STRIKERS GREASED THE TRACKS, AND WARM DAY AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL

 

Cleveland streetcar strike in 1899.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, June 20, 1899.

GREASED THE TRACKS.

Effectual Way of Preventing Street Cars From Running.

PUT IN PRACTICE IN CLEVELAND.

A Mob of Two Thousand Men and Women Attack a Car, Injuring the Motorman So Badly That He Had to Be Taken to the Hospital. Others Slightly Hurt.

   CLEVELAND, June 20.—The Street Railway company and their striking employes [sic] held no conference. Mr. Bishop of the state board of arbitration, however, was in consultation with the company officials for several hours.

   The meeting arranged for Saturday failed through a misunderstanding. The board is now at work patching up this misunderstanding and trying to bring the employes and company together.

   Men and women set to work greasing the tracks at the corner of Pearl street and Clark avenue and at the corner of Scranton avenue and at Clark avenue, also at the corner of Jennings avenue and Clark avenue. The tracks were so well greased with soap, oil and other substances that the operation of cars was effectually prevented.

   The company began operation of two new lines—those on Scovill and Central avenues. The cars were protected by policemen and until afternoon no trouble occurred. Just before 4 o'clock two of the Scovill cars approached the crossing of the Pennsylvania railroad. There they were met by a mob of more than 2,000 men and women. One of the cars was taken across the railroad safely but the other was held up by a mob. A perfect shower of paving bricks and stones fell about the car and crashed against the vestibule at the front end, behind which the motorman was concealed. Women threw bricks and handed them to the men who were in the front of the crowd. The windows had been lowered and the bricks crashed against the seats and fell upon the floor of the car. The conductor escaped injury but the motorman, A. J. McGrew of St. Louis, was struck on the head with a brick and rendered unconscious. He was taken to a hospital. The patrolman on the car was also hit with a brick, but was not seriously hurt. A call was made for the police, but when a detachment of officers arrived the mob had dispersed and no arrests were made.

   The demonstration which had been planned for the night to influence the action of the city council with respect to the ordinance prohibiting the employment of motormen who have not had 10 days experience operating cars in this city, consisted of a parade in the downtown streets with torchlights, drum corps and brass bands.

   A crowd of 5,000 persons assembled but all of them did not parade. The crowd was demonstrative, but not disorderly.

   At the meeting of the council there was a scene of great disorder. The gallery and lobby of the chamber were packed by a large crowd and every speaker who was inclined to give the railroad company a fair show was hissed. This continued until Mayor Farley made a speech, in which he declared that he did not propose to submit to intimidation.

   The ordinance fixing the requirements for motormen was passed under a suspension of the rules. A resolution was also adopted requesting the corporation counsel to report whether the franchises of the company could not be forfeited if it failed to run cars on all its lines. Several other resolutions were offered and referred to committees.

   A special meeting of the council is to be held next Wednesday evening and in the meantime a committee which was appointed will seek to bring about a settlement of the strike.

   The leader of the strike said that about the only question at issue now was whether all the old men would be reinstated if the strike was declared off. The demand for the absolute recognition of the union appears to have been abandoned. President Everett says he cannot agree to take back all men for some of them will never be reinstated.

 

William McKinley.

ENJOYING HIMSELF.

President McKinley Having a Good Time In Massachusetts.

   HOLYOKE, Mass., June 20.—"I am enjoying this trip very much indeed, and had no idea the country about here was so beautiful," said President McKinley as he was seated in a rocking chair in the observatory on the summit of Mount Tom. His whole manner and the great improvement that is noticeable in his face bore out the assertion and were an earnest of what results will yet be accomplished, as far as rest and enjoyment are concerned, before the New England journey is ended.

   Notwithstanding that the day had been a long and tedious one, both the president and Mrs. McKinley stood the strain incident to the great demonstration at Northampton and the journey back to Holyoke very well indeed.

   The trip to Mount Tom in the afternoon was a welcome change from the turmoil of the morning, while the quiet, homelike, pleasant evening hours were a fitting climax to a very busy day.

   Almost the first incident of the day was the narrow escape of the president's carriage from being struck by a runaway horse, just as they emerged from the Whiting residence preparatory to taking the train for Northampton. But a miss is as good as a mile and there was 20 feet to spare in this case, so the only harm done was simply a little excitement for the moment.

   The entire morning was taken up with the visit to Northampton and Smith college. The parade was an interesting feature of the program, followed by the senior chapel day exercises of the college. Here the president and his party occupied the platform and listened to the exercises by the graduating class of 150 young women and to a resume of the work of the year as given by President L. C. Sellye of the college.

 

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Progress in Our Islands.

