th'
District Committee providing for thu
municipal ownership Of street rail
ways. A Government official suggest
ed today that the chances for thu
passage of such legislation will b'
materially increased by a street rail
way strike as Congress prepar' to re
convene.
There is already talk in officia
quarters, this authority said, OF th'
advisability of the Government opera
tfon of Washington's street railway
il the strikers and the employees d.
not soon get together in the interes
of the public service
OUnershIp Bill Twice Reported.
When Secretary Tumulty was aske'
about reports of a renewed movemen
for municipal ownership. he said h
had heard OF such reports, hut de
Clined to comment upon lneuL
The fate of the municipal ownershi
bill may depend largely upon develop
ments of the next three weeks. Tn
House District Committee has twic
reported the Crosser bill for taking owe
tie street railways Of Washington
-he bill was no reached. owing to tn
congested condition of the calendar
at the fag-end of the last session an
the session preceding.
Congressman Crosser, member o
the District Committee, is eNpecte
10 reinforce his measure as soon a
Congress reconvenes on April II
Should the street car stike then b
in progress the situation undoubtet
" will strengthen sentiment for tn
passage OF legislatin which will Civ
the District government control c
transportation facilities in the NJ
tionaI Capital. If Administration SUI
port can be obtained for such a mea
ure the prospects for passabe will In
mediately brighten.
Although the Capital Traction Cor
pany has reached an agreement wit
its employees and no strike exists o
that Iine. the walkOut on the Was
ington hallway and Electric Cor
pany probably would offset that fac
so far es Congress is concerned. tt
Crosser bill provinces for the mum