Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 27 July 1908, page 7


SYDNEY TRAMWAY STRIKE.

-is. <)9^B>

ENORMOUS MASS MEETING. HOSTILE DEMONSTRATIONS.

RAILWAY MEN ASKED TO JOIN.

AUTHORITIES REMAIN UNDAUNTED.

REASONABLE SERVICE MAINTAINED,

_'

(BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTERS).

SYDNEY, Sunday. - The Sydney tram strikers find themselves today in a desperate pass. The wheels have not ceased to go round, and the public have not supported them as they were deluded into believing A vast city concern like the tram ways was stopped for an hour or two when the men stepped off their cars on Friday and the cleaners threw down their tools But it only remained meet for a few hours, and then the forces of authority freed it once more to do its work It will do 'it only partially to-day but to morrow it will be a whole going concern

The vulnerable spot man electric

tramway system is the power house The man counted upon inducing the hands at the powerhouse, to go out with them. They did not do so at first, and the wires Still thrilled with the currents Yesterday some did IciA c, and to-day others. At short notice some of the vacated posts were filled I

Tomorrow the fourth year University students are prepared to go on duty, and so keep up the source of supply. It is only a question of 16 trained men The University I

men have more than the qualification-they have the willingness to do the work With the cars manned and the vulnerable spot at the power house protected, the service is

inUtt

i This has all been recognised by the

strikers, and they are looking to a much Auster concern than their own for the real sinking AVenpon - the railways The Sydney Labour Council felt the position most keen 1). In many well informed quarters it is stated without hesitation

that their object was to attack the new Industrial Disputes Act By its terms inciters to striking are liable to a penalty of £1,000, or two months' imprisonment The unions are liable for every member of their ranks convicted, and the Government, in addition, has power to create wages boards. The punishment struck from their hands the most powerful weapon they wielded 'the wages board dispensed with the abortive Arbitration Court On Saturday the Labour Council and the tramcar) oxecutiAO conferred, and it was decided to, give the executive of the council permission to call out to the aid of the strikers any union or unions they chose The choice has fallen on the railway men.

The Premier (Mr. Wade) tonight de timed to make any statement regarding the strike, except that the Government was preparing to take action under the Indus to ral Disputes Act. The Ministry has power, under section 14 of that act, on the recom-inundation of the Industrial Court, and without any formal application from an em- ployer or employees, to direct the constitu-lion of a board in any case which the Industrial Court considers to be one of urgency, or for the determination of any dispute which has arisen.

The new position will be determined to morrow morning, when a representative of the executive of the Locomotive Engine Drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association Avail wait upon the chief commissioner (Mr

Johnson). This deputation will comprise Mr Robert C Walton, president, and -li Robert Hollis, MLA, secretary of the organisation. The) will present to the chief commissioner what is tantamount to an ultimatum of the railway men, in so far as it is their espousal of the cause of the tramway men They Avail ask that Croucher be reinstated, and that the system of espionage be abolished, or, as an alterna-live, that Croucher's case be referred to an impartial tribunal for decision

The executive of the Locomotive Engine Drivers', Firemen, and Cleaners' Associa tion was in conference with the representatives of the Labour Council and of the ~ nunn ay Union during the whole of to day, at St George's Hall, Newtown The tramway men placed their case fully before the body, and the executive of the Labour Council, including Mr P B Marshall (president), and, Mr J P Cochrane (Beere tar)), stated that the attitude taken up by the Tramway Union had the entire sympathy of the council The delegation went further, and pointed out that failing some satisfaction being given forthwith, an extension of the crisis was imperative in the interests of unionism In view of this, they stated that a plan of campaign had been mapped out which, if hostilities were pushed to extremes, would bring 80,000 unionists under strike conditions I

he conference was closed to the press, but according to a statement made bubble quently b) Mr Hollis, M.L.A., the executive decided to stand by the tram way) men in the fight He said that the meeting had been a long one, and that every phase of the situation had been discussed Very grave possibilities stood before them, and much depended on the result of the winter

A few which lie and Mr Walton would have with the chief commissioner on the following morning If the result should be le is used is unsatisfactory) by him and his president, steps would be at once taken to 1 ung about district meetings of the union, to determine upon immediate action

Questioned as to whether a ballot would be necessary before his men could cease work, All Hollis said that a majority) vote it the whole of the district meetings would suffice He admitted that the situation at the moment was one of great delicacy, and expressed the earnest hope that even at this, almost the eleventh hour, the Government

might see its way to step in and avert what might otherwise prove to be a terrible calamity

THE CITY ON SATURDAY.