   During the first four months of 1899 much was accomplished in the way of proof of the claim that the application of United States administration in Porto Rico, Cuba and the Philippines would benefit greatly those islands. The time was brief, trade had hardly recovered from the check of war, the change of methods had been attended by delays, and only in Porto Rico had American sovereignty and peace had full sway. But in the period considered about $8,000,000 was collected in taxes, mainly by customs duties, every dollar of which has been used, or is held for use, in improving the condition of the people from whom it was collected and in support of the temporary government.

   The moneys collected and expended in the islands do not pass through the United States treasury, but strict account is kept of them to be rendered when the scheme of civil government is perfected. In the case of Cuba, when the Cubans take control of their own affairs—if that time ever comes—a complete accounting for receipts and expenditures will be made and the surplus in hand will be turned over to the Cuban treasury. Up to the first of May $4,443,999 had been collected in Cuba. The moneys were used to defray the expenses of administration, and in improving the system of government and the sanitary conditions of Havana, Santiago and other cities. The result in the latter line alone vindicates the wisdom of the course pursued and the efficiency of administration. The death rate in Havana is less than half what it was a year ago. It is indeed unprecedentedly low. The same is true as to Santiago and at every point where American sanitation has been applied. Customs duties are lighter for the Cubans than when Spain held the islands, and the moneys paid are not stolen or sent out of the island. They are used to improve Cuba. In a brief time the benefits of the change are so evident that Cubans do not fail to note them and extol the virtues of the new ways and their administrators.

   In Porto Rico collections amounted to $481,128 in four months. There as in Cuba home betterments were paid for out of the revenue. It paid wages to labor, with the double benefit of supplying families and yielding in work done better roads, clean streets, a system of sewerage and a condition of public health to which Porto Ricans were strangers.

   In the Philippines, the state of war existing interferes with the processes of American civilization and administration. The collections since Jan. 1 amount to nearly $2,220,000. Improvements have been applied in Manila that have added to the comforts of life and its longevity in that city; with the re-establishment of peace improved administration will extend throughout Luzon and to other of the islands. That this is not mere promise the good work accomplished already in Cuba and Porto Rico is abundant evidence. The future is bright for our island possessions, and holds reciprocal benefits in trade for the United States.

 

Richard Croker.

TAMMANY AND THE FORD BILL.

So Long as It Offered a Chance For Blackmail the Wigwam Favored it and Not One Moment Longer.

   The original Ford bill for the taxation of franchises had the unanimous support of Tammany Hall legislators. Tammany's orators and newspapers shouted loudly for the bill, on the plea that it "would relieve the poor of a heavy burden and compel rich corporations to pay their legitimate share of the expenses of the government."

   Tammany sent a committee to Albany to urge Governor Roosevelt to sign the Ford bill, The Wigwam was beginning to ask and receive credit as being "the people's friend."

   But there has been a revelation. It has been made as clear as daylight that Tammany wanted the Ford bill solely because it gave to the Tammany officials the right to access the value of franchises in this city and to handle the proceeds of the tax.

   When that power to levy blackmail was taken out of the bill at the extra session, Tammany voted, to a man, against it.

   The principle of franchise taxation remained the same. The benefits to the small taxpayer are just as great. The justice of it is as fully recognized. But Tammany did not want it. Why? Because under the amended bill a state board has the power to determine the values of franchises, and there is nothing in it for Richard Croker and the other Wigwam leaders who levy campaign funds.

   Mr. Croker swore before the Mazet committee that in politics he was working for his pocketbook "every time."

   Tammany is the warm "friend of the people and taxpayer" so long as there is cash in it for Tammany; no longer. The vote on the bill at the special session proves it.

 

VILLAGE TRUSTEES.

Regular Meeting Held Last Night—Little Business.

   The board of village trustees held a regular meeting last night, but little business was transacted. A number of sidewalks were ordered repaired, rebuilt or laid to grade as the ease requires. The claim of Mrs. Emma C. Knight for pay for a tree cut during the paving of Main-st. last year opposite her premises came up for informal discussion, but no action was taken, and from this it is inferred that the village does not intend to indemnify her. It seems that the tree was cut by Street Commissioner Stearns at the request of Assistant Engineer Hall who supposed that Frederick-ave. was an accepted street of the village in which case the tree would have to come out. But such was not the case, though the tree was cut.

   Trustees Thompson and Wood, the special committee on repairs for the enginehouse, reported that the firemen were living in the hopes that at no far distant date the village could erect a new enginehouse, and for the present would be satisfied to have the new team kept in the barn of Mrs. Lamont on Groton-ave., which is already rented for village purposes. The committee was continued.

