davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1917-03-12
Four-and-a-HaIf Street Line
Cars Run on Normal Schedule
After Difficulties at Start

After experiencing considerable delay
during the early hours Of the morning
the echsdGle Df cars from the " street
southwest, barn of the Washington
Electric Railway Company became
practically normal later in the morn
ing. the cars being run by strike
breakers, although there were a few
employees who stuck with the company.
The cars were being run at about Ave
minute intervals.
A large crowd of strikers and their
sympathixers ana some '.neutrals" con-
gregated at Az and L streets southwest
when the pillow Of a car was torn Off by
the clogging of the slot shortly before
o'clock. Numerous epithets. the most
popular of which was "scab." were
shouted at the men handling the car. A
similar accident occurred earlier in the
morning at Az and G. streets south
west. Employees of the company were
sent to the scenes and soon remedied
the breaks.
Several strikers and sympathixers as
sembled at the barn this morning. but
no trouble took place. the crowd sat
isfying itself by shouting various epi-
thets at the strikebreakers. Several
policemen were detailed at the barn to
see that no violence was done.
Evening star., 1917-03-12
Crowds H0ot and Hiss
Strikebreakers, But Are
Dispersed by the Police

The most boisterous and lasting
demonstration on the part of the strik-
ing carmen and their sympath1zers TO-
day took place early this afternoon at
9th and F. streets, whers the sidewalks
and streets on all sides presented a
mass of humanity. Thousands of p"o-
pie thronged the corner and lent the
power of their lungs in hootin.g and
Kissing the strikebreakers as the ears
operated by them came by
AS each car came by the crowd let
loose with shrill yells of all deSc'ip-
tions. The crowd became so large about
l o'clock that an automobile police pa
troll filled with policemen was sent to
the scene to assist the Officers already
there.
shortly before ! o'clock. as one of
the cars attempted to turn from r
street to 9th street. something went
wrong with it and caused tie-up for
some time This seemed to give the
strikers and sympathizers the oppor.
tunity they were after. They crowded
around the cars and their yelis OF de-
rjsjon could be heard many blocks
away.
When additional corps of policemen
arrived they Immediately set ibout TO
clear the streets to allow free pas
sageway for the cars. The streets
we're cleared, but the throngs on the
sidewalks grew denser. The arrival OF
1.-THE additional policemen also tended to
subside the din and clamor.
Union leaders worked to disperse the
crowd. especially asking the men wear
ing union buttons to go home and take
no part in the demonstration.
Evening star., 1917-03-12
others came at 7:0l. 7:03 and 1913
o'clock. all going toward the city. The

others came at 7:o1. 1908 and 7:1s
o'clock. all going toward the city. The
first car to turn north and go toward
Forest Glen was one which came out
at 7:39 o'clock. The first northbound
car coming from the wharves, passed
the barn at T:54 o'clock.
Union men declared that the strike
breakers had held the company up
for sl0e" before they would take out
the first car. They also declared the
strikebreakers had said they were
going to get theirs" and that they had
intimated few fares would be rung up.
A large number of jitneys was in op-
Grafton this morning along Georgia
avenue from Takoma Park and the
District line to the end Of the 14th
street car line. Every time they passed
the crowd of strikers in front of the
barn they were loudly cheered. Every
time a car would come out Of the barn
the strikers would try to rattle" the
strikebreakers by shouting at them.
There was no attempt at violence, how
ever, and what was don was in good
natured way. Two mounted policemen
and two footmen were on hand. but
there was no need for their. services.
Evening star., 1917-03-12
ACCUSED OF DRAWING PISTOL
Mo.orman and Conductor, Non
Union. Arrested at Mount Rainier.