NO TRAMS AT NIGHT.

THRONGS IN THE STREETS.

It was more curiosity than callousness that impelled the people on Saturday to parade the streets and occasionally to stop while a tram whizzed past The al traction of the day was the strike, and the incidents it might provide for those astir Very little business was transacted in the

shops

FREE RIDES.

In ill, 121 trams were run on the lines serving Waverley, Bondi Coogee Botany, Leichardt Drummoyne, Watson s Bay, the central railway station, and North Sydney Those who were in the city from necessity found that this number sufficed Pleasure seekers were not particular whether they walked or not One set of attraction pro motets the Rugby Union was hard hit A big interstate football match at the Sydney Cricket ground was fixed for the afternoon, and with the favourable weather that prevailed, and the intense interest taken in the fixture a large attendance was looked for There were, however, only 10 000 present The tramway department had determined not to cater for the ground and the loss in numbers due to this action is estimated at 15 000 Hundreds of those

who reached the vicinity of the ground by means of Coogee trams so swamped the cars that the newly appointed conductors found the task of collecting tickets impossible They gave up after several vain attempts, and allowed the citizens a free ride It was not that they were badgered or bartered by those aboard, but that their efforts either to encircle or thread through the packed masses were futile

HOOTING THE CONDUCTORS.

At one time the success of the department's efforts to maintain a service to Waverley were seriously interfered with Cars left the depots fully staffed, but as they appeared outside the strikers and then friends stormed at the emergency men with threats and yells One of the conductors happened to be a footballer Upon him an exceedingly vigorous attack was made His name was painted in black letters on a white sheet, and held up to a chorus of ' Will his mates, the Rugby players go with him'' "No," came back it deafening shout When the crowd had ceased their chorus to a quieter accompany ment, the names of others who were working in the strikers' and ices were similarly displayed The crowd abused the conductors, who were in plain clothes, and wore ticket bags The means taken to cause discomfort to the men were success-full in the case of half a dozen. That number were reported later in the day as missing from their trams To one man, who pleaded that he accepted employment because he was in straitened circumstances, a subscription was raised among the onlookers amongst whom he stepped prior to going out on the second journey Trouble threatened for a few moments outside the signal box. at Glebe The occupant had been deaf to the entreaties of those outside to desert the boy and as the crowd surged towards the spot the police took up positions better to aid him if necessary

MAIN. ARMY'S G A SERVICE.

trams were run every few minutes along the Pitt street route to the railway Drummoyne had a service which averaged one car about every 20 minutes, but no service was attempted to Balmain, as the fences that were convenient Later on the Leich-hardt service was started, and the eastern suburbs served This was a great boon to the travelling public On the Ocean street line a five minutes service was arranged, but the cars did not go further down King street than Elizabeth-street to Willoughby and Mosman good services were maintained

OUTSIDE THE TRADES HALL, j

POLICEMEN MOBBED.

In George-street, in the vicinity of the Trades-hall, another scene took place on Saturday morning, but the determined action of the police prevented the occurrence of noting

THE WAITING CROWD.

Members of the Tramway Union had as assembled at the headquarters soon after breakfast to consider the position Many of their number, wearing red ribbons in their coats gathered in knots at the corner of George and Goulburn streets There were also several hundreds of idlers and larrikins 4. posse of police, under an spector Roche determined to disperse the crowd It was rather difficult, for as soon as the people were moved from one position they took up another, waiting to find out

what developments there would be for one lily two hours not a tram was seen in George street, but suddenly two-one following close on the other made their ap- pearance from the western suburbs Excitement ran high and there was a move to block the progress the police how ever rose to the occasion and the onlookers were driven back to the gutters, and the roadway was left fairly clear

ARREST PRECIPITATES TROUBLE.