   President Holden reported that the Cortland & Homer Electric Co. had executed on its part the street lighting contract, but Village Attorney Kellogg had desired to make one or two changes in wording before it was completed, and the matter was left open until these changes are made.

   W. C. Osster, an agent for road rollers and street sweepers endeavored to interest the board in the purchase of those machines. He offered to sell a street sweeper for $375, the village to have it on trial for thirty days before purchasing.

 

Y. M. C. A. ROAD RACE.

Many Men Coming to the Front—First Race Friday Night.

   The different men expecting to start Friday night in the roadrace are continually plugging out over the road, and they all feel, although without much hard training, that they can push a wheel just a little. In fact, there has been no racing this year except the nightly rivalry naturally expected when two young fellows happen together off on the road and in a hurry to reach their destination. For this reason the handicapper will have his hands full the first race.

   It is surprising how many men are thinking of entering, some who have never raced before, but have done some good long distances this spring; some who did good work two years ago, and others who have won prizes and have seemed invincible. New men are constantly coming in and crowding the old reliables out. This must be expected, and for that reason we may see many black horses come to the front in this first roadrace.

   The man winning time prize must have ridden the fifteen miles in at least two of the roadraces. The list of entries will be given in Thursday night's STANDARD, the officials for the race in to-morrow's paper.

 

MILK PRODUCERS

To Meet In Binghamton on Tuesday, June 27 at 11 A. M.

   An important meeting of the F. S. M. P. A. is to be held in Binghamton, Tuesday, June 27, at 11 A. M., at the courthouse and every milk producer is earnestly requested to be present. Come prepared to give as well as to receive information relative to the price of milk in '98 and '99. The executive committee which is negotiating for the sale of our milk is expected to be present and give us valuable information. We want every milk producer who can do so to be with us and let us have a grand rally for the right.

   J. D. F. WOOLSTON, Pres. of D., L. & W. Route Union, Cortland, N. Y., June 20, 1899.

 

Cortland Normal School.

It Was Pretty Warm.

   The incident is related that a few days ago the teacher of the Fourth Greek class at the Normal [School] was called from the room during a recitation. The afternoon was exceedingly warm and four or five of the young men removed their coats, sitting in their shirt sleeves and continuing the lesson as usual under the direction the pupil teacher who had temporarily been left in charge. Five minutes later the professor returned, noticed the shirtsleeves, but said nothing about it. As he resumed charge of the class he called upon one of those young men to recite and during the rest of the period no one else was called upon but the few who were trying to keep cool; but it became remarkably warm for them, for question followed question in rapid succession—technical questions, grammatical questions, questions on dialectic forms—every thing that could be thought of, each in his turn in rapid succession drawing the fire. The rest of the class caught on to the idea and enjoyed it immensely. As for the offenders, they concluded that it was far cooler in that room with their coats on than with coats off, and they will doubtless act upon that assumption in the future, and yet there was not a word said about coats or the absence of coats.

 

School Building Burned.

   The union school at Hamilton was badly damaged by fire last Friday night. Some boys had been seen in it shortly before the fire was discovered, and it is thought that a cigarette stump was responsible for the fire. It took the fire department an hour to gain control of the flames. The front part of the building was badly damaged, and it is yet uncertain whether it can be repaired or whether a new building will be required. The building was valued at $10,000 and there was an insurance of $6,000.

 

"The Model" Barber Shop.

   Messrs. John Krebs and Wm. Reilly, who for some time have been employed at the barber shop of A. W. Jones, have purchased the barber shop in the Democrat building formerly owned by Abe Newman and more recently by Myron Babcock, where they will continue to administer those artistic hair cuts and smooth shaves for which they have acquired a wide reputation. The shop will be known as "The Model."

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Wide Awake Literary club will meet this evening with Mrs. Medes, 41 Fitz-ave.

   —W. H. Barnard, Princeton, '98, has been selected to coach the Cornell university football team next fall.

   —A Regular communication of Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, F. & A. M., will be held this evening at the lodge rooms at 7:30. The third degree will be conferred.

   —The case of The People against F. W. Dunbar, charged with violating the [bicycle] sidepath law, is on trial before Justice Harrington and a jury to-day. E. W. Hyatt and R. L. Davis for plaintiff. James Dougherty for defendant.

   —The STANDARD is indebted to Prof. S. J. Ellsworth, principal of the high school at Far Rockaway, N. Y., for an invitation to the annual commencement exercises which occur on Wednesday afternoon, June 21, at 2:30 o'clock.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—D. McCarthy & Sons, Imported wash fabrics, page 7; Burgess, Men's straw hats, page 8; M. A. Case, Duck and crash skirts, page 6; C. F. Brown, Soda water, page 7; Gladding & Brown, Laundering, page 7.