Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-02-12
Streetcur Service
Halted as Area
Faces BIuckout
FARLEY SLATED TODAY on Phil.
adelphia transit strike. Page Az
BY the Associated Press


PITTSBURGH, Feb. IA
strike of power company EN-.
ployes started in this industrial
center today, but electrical cur
rent was still flowing severa,
hours later to thousands oil
homes and buildings in the
strike area in which 1900, 00C
persons reside.
Street railway service was halted
shortly before the strike began, but
a spokesman for the Duquesne Light
Co., whose employees are on strike,
said it was still supplying current
on an emergency basis.
He expressed belief that, despite
the strike, the company could con-
tinue to provide Service to institu-
tons and homes-but only if house.
holders limited their consumption
to vital needs.
CThe White House said today
President Truman does not now
plan to seize the Duquesne Light
Co. power plants. Press Secre-
sary Charles G. Ross told report
ers the strike had been given
consideration by Mr.. Truman as
a result of an appeal from Mayor
David L. Lawrence of Pittsburgh.
However, Mr.. Ross told news
conference: mo seizure is now
contemplated.'0
Mills Already Closed.
Steel mills and fabricating plants
In the great industrial area around
Pittsburgh, which ordinarily con-
sumo great quantities of electricity
were already closed by the general
steel strike. The spokesman said
all other industrial users were CO.
operating 100 per cent in conserva-
ton of the available supply SC
householders and hospitals might
have the entire supply of current
available.
City officials had feared the pow
er shutdown would quickly affect
power supplies to most of the in
habitants in the district.
Meanwhile the city remained in a
state of confusion and Mayor Law
renee declared state of emergency
Many residents curtailed their use
of electricity. -.......
Public schools were closed under
plans announced In advance that
they would not open if the strike
were called. Most of the district
colleges were closed, including the
University of Pittsburgh.
There still was the threat that
the strike could spread to home
users, of whom there are $4,000 in
the district.
3,400 Employees Walk Out.
A walkout of 3,400 employees of the
light company began at 4 o'clock
this morning to enforce demands
for wage increase.
The strike quickly reflected in
business life in Pittsburgh. Down
town department stores closed their.
doors until further notice" Activ-
tiles in large Office buildings were
reduced to a minimum.
Building superintendent ordered
elevator service discontinued in the
skyscraper Koppers and Gulf Build
lngs-Pittsburgh's two tallest office
structures. They feared a sudden
suspension of power might trap
passengers in the high-speed lifts
Many business firms suspended
operations and sent employees home
The main offices of the United
States Steel Corp. in the 31-story
Koppers Building closed and the
building management shut off cleo
tricity in the building.
A sign in the lobby of the Clark
Building warned visitors that "Any
one entering does so at own risk. ;
Police, Firemen Modified.
The city modified It's entire police
and fire fighting forces to cope with
any emergency. Approximately
1000 policemen, including 1000 reg
ular officers and more than 900
auxiliary police, were ordered on
duty an hour before the walkout
started. Firemen were ordered to
report for continuous duty today.
The union-the Independent As
ISOLATION of Employees of the Du-
quesne Light Co. and affiliated COM
panies-demands a 20 per cent
wage increase. Management has
offered 71z per cent. Employees voted
in favor of a strike, and 30-day
cooling off period expired last mid
night.
Pittsburgh, in the grip of steel
strike which has made 227, 900 work
ers in the district idle, braced for
the new shutdown.
A drought was faced by some
communities in the affected area
stretching SO miles west from Pitts
burgh along the Ohio River. Al
McKeesport, city of about 10000
lSee PITTSBURGH, Page A-3J
Skymuster Sets Mark