Meanwhile two plainclothes constables were marching off with two young men who had hooted a driver As soon as the crowd saw what had happened they surrounded the police and there were cries of Mob them The plainclothes men and their prisoners were bustled from one side of the road to the other, and finally the officers were knocked down, but a uniform man came to the rescue While the

uniformed constable was pushing the crowd back from the men on the ground he also was knocked down His helmet was trampled upon his belt was out, and his re v oh it was stolen He regained his feet, rushed out light and left, and kept the singing crowd at bay until the load was clear II and the prisoners locked up A moment later a third man was taken to the station, and some time afterwards two more were arrested This had a whole some effect upon the crowd, who scattered in odd lots The police altogether arrested

twenty one men during the day. Most of the offences come under the head of - of insulting language

PRICE RATIONS FOR THE NIGHT.

Living the whole day in an atmosphere of threats that the cars would be stopped, overturned, or blown up at night, the tramway authorities sought relief Orders were given to stop the running of the trams at

6 o'clock in the evening and the police department AVIS KIVIHPII that a full muster of men would be advisable The effect is amazing I am night passed without inci- dent, but there are novelties in the picture For it emen nom met with at every comer Unusually large crowds picked the streets, and the hiss of the ti ladling oils, and the noisy clang of the bells were absent The theatrical managers have not joined the ranks of those discontented with the strike Those who come into Sydney on Saturday a) night to attend thethcalicsicside,tc>ahirge extent in the nearest suburbs Darling hurst, Paddington, and Redfern-to which. walking is not exceptional Other contin seals come from Darling Point and Wool

them and to those composing it a cab is no novelty The big like h 11 not been in existence long enough for either the theatrical manager h of the shopkeepers to miss the patronage of the customers in the remoter

suburbs

RAINBIRD PARTY Mr STEP-.

A MISSING LETTER

The bille Parliamentary Labour party, of which Mr. Al Gower is the leader, con sidered the position of the tramway cm ployees, and passed a resolution, which was forwarded about ten days ago to the executive of the They Labour Council, con-demning the resort to strike Efforts to obtain the Labour jp party's letter for the purposes of publication have faded Some say that it was thrown into the waste paper basket, but that a copy is in existence Had its contents been made public, it is possible that the st like of tramway, men would never have taken place

The attitude of trades organisation to wards the Industrial Disputes Act was discussed by the Labour party some weeks ago, but the intervention of the Commonwealth Labour Conference in Brisbane necessitated

the absence from Sydney for some d lys of

Ali M Gol on and Air Holman and a decision on the question was deferred pending then return About ten days ago the sub feet was resumed and di°cii<_~d in all its bearings Vi "h the possibility of the tram way strike in view, the party adopted a

SCENE IN GEORGE-ST. SHOWING THE IMMENSE CROWD, WHICH GATHERED WHILE THE OFFICERS WERE ( ATTEMPTING TO GET THE CATS AWAY. The

entrance to the Town-hall is on the right.

resolution to the effect that while it recognised the light of the) union to refuse to register, and the light of the Sydney Labour Council to recommend that course it would not connive at any breach of the law or coun- the race is in the words the party realised that there was no obligation upon a union to register, but that the Industrial Disputes Act being law must be respected, and amended if necessary by constitutional

' VIEW OF GEORGE-ST., SHOWING LONG STRING OF CARS BANKED UP AND TRAFFIC ENTIRELY BLOCKED. I

means This resolution was embodied in a letter to the executive of the Labour Council,

and the fact that the content has not been made public is a matter for great surprise in political circles

' SUCCESSFUL PICKETING.

The pickets placed by the strikers to endeavour

to persuade the new men to leave

the cars were successful at Waverley with two men They gave up their jobs today),

but in most ult They were unsuccessful |

Shortly) after the Dutch home they had II. Return of fortune at Circular Quay, two

more men joining the ranks One of the I

POLICEMEN, POST AND MOUNTED, PROTECTING OFFICERS MOVING CARS IN THE I VICINITY OF THE REDFERN RAILWAY STATION.

pain, with his big and tickets, bolted up the street These he should have handed in at the depot be pleased were the pickets at their success and they carried the second man shoulder high Two more men were sent down from headquarters to take the place of the two who had left the cars The police broke up several pick it gangs

HOW SUNDAY PASSED.

LIMITED TRAM SERVICES.

HARVEST FOR CARS AND 'BUSES.

