Evening star., 1933-12-24
VIOLENCE FLARES
INDR|VERS' STRIKE
Philadelphia Milkman Beaten,
Four Wagons Upset,
Truck Wrecked.
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
PHILADELPHIA, December 23.-The
complicated picture of Philadelphia S
sympathy strike Of truck drivers and
helpers was spotted today with reports
of violence in several sections Of the
city
A milkman was badly beaten, four
wagons we're upset and truck was
wrecked and burned as the strikers,
variously estimated by union leaders at
from 10000 to $4,000. continued picket
ing in an effort to have the walkout
movement encompass drivers In every
department of the industry.
Meanwhile two of the nine unions
affected by the sympathy walkout, called
to aid striking taxicab drivers, withdrew
from the movement.
The bakery wagon drivers, number
ing more than 1000 men, voted to
withdraw, and the railway express driv-
ers decided not to join the movement.
Dairy companies reported their de-
liveries were curtailed. One large firm
had police riding with its wagons to
protect drivers. Pickets stopped the
wagons in efforts to persuade drivers to
join the strike.
Senator Robert F. Wagner. head Of
the National Labor Board, meantime
told city authorities in telephone call
from Atlantic City. where he is resting
a few DAYS, that representatives Of the
board probably would attend the State
Public Service Commission hearing
Tuesday on the commissions order for
the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co. 70
show cause why the operating certin-
Gates of its three taxicab companies
should not be revoked.
Strike Called Thursday.
The strike was called Thursday night
as a movement in sympathy with strik-
ing cab drivers and as an aftermath tc
the reply of the transit company tc
the National Labor Boards ruling ask
it to rehire all the strikers pending ar
bitration of differences.
The company replied it would take
on the strikers as fast as circumstances
permit, but would not discharge new
The milk wagon driver beaten wa
Marvin Cramer, who told police 20 mer
in five automobiles stopped his Wagon
and attacked him. A truck, stoler
during the disorder, was driven agalnsl
fire and was wrecked. The driver, Rus
sell Harden, said he was dragged IRON
the vehicle by is men,
Deliveries of Christmas packages
which were threatened with serious tie
up, continued normally today, none o.
the department store drivers joining the
walkout.
Few Cabs Run.
The Central Strike Committee ordered
independent, non-union taxi drivers to
return to their vehicles on a plea by
hospitals and doctors. The cabs were
outftted with stickers bearing the mes
sage: This cab is being operated by
permission of the Central Strike Com
mittee for emergency cases only"
Drivers of other milk wagons and
trucks reported they were stoned and
four men were arrested after a driver
told police they stole four sacks Of sugar
from his truck.
At a meeting of the Milk Wagon
Drivers Union, at which the members
voted to remain on strike, Thomas P.
O'Brien, organizer in Pennsylvania for
the International Brotherhood. made d
vain plea for them to withdraw.
"You fellows are working under con-
tract" he said land the best thing for
you to do is to string along with the
Government and let Uncle Sam go TO
bat for you"
A plea for the entire strike to be
called off was made by DR.. William M
Leiserson. secretary of the National
Labor Board, before departing for
Washington. He questioned the legal
ity of the movement. and said
The leaders of the unions, them
selves. should request their men not to
go out"