MOUNT RAINIER. Nd, March 12-E
F. Peters, motorman. and a conductor
giving his name As s. CarnelL both
non union. were arrested by Deputy
Sheriff John C. White here this morn
Ing. charged with carrying concealed
weapons. It IL claimed that Peters
pulled a pistol on bystanders at Mount
Rainier station. Deputy Sheriff White
arrested him and took the pistol away
from him.
The men are to be given a hearing
before Magistrate John Klein tomorrow
evening at 6 o'clock. -
Evening star., 1917-03-12

and the big thing we are striving for.
Is to save the public from injury" Mr..
Plackman said. Many aged women
ride on street cars in this city. and
these. together with the women of all
ages. and the children, have right to
be protected"
Mr.. Powderly declared he will be will
ing to walk to work every day. IL nee
essary. to champion the cause of labor
TO organize. and also from his stand
point as an employer" on the street
car line affected.
Medieval" was the term Mr.. Pow
derby applied to those who will not rec
ognize the right of men to organize and
be represented by chosen representa-
tiyes
Evening star., 1917-03-12
First Car Leaves lexington
Two Hours Late; No Disorder
as Strikebreakers Appear

The first car which left the lexington
barn, 4th and T streets northeast. car
ried a regular notorman, with strike
breaker and two conductors. 1t left the
barn at 6:45 o'clock for Riverdale, Nd.
When the car reached the starting
point on its return trip only the regular
motorman was left. the strikebreakins
motorman and the two conductors hav-
ing been arrested dt Hyattsville. Nd.
The regular schedule for cars to leave
the lexington barn, 1t was stated, Is
4:39 o'clock for the Brookland line and
4:55 o'clock for the City and Suburban
line.
A few minutes after'B o'clock bus
load Of strikebreakers arrived 1t the
barn and this was followed by several
Evening star., 1917-03-12

game, Evans, Kelly and Warren were
given the task of looking after affairs
at the Lyceum Theater meeting. and
later to serve as an emergency squad.
'Other detectives were assigned as fol-
lows: F.S Hughlett,' East Capitol barn:
w. o. Embrey, Columbia barn at 18th
and II streets northeast; j. c. Berman.
18th street barn. and Fred NJ. Cornwell,
Az street barn.
1t was about 1870 O'Clock when the
detectives reached the places to which
they had been assigned. They remained
the night. but found practi-
.cally nothing to do. 1t was some time
after daybreak before they were re-
lieved, and they were told to hold them
selves in readiness for work tonight
Evening star., 1917-03-12
Strikebreakers Run Cars
Out of the BrightWood Barn
While the Union Men Jeer

The first car left the Brightwood
barn at 6:i4 o'clock. 1t was in charge
OF a strikebreaker motorman and two
strikebreaker conductors. A large
crowd of strikers. who had gathered at
the barn before daylight, jeered as 1t
swung out onto Georgia avenue and
started toward. the city. The strikers
commented on the fact that the car
failed to observe two fire stops within
a square Of the barn. .l.a. "a
At 6:52 the second car came out and
Evening star., 1917-03-12

otber bus losds and automobileA BY
xs,s sns IAN ahout 100 striksbrea akers and more
than dozen regular motormen and
conductors ready for work.
EoIIowinx the meeting At the Lycum
Theater the conductors. motormen ana
other employees who had gone out on
the strike were dispatched to their
90 lions barns. One hundred and forty
men gathered in the vicinity of the
Eckinrton barn about 4 o'clock and re-
mained there until after several OF the
n ra had left the barn.
Cable Box Rolled on Tracks.
No trouble occurred. as Maj Pullman
had detailed several policemen there.
Cries Of ''scab" or rats" were hurled
at the strikebreakers and several tor
pedos were placed on the tracks, which
caused loud reports as the cars passed
over them.
Shortly after o'clock this morning
. large cable box, loaded with cable,
which had been standing on the side
walk on Rhode Island avenue between
18th and 18th streets northeast. was
rolled upon the car tracks of the City
and Suburban line. The persons who
rolled it over also threw It on Its side.
1t was about an hour and half later
when q report was received at the
barn of the obstruction on the track.
More than dozen employees. with
jacks and iron bars, were required to
remove the distance from the track
When the first cars left the barn
number of strikers were dispatched to
points on North Capitol street and
Rhode Island avenue to notify persons
that the Capital Traction line on Flor
Ida avenue was in operation and asking
tnat they not patronfZe the lines OF
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company
It was noticed that on several Of the
cars Of the City and Suburban line that
no fares had been rung up on the cash
register. although many PASSENGER
were riding on the cars. When asked
II instructions had been given not to
ring up fares a strikebreaking con-
ductor declined to state.
Jitneys on the Job.
Persons residing out along the City
ana Suburban line who had to get to
work early arose some time earlier
than usual this morning and in most
instances walked in to Florida ave-
nue. and boarded Capital Traction cars.
"Jitneys" did q thriving business out
as far as the District line early this
morning. They picked up passen gers
| at cents each and took them in as far
as the Capital Traction line. The early
passengers were principally employees
Of the navy yard or bu: eau of en-
craving and printing.
After the early cars had gone out to
Maryland or the District lire and came
into the city they were well filled with
passengers. Many of them carried
school children and government en-
ployes. It was stated, however. that
many Of the Marylanders used the
| steam railroad lines this morning to
get into the city.
All sorts Of vehicles from bicycles
which appeared as II they had been
resurrected from cellars. wagons and
| several coal carts. loaded with pas
sengers passed the lexington barn
with their load Of human freight.
Maj. Pullman and Inspector Grant
chief of detectives. arrived at the
lexington barn about S o'clock and
after ascertainins that everything was
| quiet, left for other parts of the city
ment also visited the barn about
| o'clock
Evening star., 1917-03-12
STRIKE REVWES1DEA
|. Of CITY OWNERSHIP
Talk in Official Circles of Pos
sibIe Legislation in Case .
of Long Deadlock. Il
PRESIDENT MAY NOT ACT

