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| Boston Mayor Patrick Collins. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, March 13, 1902.
BOSTON ALL TIED UP.
Strike of Freight Handlers Assumes Enormous Proportions.
SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION.
Conference of Business Interests With Leaders of Strike—Governor Crane and Mayor Collins in Conference. Freight Business at a Standstill—No Coal Being Delivered.
Boston, Mass., March 13.—With 200,000 men idle, their ranks likely to be greatly swelled by sympathetic votes of the building trades council and the Boston Central Labor union, which meet tonight, and the entire city beginning to suffer from the effects of the congested traffic, the only ray of light visible is the hope that the conference of business interests which has been arranged for today may lead to a settlement of the strike.
This conference, which is due in a large measure to the influence of Governor Crane, was arranged late in the afternoon at a meeting of representatives of the Boston chamber of commerce, the Boston associated board of trade and Boston Merchants' association with the state board of arbitration.
Everybody present realized the seriousness of the situation and after an interchange of opinions, it was decided that the best way of getting at public opinion would be to call a conference of the business men of the city to which among others the presidents of the Produce exchange, the Coal exchange and of all the railways will be invited. It is hoped that Secretary Easley and other representatives of the Civic Federation may also be present.
During the day Governor Crane had a long talk with the committee of the Allied Transportation council having the strike in charge, but at its conclusion he announced that he saw no way at present of solving the problem.
Later he sent for Mayor Collins and the two executives were in conference for some time. A little later Mayor Collins made a statement that he had no power to act. He said further: "Until the railroad officials consent to having the differences considered by an arbitration board there is nothing more we can do. They are obdurate, therefore our hands are tied. The governor and myself have done all in our power to render assistance. The answer from Senator Hanna does not leave a further opening for working for an immediate settlement.
"The saloons cannot be closed until rioting starts. A prominent strike leader said today when some one suggested closing the saloons, that 'the best way to close the saloons was to keep the men out of them.' Now I fully agree with that opinion. There does not appear to be any necessity for closing the saloons. There is no rioting and only when there is can the power to close them be exercised."
Freight Business at a Standstill.
Freight business at the various railroads, wharves and docks has been almost at a standstill and the moving of accumulated merchandise is becoming a most serious matter to merchants.
The strike of coal teamsters was one of the most aggravating features of the day and its effect was quickly felt at hotels, restaurants and places having accommodation for only a limited supply of coal, and coal dealers were kept busy answering appeals from anxious customers for coal which could not be delivered.
Many of the teams of the Adams, National and local express companies, whose drivers are not affiliated with the teamsters union, were at work, but it is stated that all will go out with the exception of the United States Express company's men, who belong to no union.
There is also a movement to call out the hack and cabmen who since the strike of the Armstrong Transfer company's drivers have been transferring more or less baggage for passengers across the city,
The brewery employees will, it is said, be locked out by Friday if the strike continues as the supply of coal on hand at the various breweries will give out by that time and work will have to be suspended.
The meetings of the Central Labor union and of the building trades council tonight are awaited with great interest. It is well known that the Central Labor union is not pleased with the manner in which the present strike has been conducted and especially with the fact that they were not consulted before the strike was ordered. There is a very strong feeling against ordering a sympathetic strike on this account, but it is the general belief that although such action will be bitterly fought, the meeting will endorse the strike to the extent of orderings out the 90 bodies affiliated in its membership.
The railroad company against which the strike is chiefly directed, the New York, New Haven and Hartford, show no inclination to ask for interference by the National Civic Federation and reiterates what it has said from the first that its duties as a common carrier are defined by law and that it is compelled to handle all freight delivered to it whether by union or nonunion teams, and that it has no option in the matter. This position if adhered to by the company may result in the refusal of the federation to interfere in the quarrel, as it desires a request from both sides before taking up the matter.
STRIKE MAY SPREAD.
FAŁL RIVER MILL HANDS ASK CONCESSIONS.
Twenty-five Thousand Employees in That City May Be Involved—Think the Time is Favorable for Action.
FALL RIVER, Mass., March 13.—With the big strike in Boston threatening the industrial and business situation in New England, the mill operatives of this city say that they will add their numbers to the striking forces unless the mill owners make them big concessions. A second strike in New England and one of the proportions it is possible for the operatives to inaugurate, would be felt throughout the country and would threaten the business activity of the East. Already there are nearly 20,000 men on strike in Boston, of course for a cause totally different than the mill workers have. A strike here would make unproductive $30,000,000 in invested capital and cut off $275,000 weekly in wages. The operatives say they will strike Monday morning unless the mill owners grant a 10 per cent increase in wages.
Some time ago the mill owners granted, voluntarily, a 6 per cent increase. M. C. D. Borden, the only Fall River manufacturer who is not a member of the association of local operators, and who has steadily fought the other mills, met this increase by giving the employees in his mills a ten per cent raise. Immediately allied unions held sessions and demanded that Mr. Bordon's move be met by other mill owners. The owners declined, and last night nearly 3,000 union men met and voted to strike Monday unless concessions are made before that time.