SYDNEY, Sunday. - To one arriving from Melbourne by express on Sunday morning there was really very little abnor

/

mail to be noticed In fact, the first sound that greet the visitor as he stepped from the entrance to the central station it is that of a tram winning on its wide circle The uniformed constable on the platform at the front end of the year seemed, however, incongruous The next tram travelling Lu lons Castlereagh street was composed of

two days. There was again a policeman on the front uniform, and another one on the rear platform of the tim! air. The precaution, is on Saturday, was being taken against the possibility delivers 01 conductor being set upon, but it seemed fianceestary. Hardly a person was seated in the

trees and the streets were almost de-scribed As the day progressed the Mine good order ruled, except for an occasional demonstration, jeers and boo boos berne, given vent to as thousands crossed the streets on their way to and from the big gathering in the Domain in the afternoon

in all, 80 trams were in commission for

the day, serving the suburbs which did not have the convenience of other means of transit tram drivers and conductors were last hard to find for this limited number of cars, and the emergency men were more fertile with the work, and referred to keep at their posts A few old hands had in the meantime been discovered and requisitioned, and a handful of loyalists, at kel examiners, and clerks in the offices who were acquainted

with the duties remained with the depu- ment

Considering that nearly 100 000 people poured from all parts to the Domain in the afternoon, and were not of the city he nightfall, and that the trams were never at any time overstocked it may be assured that the streams of cabs, omnibuses, motor cars, vans, and all sorts of vehicles named

many people So far, complain - as to overcharging by the newcomers into the field of passenger craving have not been numerous 1 of the trip to Dunwich Alex umhin Waterton ltinihviclt and Bondi the charges vary from sixpence to a shilling per head, while to destinations closer to the

city the ordinary i lies twopence and threepence are in force Cib hue was ex tensive last night for a time but upon the return of the outgoing contingent the fines fell to normal 411 the motor garages are running cars for a suddenly enlarged eben tale but as may be imagined the number is sufficient to relieve the pressure to any

appreciable extent IfSvdnc) were not so fully, and had Melbourne s roomy waggon elie-, a roaring business would be done by their owners at a time like this

THE UNION EIGHT OR WRONG ,

_,NUÄcrA.I10V or pnnvcu'i.E-.

[ Mr Peter Bowling, president of the J

Northern District Miners'' Federation,

speaking at Newcastle today, made a pro-nouncement sent out a union was ordered to strike Other unions --IKHIIII support it, vi helmet the strike was right or wrong He assured the tramway men of the whole hearted support of the miners in the present dispute. At Newcastle the drivers of tram

i

motors pending instructions from the union, stuck to their posts yesterday and

to du)

PROCESSION IN THE STREETS

TWO TRAMS BREAK THROUGH. Prior to the demonstration in the Domain this afternoon the strikers who, with their immediate friends and their partners numbered six or seven thousand formed portion in George street and portion in Goulburn street The rearguard of the latter was on the steps of the Trades hall

Headed by the Tramway Band, the procession marched to the meeting ground in the Domain All wore inmates thou sands of the general public followed on both sides The route lay up BiicMicld Hill, and then along Park street Nothing but the i rather saddening shams of the music and the greetings exchanged between strikers and then friends, in the crowd looks upon the cat-, until Castlereagh Street AVIS n. preached A strong body of police held the head of the procession in (beck and before pen putting them to pass down the thoroughfare which is the busiest route for trams in the city sent out scouts to see if the way were clear Not a tram was in sight and the procession moved for and the act of moving was not a correct ted one and to the dismay of the police, It was seen that while the head Was crosS mi, the Castlereagh Street ham lines the remainder of the procession was asking what had happened in front

RESOLUTE IRA Ar DIUAGR.

All the time a train which had suddenly appeared further up the road at the lung street crossing was gaining on them. It was hoped s to avert the meeting A sin nil) uniformed driver was in charge of the handle a policeman was beside him, and the stern unflinching looks on the faces of the pan showed that Bocoble was ahead if a challenge were issued Those in the procession did not break their formation, but stood and groaned The crowd left

the footpaths, and massed about the driver and policeman on the front of the platform. the driver, who is well known in the service for a tiekct-cMiminei. paid no heed to the calls to "Come off and join us," nor did he him even to look at several who shouted offensive epithets A well known sporting man boarded the car, and the tram slowly I passed through the procession, while the

air was filled with hissing and groaning

Before the remainder of the procession had crossed the street, i is an dished up,

switched off stills, Had amidst yells and | shouts or 'Look out you Thunderer, who do you want to kill' bundled uncle mercilessly through the tanks

The Worlds Heccird Jumnl See illustrations in ' life Aublialailuu," baling), July 25.

