Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-07-29
WALK-OUT COMES AS
SETTLEMENT WAS
NEAR
SPURN WAGE OFFER
ENTIRE SURFACE AND ELEVATED
SYSTEM OUT OF COMMISSION
CAME AT a O'CLOCK THIS
MORNING.

Chicago, July 29,-Thore will be 10
attempt made to operate street cars
on the surface and elevated lines in
Chicago until the striking union men
decide to 20 to work.
This announcement was issued 10
day by officials Of the railways, ana
with the union men determined not 10
WELD in their decision not to accep;
anythinr short of their original de
mands, a prolonged strike Is a posi-
bilitv. Union officials asserted no
union meetings would be held TO-DAY
and that no further conferences are
in immediate prospect.
The hope Of both sides now Is IT
President W. d Mahon OF the Inter
national Union Of Street Car f'H-
ployes. He has been asked by local
leaders to come here and take charGe
of the strike and is expected to arrive
not later than tomorrow. Until then
II is improbable any negotiations to-
ward a settlement will he undertaken.
Vote to Strike.
CHICAGO, July 29.-Fifteen thousand
Chicago street and elevated railway
employes are on strike today and the
city's electrical transportation IS tlei
M. Since o'clock not wheel mas
turned and all elevated and surface
cars are locked up in their barns
The strike came like lightning
holt to Chicago REPORTS late yeS'e'-
dav indicated that negotiations tha'
have been in progress several weeks
would be successful and the strike
averted. Thousands of NAlca9oan
awoke this morning expecting cars IN
bc running as usual and found them
selves unable to reach their places OF
work or business
So confident were many that th'
strike had been avcrtcd that Governor
Frank o T.owdcn, after a day of cor
ferencos with employers and en-
ploves. left the city thinking basis
NJ adjustment had been reached
But the break came when an al
,cmnt VAS made 20 bring the comprr
mise proposition 20 which union lpac
ers and heads Of the street railNa'
compancs had agreed hefOr" th'
union mon. In a veritahlc hCdlam o
hisses and jeers the carmen vote
down fine offers made them and by &c
clamation voted TO go on Strik" at
o'clock. The meeting turned into bed
lam and before more than the mrs
fow sections of the compromise agree
mcnt had been read to them the
howlcd down the speaker, showed 'hei
own spokcsmon forward and voted {
strike.
Eight thousand men attended tn
meeting.
street ear mon and leaders Of tn
union contend that the increased fare
will provide ample revenue TO perm
the companies to grant the origin'
demands Of the mon FOR an 81 cent
an hour minimum wage
The unions. in Il statement signo
hv their leaders, place the blame i'
hours they are required to work, I
ccthcr with 'hc increasing high Co
w living Onicials Of the street e
companes declare that a radical cl
mcnt In the unions swept the mo-
conservative workers off their feet N
caused them to vote down the cor
promiso proposition,
Thus far no steps toward ad1uSm'
of the strike have been taken. Go
crnor Iowdcn Is due to return to C'
cago today and II Is probable IN
efforts viii Ne made before today
over to bring about other confercnc
looking toward settlement OF t
strike.
Vote to Decide Terms.
All street car and elevated 9
Moves except those at work on th'
night runs net In a secret lnee'
M the Ashland boulevard auditori'
early last night 10 vote on the
rootauCn or reject ion or the gov