There were certain Indications in Of
fcial circles today that II the strike
of the street railway employees on the
lines Of the Washington Railway and
Electric Company should keep in force
such circles to the idea, which has been
advanced from time to time, of nlunicd-
pal ownership of street railways in the
District of Columbia 49,, ~.
Reports reached the White House to-
day that senators and members Of the
House who are advocates OF munich
pal ownership are considering the ad-
visa ability of taking a, hand In the
strike situation to the extent possibly.
of giving some support to- the Crosser
bill, rvhichs tt was said may be reintro-
duced- at the extra session of Congress
which the President has called for
April 16.
Talk of Appeal to President.
Reports also reached the White House
that the street railway officials as well
as representatives OF the striking en-
ployes have it in mind to appeal to the
President for assistance through Secre-
tary Wilson of the Department, of
Labor. through Joseph p. Tumulty. sec
retary to the President. or in other
ways -- 49,.
Mr.. Tumulty, when asked today about
reports which have reached the White
/, House concerning bills in Congress
| favoring municipal ownership OF street
railways in the District of Columbia,
| confirmed them. but refused to COM
ment
In administration circles it is said
that there is little likelihood of Presi-
dent Wilson being able to give any at
| tentfon to the question OF the street
| railway strike here. for the reason that
Dr. Grayson, his physician, and his
possible to conserve the Presidents
/ strength. following his illness. 50 that
he may be able to give the necessary
attention to the international situation
Would Consult Commissioners.
Some administration officials believe,
on the ground, they say. that the in
terest of the public Of Washington. Is
paramount in the street railway strike.
that both the company officials and the
representatives OF the striking en-
p1oyes ought to place their grievances
unreservedly in the hands of the Com
missioners of the District of Columbia,
who are the representatives OF the peo-
pie Of the District, and abide by the de1
cfsion of the Commissioners.
II the strike. should grow and seri-
ously tie up the traffic OF the city, 1t is
pointed out. impetus would be given to
the municipal ownership idea here. with
a result which might be as unwelcoma
to the striking employees as il Is be
lieved that it would be to the COM
pany officials.
Evening star., 1917-03-12
Effort by Commissioners
and the Secretary of Labor
to Avert Strike Is Futile