THE POLICE ON GUARD.

Ports of the procession then joined once more and the long line stretched downPuk street along College street and past by Mary s Cathedral, the steps of which were black with people and though the Domain Hyde-park was filled with the scampering", leaping, forms of those who had broken from the route to be in before the procession as, its head passed through the gates the seem was sinking thousands of people were on the slopes leading from the Sydney Hospital and the Mitchell Library while a cordon of 2,000 policemen was drawn round a big space in the dip those who took up post lions comm meeting Unit which the police on ended were disappointed Ihp head of the procession appealed not in instant to make for the dip, wavered, and tin neil sharp to the left It broke up and formed round I stand previously over upied by a son dist speaker- led li ig, table, and all

THE DOMAIN GATHERING.

NEAR 300,000 PEOPE lb.

ONE LABOUR MEMBER PRESENT.

The most thrilling sensations at the Domain gathering were to be had, after all, by those who took up positions on the slopes Those below and close to the centre heard more perhaps, but they were hurt in the effort It was a wonder fully dense and vast miss, amongst which the speakers gesticulated and loved It seemed as if the bowl like lands forming the Domain had been suddenly filled up and levelled in summer time the picture would have been glorious, but told wind blew to-day, and people clod ed themselves for the, occasion as no residents of Melbourne would have done The result w 13 a drab colored picture broken only by an occasional splash of colour in the painfully ill chosen dress and hat of 1 female sympathiser and the dull green of the stunted fig tree which seemed as mere bushes when thousands had packed themselves around them Women were found on the outskirts anxious to secure a spot in which to rest Many had been lifted out in a fainting condition by penenced police officers estimate that all told there were nearly 100,000 persons on the ground.

At the central stand the first to appear on the table was Mr H Lawton president of the Tramway Employees' Union. He was cheered by those immediately si friendmg the table, but was too far away to be recognised by the 19 000 others Mr 1/nvton, who cannot claim to be no orator, told the story one bonus on every hand of

Conductor Croucher

You prove that he has been wronged," cried a man close to the speaker

' We want to prove it," retorted Mr Lawton ' That is why we ask for another

tribunal "

' Rot " said the man in the crowd Any-thing for an excuse"

But the president of the strikers' union went on He said nothing that has not been said by him at every deputation to the Government and the commissioners, and gave way to Mr " Andy ' Kelly, M L A

The crowd recognised the new speaker by his bald head and square set frame, and cheered Mr Kelly was the only member of the state Paili mentary Labour party at the gathering Many had already noted the fact, but the speaker a did not mention it Mr Kelly said that he was speaking in support of suffering humanity He wanted British justice for all 1 mr play was fair play Only once did it seem that Mr Kelly was aware of the part he was playing at that demonstration which was when he rattled out, I am here is an individual and as a member of 1 party th it is IUMOUS to have this struggle ended by constitutional means ' Once only did he suggest a means - the commissioners backing down, and a new tank for Croucher being held "As

a guard against disorder, evidence of which was very rarely pronounced, speakers of all ! and agitators socialists, free thinkers and still are, took up stands at different parts and harangued the crowd for another bom General resolutions of sympathy with the men were declared tar ned me then the assemblage broke up and poured homewards It is I marvel that so many should have got out of the streets of the city so quickly in a time such as this The restaurants everywhere this' evening were as cheerless inside as were the streets

outside

CALLING OUT THE MILITARY.

