Omaha daily bee., 1918-12-05


avenue at 10 cents per passenger.
No Effort to Move Cars.
The street car strike situation has
resulted in a complete tie-up of the
traction system, one employee in a
hospital, and picketing by the men
and viligance by the police at all Of
the car barns.
President Wattles of the company
announced yesterday morning that
no further efforts would be made
Wednesday to operate cars; that
several employees had been assaulted,
and that traffic would be at stand
still until the company had decided
on definite plans. Mr.. Wattles
characterized as joke statement
attributed to President Short of the
union, that 700 strike breakers were
on their way to Omaha to operate
street cars.
1t is estimated that 700 men are
out. The company had a few men
in each barn during the night, ready
to take cars out in the morning, but
conditions were not propitious for
those who wanted to stand by the
company, these men explained.
Calls on Police.
Vice President Leussler called
upon the police department early
Wednesday morning for protection
in the operation of cars. Superinten-
dent Ringer and Mayor Smith re-
piled that they would protect life
and property" Assistant Chief
Dempsey of the police department
was placed in charge of the situa-
ton. He maintained an emergency
detail at police headquarters and as
signed a squad for duty at each Of
the car barns.
The first case of violence reported
was that of Tom Ratliff, conductor
on the Council Bluffs line, who has
been in the service many years. He
reported that while on his way to
work he was stopped and asked
whether he intended to continue i'll
the service in view of the strike. He
replied that he intended to go to his
work as usual, whereupon he was
assaulted to degree which re-
quired attendance in a hospital.
President Short of the Garments
union on Tuesday, morning advised
the strikers to abstain from all
forms of violence, explaining that
the men could not expect the sup
port of public opinion if acts of vio-
lence were committed.
Men Do Not Appear.
The general understanding on
Tuesday afternoon was that TIE
strike situation would be held in
obeyance until Wednesday morn
ing, when conference would be
held in the offices of the street rail-
way company at 10 o'clock. Presi-
dent Wattles and other officials of
the company waited until l0:45 for
the committee of the union to .ap-
pear. When the committee did not
respond Mr.. Wattles stated:
The strike amounts in substance
to nothing but a matter of recogni-
ton of the union and of a closed
shop. I do not think there is any
other issue which cannot be settled
satisfactorily"
Mayor Is Hopeful.
Mayor Smith does not believe
that the differences between the
street railway company and the men
are so wide that they can not be
crossed by arbitration.
To Superintendent Ringer of the
police department the mayor said:
1T is the policy of the city to pro-
tect life and property in this situa-
tion."
Protection Promised.
Mayor Smith declared all the re-
sources of the city will be called
upon to protect persons operating
or riding upon cars.
1--WE will protect any man who
runs a street. car and any person
who rides upon Them" he declared.
The strike, if it stopped all trans
portation in the city would result in
a condition of chaos, and we shall
not allow that to occur. The pub
lie has its rights and it is our sworn
duty to protect them"
Strike Ordered By Union.
The strike was ordered by the
union to take place at 3 a. m. The &C
ton OF the men was not unexpected
by the company, although some
hopes had been placed on the out
come of the expected conference
Wednesday morning. The execu-
tive committee of the union claims
to have the support of go per cent of
the carmen. Strikers eat the Ames
avenue barn cheered when they re-
ceived the order to quit.
After President Wattles and off,
Gals OF his compai." had been in
conference in the street car COM
pany's offices Wednesday morning
Mr.. Wattles was asked what efforts
the company would make to resume
operations, as required by the pro.
visions of the franchise. His reply
was:
I'VE took some cars out this
morning and our men were as
assaulted. No more cars will be
sent out today, but as to the future,
that is another matter"
Earthquake in Northern Chile
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