Almost UP to the minute the street
car strike was called. the District Com
nissioners made heroic efforts to avert
It. Secretary of Labor Wilson took
action toward the same end, and the
name Of President Wilson As possi-
BILE mediator was suggested by union
leaders. All this effort was without
avail.
Yesterday the Commissioners wrote
to Clarence P. King, president of the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pauy. requesting that his company ac-
cept mediation. The Commissioners re-
called that Mr.. King previously had de-
clined such an offer.
Notwithstanding this declination,"
the letter stated, "the public interest in
the maintenance of efficient street car
service and in the prevention OF dis
order Is so great that the Commission
ers now desire to request you and the
general officers Of your company to ac-
cept mediation"
The letter stated that "the circum-
stances of the times make the possi-
tai a matter OF grave concern to the
republic itself
IAN adjustment OF the controversy
should not be impossible" the letter
the District of Columbia respectfully.
but most earnestly request you to take
no steps toward a lockout or a substi-
tuition of strikebreakers for the motor
men and conductors until the whole
mateer at issue has been made the sub
ject of mediation. The Commissioners
again offer their services of mediation.
II there 10 any objection to the Com
missioners acting, we feel sure that
some other disinterested agency could
be found"
This letter Is signed, Board OF Com
missioners, D. c., by Oliver p. Newman.
nresident."
Evening star., 1917-03-12

not noted any effort to place men in the
shop to take our places
Some of the men who worked in the
shops said they already had obtained
lear Washington. These men asked the
picket committee about the advis-
bility of seeking to get their tools
from the shops. They were told to let
them remain there for the present.
IAN the men have locked their tool
boxes.' member of the picket commit
tee stated, "and if the boxes are opened
the union will make it hot for those who
opened them
Crowd at Transfer Point.
A crowd gathered about the transfer
point to the Cabin John bridge line early
in the day. A dozen or more union men
were there Policemen said there had
been no disorder The union men yelled
derisively at the car operators as they
went by.
Come off there. you scab." You're a
rat" Go back to Philiy, where you came
dastor. Hts, and mota4nen. but they m made e1" no
effort to resort to physical violence.
Occasionally theyf dared; the ,poter-
men to, come of your car" but the
by their Jobs.
The union men seemed in the best Of
hun1or. One foreman entered the shops
on street ana was greeted Dy the DICK
cts with shouts of I'VE know you're
A Conductor Of long standing on the
Cabin John line went TO nearby lunch
room and returned carrying bottle Of
milk and some sandwiches.
Go to It, pop. we know you don't want
to lose your pension, some OF the older
union men shouted.
You're a scab. just the same" q
younger union man shouted. Come on
Off and we'll take care of your family"
Two Cars on Cabin John Line.
Only two cars were put into service on
the Cabin John line. Even these were
not crowded on many Of their early trips.
Scores of residents along this line walked
to work. Those who sought to transfer
at 36th and Prospect avenue were urged
by the pickets to walk down the steps
and tako the Capital Traction line."
Many Of them did so. At the west barns.
few blocks beyond this point on the
Cabin John line. one policeman and a few
union men furnished the only signs Of
life.
Indications that a strike was imminent
began to appear yesterday afternoon. One
car on G street bore a big sign in front,
obtained from a real estate man, For
Rent and underneath was penciled
after midnight" Strikepreakers rode
on the cars yesterday afternoon in groups
Of twos and threes. In some instances
the union conductors sought to discour-
age them. They told them they could
not stand on platforms, told them that
men in uniform could not sit down in
side and made life SO hard for them in
some cases that the strikebreakers got
of and took the next car following.
Evening star., 1917-03-12
Wants Police to Take Over Lines.

w. I. Swanton. secretary of the Tax
Reform Association of the District, to-
day wrote Maj. Pullman a letter stating
that Il hope you will'use your undoubt-
ed rights in the exercise of the police
power to take over the street railroad
at least temporarily in the interest OF
public order. and operate il until the on
posing parties can agree upon terms. II
is inconceiva BILE here in the Capital city
the headquarters of both the Depart-
- ent OF Labor and OF the board of
:ediation and consultation. that p stril e
4 lould he allowed to take place. with
sac threat of imported armed strike
breakers from other cities. with the
inevitable resulting disorder. and danger
to life and property"
Mr.. Blackman. Mr.. PoTderly and
other officials of the department agreed
unanimously today in the opinion that
the interests of the public are para
mount IN the present street railway
strike. !.
THE nrst aim Of this department,
Evening star., 1917-03-12
Many Persons on Way to Work
Refuse to Patronize Lines
Deserted by the Strikers