Mr Catts, MHR, was one of the speakers at a demonstration at Newtown bridge, in front of the tramway depot, on Saturday of 10,000 people He took exception to the Premier ordering out the mounted police

A Voice He said he would order and military out

Mr Catts - That is just where Mr. Wade made a mistake He could call till he was tried, but the military would take no heed of his call They were in the hands of the

Federal Government

Another speaker, Mr Stuart Robertson M L A said -Mr Wade has n street and a cold heart He is ditional He is cold and sullen, and will not listen to reason He is a public burglar

A motion was put at the meeting that the special officer system as it exists in the tramway department is repentant to 13s tish justice, and is against the beat finds tions of the race 'Uns was declared on ned unanimously The cheering lasted for some time, and was resumed when the chairman announced that a number of tick ct ex miners and sub inspectors had met, and decided to leave the cars and join the

union

POLICE COURT CASES

CROFT SENT TO GAOL

The most important case was that in which Richard Croft was concerned Croft, who was described as an accountant, was charged before Mr Smithers, SM, at the Water Police Court with having used in stating words to Charles Walsh, in King street, with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. It was stated that about 5 p 111

on Friday 11 tram was in King street and a man was in the act of turning the polo when the tramway official was insulted and Croft used the words complained of, bawl ing out at the top of his voice, in the presence of a crowd numbering five thousand people A fine of £3 was imposed, with the alternative of one month's imprisonment Croft was again charged with having

used insulting words to John Smiley Read, in King sheet with intent to provoke a breach of the peace A line of 63 was imposed or in default one month's imprisonment On 1 third charge of having unlawfully assaulted Senior Detective John Tul

lerton Croft pleaded guilty It was stated that when arrested he resisted, and in the struggle taught the officer by the hand, turned his fingers up and cut him below the finger with his thumb and besides kicking the officer and fighting like a madman On this charge he was sent to gaol for one month without the option of a fine

atAXIMUlI PENAL TIES.

The greater portion of the time of the Central Police Court on Saturday was devoted to dealing with cases arising out of the disturbances connected with the strike The majority of cases were of minor 1111por tance but in each case the maximum penalty was imposed Mr Payten, S.M.,

was the magistrate

Percy Perrett a painter, pleaded guilty to having obstructed the free passage of a car by opening a switch as the car was beginning to move Perrott jumped on to the rear of the car and turned off the auto

in the switch thus causing the stoppage When arrested Pcnott resisted violently

He was fined 60/, with the option of it day is hard labour

James Carroll a news vendor, was charged with having assist Red Constable Hugh while he had a man under arrest Cai 1 oil flung half a brick at the constable and struck him on the neck Caroll was scull need to one month's hard labour

Edward 1 merson a labourer, pleaded guilty to a charge of having thrown eggs at the police A line of 40s with the utter native of H dijs bald labour, was in posed

1 Igu George Pike, a tram driver, pleaded guilty to having incited IMwiud I nielson to resist Constable Smudge W Little 1 person was in the constable's custody Pike was shouting Don't let him take him lads, get to him Surround him I V line of or in default one month's hard labour, was inflicted

I'lgindd living 1 tram conductor was fined c5 111 default a months. imprisonment on a similar charge

Louis I isher labourer 1 pleaded guilty to having thrown a stone in Otoigeslieet

1 laBor threw the stone at a mounted trooper When 111 tested he had eight huge pieces of blue met it in his possession Mr Payten, in fining wish 407 with the utter native of 21 days hard labour a mark that it was most unfortunate that he could not send 1 wishes to gaol without the option of a fine

ten other men of various occupations WHO charged with riotous conduct and with having use 1 insulting language and were also lined 01 imprisoned

Haunt Hickey charged with having thrown a stone at the front of a ham car,

was fined £2 in default one months. imprisonment

ATTEMPTS AT MEDIATION

PREMIER'S FIRM ATTITUDE

A deputation from the Parliamentary Labour part of New South Wales had in services on Saturday with the rennes (Ah AA ade) and Air A ston (honorary v Minister) with the object of arranging for negotiations for the settlement of the strike

but, as on the previous day, there was no

result

The position placed before An Ashton was summed up by one of the members of the deputation as follows - As the result of different interviews we had on Frida v with the Labour Council executive unclothe irpie«entü_Acs of the men on strike have found that there need have been absolutely nothing between what Air Johnson the Chief Railways Commis lunch was prepared to concede and at the men might have been prepared to accept It thus became only a matter of negotations to be in" the conflicting parties together The tramway men have made but move which the members of the back urinary . city ev dently regard as a false one and it is for them to take their place on the trams in order that she way may be cleared for negoti mons which the cb ct commissione and the Government have li along been attrccable should take place.