The industrial situation is further complicated by threats of a strike in the Olneyville mills.
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| Alberto Santos-Dumont. |
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
The Coming of Santos Dumont.
The coming of Santos-Dumont with his airship to this country will of course be an event of interest or at least of curiosity though we are at a loss to know just what sort of attention he should receive at our hands. After exhibiting himself and his machine at Paris, Naples and Monte Carlo his announcement that he will continue his "experiments" in London for awhile and then come over to New York and subsequently visit other American cities smacks more of the showman who is after gate receipts than of the scientist or even the serious mechanic who is seeking to perfect an appliance which shall add to the convenience and pleasure of mankind.
If M. Santos-Dumout were really studying the problem of aerial navigation, it is absolutely certain that he would not wander from country to country, breaking up his "plant" each time and giving exhibitions of a machine which is yet far from perfection, if indeed it can ever be perfected. By serious students of aerial navigation his machine is regarded as mathematically wrong in principle, and except in a dead calm or close to it, an appreciably more dangerous vehicle than the simple hot air bag of the circus aeronaut.
As the young Brazilian is said to be rich, the chances are that he is not trying to make money out of his complicated toy, but evidently enough he delights in public applause and as soon as he has exhausted the interest of the unthinking in one place, he seeks a new field for the display of his daring—and folly.
M. Santos-Dumont, with his airship, will, of course, be welcome to this country, but he can hardly expect that thoughtful people will take him any more seriously than they do the ordinary traveling showman.
$10,000 DAMAGES.
Orson A. House, John H. House and John C. House, the Defendants. Jennie Bennett, Widow of George Bennett, Seeks Damages for the Death of Her Husband which is claimed to have Resulted from His being Shot, by the Defendants or by one of them—Deposition of the Plaintiff—Papers Served on the Defendants in Jail.
Sheriff A. R. Overton this afternoon served papers upon Orson A. House, John H. House and John C. House in a supreme court action to recover the sum of $10,000 alleged damages for the death of George Bennett which occurred on March 8. The action is brought by the widow of the deceased, Jennie Bennett, who has been appointed the administratrix of the estate of her late husband. The three defendants in the action are now confined in the county jail charged with murder in the first degree in causing the death of Bennett by shooting him upon the night of March 3. The plaintiff has retained H. L. Bronson of this city as her attorney.
This civil action, following closely upon the criminal charges preferred against the three men, is of more than ordinary interest, and the outcome will be watched with much concern. The plaintiff for a complaint against the defendants alleges on information and belief as follows:
Jennie Bennett, as administratrix of the goods, chattels and credits of George Bennett, deceased, against Orson A. House, John H. House and John C. House.
The plaintiff for a complaint against the defendants herein, alleges on information and belief as follows:
First. That at all the times hereinafter mentioned, defendants were and still are, residents of the town of Lapeer, in the county of Cortland, [New York].
Second. That on or about March 3, 1902, at the said town of Lapeer the defendants above named, violently, wrongfully, knowingly, unlawfully and willfully assaulted plaintiffs intestate, and aimed at him a gun loaded with powder and ball, and did shoot him through one of his legs, whereby he was mortally wounded, and by reason of which injuries, he afterward and on March 8, 1902, died.
Third. The plaintiff for further complaint and cause of action alleges on information and belief, that on or about March 3, 1902, at the town of Lapeer, in said county and state, the defendant Orson A. House, willfully, maliciously, knowingly, violently and unlawfully assaulted plaintiff's intestate, and aimed at him a gun loaded with powder and ball, and did in fact shoot him through one of his legs, thereby inflicting upon him injuries from which he afterward, and on March 8, 1902, following, died. That at the time of the assault by the defendant Orson A. House, aforesaid, the defendants John H. House and John C. House, were present in a dwelling house occupied by the defendants, and were actively engaged in aiding, abetting, advising, assisting and inciting the said Orson A. House to shoot plaintiffs intestate, as he did.
Fourth. That the plaintiff for a further and separate cause of action against the defendants herein, alleges on information and belief, that on or about March 3, 1902, at the town of Lapeer, in said county and state, the defendants wantonly and unlawfully pointed at plaintiff's intestate a gun loaded with powder and ball, and did recklessly, carelessly and wantonly shoot him through one of his legs, by reason of which injuries he afterwards, and on March 8 following, died.
