The Washington herald., 1917-03-14
Clash With Strikebreakers.

Clash With Strikebreakers.
This was done to avoid trouble
which was brewing at many points
along the lines. There were a num-
Der of clashes between sympsthizers
and strikebreakers. Switches and
slots had been tampered with and
traffic otherwise impeded. Cars were
blocked at various points and such
confusion prevailed that It became
Impossible to give satisfactory ser
vice
The local division of the Amalga-
mated Association of Street and Elec-
trio Railway Employees of America
issued statement late last night ex-
pressing itself as we'll satisfied with
conditions and answered the adver-
tisements of the company which are
being printed in local newspapers.
Answers Adverti,ement.
The carmen declared that this adver-
ttsement is well answered by the fact
that the Capital Traction Company has
agreed to the employees requests and en-
tered into a contract with them The
employees retute the charges Of the com
pany that the demands are unjust by
stating that they have offered to leave
the controversy to the District Commits
sioners. as arbitrator. who shall say
what conditions should be.
The attitude OF the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company remained un-
changed last night. Oficials Of the COM
with the progress they have been making
under adverse conditions
They declared that regular schedules
were maintained on all lines from y
o'clock in the morning until late In the
afternoon and that 81 per cent OF their
cars were running. II was stated that
traffic conditions were vastly improved
over the first day OF the strike
omcisIs Interested.
President Clarence p. King and other
of1fcials of the company were apparently
interested last night IN the plans of the
Department OF Labor. II was unoriciaI-
ly announced that IL the department hopes
to make an adjustment which will re-
| quire recognition OF the union by the
company it will be disappointed
There does not seem to be the slightest
hope that the company will deviate from
its present position OF refusing recogni-
ton.
Mr.. King again reiterated his state
ment that he will not deal with any COM
mittee Of the union and added that the
men must deal with him Individually.
The arbitrators have been given to un-
derstand. II was declared last night. that
Mr. King will receive no committee now,
whether comprised OF union members or
other employees, and also that he does not
care TO have the arhitraters interest
themselves in the dispute IL the com
pany cannot deal with the employees in
dividually.
Riot Calls sound.
The police received several not calls
last night. One came from Eleventh and
l streets southeast. The only thing the
| Officers found there upon arrival was a
crowd OF about a thousand people and
two deserted Anacostia cars The strike
breaking conductors and motormen could
| not be found. There were no signs OF
violence
Squads of police were rushed to Fifth
and streets at O'Clock, where a
throng had impeded traffic by throwing a
| stone through a car window and pulling
the crew from one OF the cars. There
were no arrests
The evening started lively and there
would no doubt have been disastrous
results IL the company had not sus-
pended trafflc when II did.
Strikers and sympathizers dropped
hundreds Of small chains into the
slots. which were also clogged at many
places with bars OF iron. stones. and
other distractions, which greatly de-
layed traffic and in many instances nut
the cars out of commission. The blow
ing out of fuses was a constant occur
| renee. strikers reaching under the
cars when they stopped and throwing
out the fuse.
Caution Against Violence,
oficers OF the union were on the Job
all dsE. They addressed open meet
fngs at every point. cautioning the
men against violence. Similar advice
was given the strikebreakers by their
leaders.
The apparent mystery which has
shrouded the agency which has
brought in the strikebreakers was
cleared last night. when Il was learned
that the Washington Detective Bureau.
Incorporated. with general ofices In
New York City. 10 In charge Of the
men.
This bureau is international IN It's scop~
and lie headed by John 7. vIckery, an
CONTINUED on FaGE FOUR.