The negotiations with the Premier were based on the reinstatement of Conductor

( Boucher an the Premier declined to consider

them He said that the commis- Jones had given even consideration to the position exercised every person able forbearance and filled in every reasonable way to settle the matter. He o ved i duty to the public

and it must be performed in the interests of his and Older the only honest come to

the Government was to be. st to the last the unlawful pre time that had been brought to bear upon it. The attitude of the men was so immense i able that they had no the least claim upon the sympathy of the public Further secret it can avoid 1 be useless unless the men returned to work

"A TOUGH PROPOSITION"

AIR PERRY'S A FEW

Air Peru Minister for Agriculture was present at the banquet of the Commercial Travellers Association last night Referring to the strike he said that the tram way men in making trouble were up against the toughest proposition they could get. He regretted that a great number of men had been Iel ranged into voting for the strike He hoped that the trouble would soon he settled but he assured those present

that the Railway Commissioners in their (um attitude had the Government behind them\JAli Johnson the Chief Railway Commissioner believed from the bolton of his heart that the vast majority of the tramway men never wished to still and that had it not been for intimidation resorted to at the last they would not have stepped from their cars

"A FINAL EFFORT"

STVrrAIEM1 BY AIR McGOWEN

'Some light was thrown on the mysterious attitude towards the study of the state Parliamentary Labour party when life to night Mr A Gow on leader of the Opposi-

lion made an important statement He said that after the party separ died from Parliament house on Friday) evening the members of the party met the strike com-mitted at the Trades-hall in consultation and (got it to withdraw its demand respect-ing the reinstatement of Croucher The committee practically accepted the position

adding If we could get some promise of an inquiry whether b) a Royal commission, in independent board 01 any tribunal in conformity with the spirit of the Industrial Disputes Act we will willingly) in struct the men to go back to work' It was then in the minds of the committee that the men would be on the cars again rather on Saturday afternoon 01 night The same position was placed before Mr. Ashton honorary Minister on Saturday morning and he promised to convey it to the Premier but it is understood that it was not favourably received Non we have decided said All At Gowan that the hour for negotiations is not Yet closed We don't want an) political I do, in the matter but Albon the House meets on Tuesday he shall be prepared to take definite action The Wade Government mere ouced its bill for an independent tribunal under the Industrial Disputes Act It appointed a special court for the Newcastle miners It is going to give in independent board for the Merchant Service Guild hall when a few days ago the strike e took place at Barron Jack works Ali Lee (Minister for AVorl s) went there I get a board is to be appointed to inquire into their grievances and on that promise the men returned to work These men at Darren and are in the same position as the train men they are state servants The) truck they received a promise the) declared the strike off and are now at work W e are going to make a final effort with the Premier tomorrow Some members of my party have been with me in ii I its to-night Ah- Hughes AT H R being also present We talked it over and what is AV hat we have decided to do"

HISTORY OF THE TROUBLE

-ClUSr AAD IJEAEI PARENT

The strike e has arisen from one cause only Throughout the representations that preceded the actual strike and the negotia-tions between the commissioners and the men there has been no complaint on be half of the conductors of an) gi lev ance except that arising out of the special officer

system This method of protecting the revenue arises out of the peculiar circumstances of the Sydney tram service The bell punch check as it is known in Melbourne and in a modified AVE) in other cities is not used The whole service is w worked on a system of tickets which resemble the thin slip of paper given to Melbourne passengers at transfers from one s line to another These tickets are printed

in the various issues according to the section which they are to cover and the conduct toes on each line are given a limited number of each denomination These issues are distinguished from day to day by alphabetical progression That is to say on Monday there will be the A issue on Tuesday the B ' issue and so on until the alphabet is exhausted and the round commenced again No collection is made of the tickets During the journey the conductor sights them as often as he considers necessary but when the passenger leaves the car he takes the ticket with him and there is a request printed upon it that he should destroy it

All these safeguards are intended pri

man is) to protect the tramway) revenue from evasion b> passengers and at the same time to ensure conditions which. Al ii) prevent any leakage of revenue into the pockets of dishonest conductors