Fifth. Plaintiff further complaining, and for a separate cause of action, alleges that on or about the third day of March, 1902, at the town of Lapeer, in said county and state, the defendant Orson A. House, carelessly, negligently, wantonly and unlawfully aimed at plaintiff's intestate, a gun loaded with powder and ball or shot, and discharged the same, shooting said intestate through one of his legs, and inflicting upon him a mortal wound from which he afterward died on March 8, 1902. That at the time of the shooting, the defendants John H. House and John C. House were present, actively advising, aiding, abetting and assisting said Orson A. House in the commission of the said crime, to wit—the shooting of the intestate, all to this plaintiff's damage of $10,000.
Sixth. That the aforesaid injuries to plaintiff's intestate, as well as his death, resulted from the careless, wanton and reckless negligence, and willful manner in which the said defendants discharged said gun, and from the wrongful act, neglect, and default of the defendant in respect thereto, and that there was no negligence or carelessness on the part of said George Bennett, which caused or contributed to his injuries and death.
Seventh. That for some time prior to the third day of March, 1902, the plaintiff's intestate had been working on the farm of defendants in the town of Lapeer aforesaid, and with his family, resided in the house, or part of the same house, occupied by the defendants, and at the time of the shooting, said intestate was lawfully upon the premises aforesaid, and for the purpose of obtaining personal property which then and there belonged to him, and to which he had the right of possession. That shortly after the shooting, said intestate was removed to the Cortland City hospital in Cortland, N. Y., where he received proper medical attention and treatment, but he remained violently sick, and continued to grow worse from the effects of the aforesaid wounds and shooting, until March 8, 1902, when he died.
Eighth. That the said George Bennett at the time of his death was about 48 years of age, and was in good health and able to work. He was among other things, a farmer by occupation, and was well qualified to engage in it and conduct said business. He was also qualified and competent to engage in it and other of the various industries commonly [pursued]. He was capable of earning and did earn good wages. He was married to the plaintiff herein about the year 1892, and at the time of his death left him surviving, his wife, Jennie Bennett, and an infant child, to wit, Harry Bennett, a boy 8 years of age, the issue of said marriage. That said intestate had always supported his said family, and at the time of his death was supporting his said family by his earnings, and they were depending solely upon him for their support. That by reason of his death, this plaintiff and her child, herein represented by her, as such administratrix, were deprived of their said support, and of the care, society and affection of said husband and parent.
Ninth. That said George Bennett at the time of his death, was a resident of the county of Cortland, and state of New York, and left no last will and testament. That on or about March 12, 1902, on an application duly made letters of administration upon his estate, were duly issued out of the surrogate's court of said county of Cortland, unto whom jurisdiction thereon pertained, to this plaintiff. and she thereupon duly took her oath of office, filed her bond and duly qualified and is now acting as administratrix of the goods, chattels and credits of said George Bennett, deceased, and this action is brought by her in her representative capacity as administratrix aforesaid, to recover the damages herein of these defendants, within two years since the death of said George Bennett.
That by reason of the facts and circumstances aforesaid, this plaintiff and her said child, represented by her as such administratrix have been damaged in the sum of $10,000 and this action is brought by her as administratrix aforesaid, to recover said damages of these defendants.
Wherefore plaintiff demands judgment against the defendants above named, for the sum of $10,000, with interest thereon from March 8, 1902, besides the costs and disbursements of this action.
Dated this 12th day of March, 1902.
HORACE L. BRONSON, Attorney for plaintiff.
The content of the deposition is sworn to by the deponent, Jennie Bennett.
LEGACIES TO HOSPITAL.
One Helped Reduce the Mortgage, Another Settled Bills.
The legacies to the Cortland hospital of $500 from the H. P. Goodrich estate and $400 from the Robert Purvis estate have recently been received. Five hundred dollars was applied on the mortgage indebtedness, reducing that to $1,000. The balance, unfortunately, had to be immediately used to settle bills for current expenses.
New Orchestra Organized.
J. Emmet Kane and George C. Murphy have organized a new orchestra that includes some of the best musicians in the city. The players have been selected with great care and the combination will no doubt be a good one. They are prepared to furnish music for dances or other parties.
BREVITIES.
—Mrs. Alta Tubbs of Moravia has sold her house and lot, 56 Lincoln-ave., to Mr. W. H. Silcox.
—Mrs. Addie Wright, 62 Lincoln-ave., has sold her house and lot to Mr. John Agard who will take possession April 1.
—New display advertisements today are—S. Simmons, Clothing, page 4; W. J. Perkins, Pure drugs, page 6; S. P. Smith, meats, page 6.
—Mrs. Comerford and son of Sempronius have rented Mrs. L. E. Andrews' tenant house on Lincoln-ave. and will take possession April 1.
—Superintendent Hugh Buegler of the Traction company has rented the Seymour house, 68 Railroad-st., recently purchased by Miss Van Rensselaer.
—The city superintendent of streets would unquestionably add very materially to his popularity if he would detail a man to clean the crossing places on the asphalt on Main-st. and some of the other streets where the snow and ice have melted away. They are in decidedly filthy shape at present, and there seems to be no reason why they should remain so.
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