New-York tribune., 1919-08-07
Shut-D Down Decided Upon
After Failure of Police
to Prevent Outbreaks;
Trains to Start 5 A. M.
Garrison Continues
Defiance of Union
$4,000 Marooned at
Coney Have to Walk
Or Use Taxis or Boats

Brooklyn last night was complete
II strikebound.
Not a surface car, elevated or
subway train of the B. R. T. system
moved after 9 o'clock in the evening.
The paralyzing effect of the strike
Of the systems trainmen, which be-
Gan at 5 o'clock in the morning as
mere flash in the pan, was so COM
plete as to astound the organizers
Of the movement themselves.
The start Of the strike found
fewer than 1000 Of the B. r. T.'s
employes-members of the Amalga-
: mated Association of Street and
Electric Railway Emploes--ready to
leave their jobs, but the situation
grew steadily more serious through
cut fhe DAY. Lindley M. Garrison,
receiver for the lines, made siren
uous demands for more police pro-
lection. He said he could break up
tie disorder within two hours if
given sufficient police to protect his
men.
We have the men, cars and the
plrit to operate if we just had pro-
tection,' he said.
But it was not until he had sent
en- ultimatum to Mayor Hylan
threatening to shutdown the lines
that the police were promised. Mr..
Garrison said. that 1000 men-one
for EACH car-would be required.
Mayor Hylan finally agreed to fur
rish them after a conference lasting
until $50 o'clock in the evening.
Police Protection Inadequate
Then, because of inability of
Commissioner Enright to produce
the required number of policemen,
the cars stated out without the
number Of policemen promised.
Car after car was attacked. Troll
ley poles we're torn from the tops
of cars and car crews driven from
their places.
The climax came in a general at
tack upon two cars at Church and
Flatbush avenues. The two police
men in each car were unable to
quell the disturbers. A riot call
was sent in, and two patrols loaded
with uniformed men arrived only
after the cars had been crippled
and returned to the barns.
A conference at B. R. T. head
quarters followed. William Seibert,
superintendent of transportation !;
chief Inspector John Daily, Bor-
ough Inspector Thomas S. Murphy
and six police inspectors, all agreed
on one point
1t will be impossible to operate
tonight because of lack of protec-
uon,' was the word that came from
the conference.
To Renew Service To-day
80 the cars that were operating
We're called in and for the first time
IN generation, Brooklyn was without
iapld transit for night. At 5
O'Clock this morning service will be re-
sumed with as nearly the normal sched-
ue OF trains as possible.
At Coney Island $4,000 persons, it is
estimated, were marooned by the strike
ana were forced to make their way home
IN taxis, jitneys and wagons. Tonight
al o'clock, however, cars will cease
operate unless there is a change in
'he situation. Because of the lack Of
pohce to operate on two shifts it will
oe necessary to suspend service once
more until tomorrow at S o'clock.
beiated theatregoers who lived in
remote portions Of Brooklyn made
'nelr way home as best they could last
"eht' Cabs, wagons and every variety
VI Vehicle was drawn into service. Men
ana women attired in evening dress
we're seen making their way across
brooklyn Bridge in the rain on foot.
throughout the day there was a
snree-cornered fight between the strik.
u& employea, the officials OF trans
eticn lines and city ohicials, who
sysd putting policemen on the ears