First cars OF the day appeared on the
Georgetown and Mount Pleasant lines,
passing Dupont Circle. shortly before 7
o'clock. From that time on schedules
Of from fifteen to twenty-five minutes
were maintained until o'clock, when
the interval was established at fifteen
minutes.
Contrary to expectation, these early
cars were not crowded. Most folk in
the northwest seem to have been apos-
ties of preparedness. IN Mount Pleas
ant they walked over to the 14th street
line or walked down town. The
Georgetown residents either walked all
the way to their places of employment
or went down to the line OF the Capt.
tai Traction Company.
The weather was favorable to the
strikers. Coming down most of the
main thoroughfares from the north and
west by s o'clock was a steady stream
Of walkers. who declared, THE walk
ing is fine"
This thing has started me to doing
this every morning" remarked ono
pedestrian.
Automobile owners paraileled the
tracks Of both the Georgetown and
Mount Pleasant lines. picking UP pas
sengers as they went. Community
taxi clubs" were hastily formed last
evening by groups Of Ave. who engaged
taxicabs for downtown points, at the
rate Of rs cents for the five, making
the cost Of riding to work Is cents
apiece
Evening star., 1917-03-12
let Mr.. Woodrow wilson, President OF
the United States, act as umpire
. Secretary Wilson's Suggestion, >

let Mr.. Woodrow Wilson. President OF
the United States, act as umpire.
Secretary Wilson's SugEeSnon.
Secretary of Labor Wilson. at 1880
o'clock this morning. called Mr.. King
on the telephone. stating. the union
would be willing to operate under the
present contract seven day longer. in
which time terms might be agreed
upon.
Mr.. King replied that the agreement
last year was forced upon the company:
that the company was not willing TO
continue the arrangement, and espe-
cially was not willing to recognize the
union. "a d. S.
BY midnight the car men began Ar
irving at the Lyceum Theater. The
strike vote was taken by reclamation
at 2:50 o'clock.
Evening star., 1917-03-12
Report on Movement of Cars.

At 7:3o o'clock policemen at Dupont
Circle said that. while they had not
kept exact count. about ten cars had
passed that point since $50. either west
or north bound. and that two cars had
gone south from the Georgetown line
and three from the Mount Pleasant line.
M. r. Kubatz, captain OF the pickets
at the P street shop. kept track Of the
cars passing that point between Z and
o'clock. His record showed three
west-bound cars, carrying twenty-five,
fifteen and fourteen passengers, re-
spectively, and two east.bound cars
carrying twenty and twenty-five pas
sengers, respectively.
There was no disorder at the street
shop. The union COMMITTEES said that
not wheel had turned in the shop.
where the cars Of, tho Washington
Railway ana Electric Company are re-
paired. 1t was stated that Of 125 men,
exclusive Of foremen, employed there,
122 had ither been discharged or had
quit work ON their own account. The
strikers said the company had dis
charged three men Saturday night in an
effort to ''intimidate .us," but that all
the men there stood by the union.
Had the strike not been caileo the
union shopmen said they would have
gone back to work this morning and
would have resisted Efforts 10 Keep
them from doing SO.
but when the strike was called It
affected us just ~ IT did the train
men." union men explatned.e we nave
Evening star., 1917-03-12
Notices in Car Windows

Another notice was placed on windows
OF every car in the barns and shop of
the company containing quotations from
laws preventing obstruction or destruc-
ton of street railway property, as fol-
lows:
Section S4s, of the Criminal Code Of
the District OF Coluubia-.Whoever ma
ncfously places an obstruction on or
near the track of any steam or street
railway, or displaces or injuries any
thing appertaining to such track. with
intent to endanVer the passage of anv
locomotive or car. shall be imprisoned
Tor not more thSn ten years"
Section I29, of the Criminal Code of
the District OF Columhia-'Nvhocye ma
lciously places an obstruction upon a
railroad or street railroad. or dispiaces;
or Injuries anything aprertaining there
TO or does any other act With intent TO
endaHger the passage of any locomotive
or car. and thereby occasions the death
OF another. is guilty of murder in the
first degree"