The special officer is an unknown passenger who has been detailed by the commis-sioners for the purpose of guaranteeing that in ordinary.) circumstances when the men are not presumably under observation they discharge their duties carefully and honestly these officers are of course changed frequently and they are freshly alway s taken temporal iii from the police force The men have always objected to the system They have felt that its continuance is a reflection upon a service where the great majority of the men are honest and the responsible officials of the union Have contended that the positions and the aspirations of men with characters as good as those who have been set to match are placed in the keeping of special officers who are frequently the raw materials of the police department who have to win distinction in the service. The commissioners on the other land have hitherto taken up the stand that the most ugle! system of electors applied in even the. utment of commercial life Isis they contend no reflection upon any honest man that his work should be subject to I v ersight even though at the time he should be unconscious of that oversight The immense traffic in Sydney consequent on the popular penny sections system leads to the issue of thousands of these tickets every-day and the pos- abilities for fraud in the absence of constant and efficient check would invite systematic peculiar

tion

The special officer system has not been a dead letter On the contrary it has been active in operation This has led on the one hand to the commissioners defending its continuance and to the men demanding that it should be withdrawn On March 14 a deputation w enter upon the commissioners in connection with the case of a conductor who was rising of the sel

Alec is a re all of a clinic mile by one of these s] eel in office The Chief Railways Commissioner (Mr J H Vinson)

AT while stating that personally he would wish to discontinue the system said that

the reports of his advisers were in favour of its continuance Subsequently another conductor was changed but he was fortunate enough to be able to locate the pas MILCH to whom I ekets were needed to have been limping ill 1 sued these pas wages (The evidence in favour of the con-

I doctor who was acquitted by a departmenral

board Hits case aroused a great deal of feeling among the men as it was thought that had it not been for the conductor j good fortune in being able to call the new singers he too would have been dismissed the service is the w eight of the evidence by the special officer was against him in a later case the departmental board considered that the evidence as to the truth of allegations made by a special officer was unreliable if not untrue and the case against the conductor was dismissed Later however her mother conductor was dismissed

finally the case against Harold Croucher was brought under notice N. charge was laid against him and on Monday July n as a result of evidence by special officers he was recommended for dismissal by a de partments board A. deputation waited upon the Railway Commissioners and a ked that the special officers should be

cold 1 and that Croucher should be le in tate I The commons, loners in the first pace. considered Croucher's case and the evidence against him and determined that the recommendation of the board should be modified to the extent that at the end of six months he should be entitled to apply for reinstatement On the other point Mr. Johnson said that he could not consent to the special officer M stem being libel

i lied but agreed to go fully into it with the men on return from a tour which he then contemplated to Broken Hill The union officials took up the attitude that the controls ion with regard to Croucher was a confe ion of weakness and a strike was determined upon

CONDUCTOR CROUCHER r\ THE S CE ON THE APPEAL

*vi.D\I I found by -"--so much has been made of Conductor Croucher case that the Railway Commissioners decided yesterday to make available the evidence taken before them on the appeal from the decision of the

Appeal Board which was composed of Ah H Al Lachlan the Secretary for Railways (chairman) Air AA Thow and Mr C Manson At the second appeal which was heard by the chief commissioner, Mr. John son and the tramway commissioner Ali Richardson, R Croft, who is now under arrest, and Air Warton appeared for Croucher Mr Kneeshaw the tramway superintendent, was also present

Croft said that the appellant relied upon the absence of corroboration as to two tickets said to have been issued by Croucher to two special officers who have been branded by the men as spotters

It might be explained briefly that the allegations made against Croucher are based on a statement by two special officers that they on July 9 journey ed by the Dulwich Hill (ram The tickets they received were few and to the tramway office and here as is the custom under the espionage sis tend the numbers were noted the fact then became apparent that the same number s had been on tickets issued for the same section on the same line on the previous day and by a conductor on the tram only 20 minutes ahead of that on which Croucher

was on that day

At the appeal to the commissioners Croft mentioned that there was an absence of corroboration is to the sale

the Chief Commissioner -Do you contend that corroboration has disappeared '

Croft-Intiieh One man said that he did not see the ticket w high the other offices got until they met some time afterwards

the Chief Commissioner It was rather singular that when the tickets came to be computed they showed consecutive number

s

Croft-It does not necessarily mean that the conductor on the tram had given them

to these two men

The Chief Commissioner -Can you suggest any means by which they could get

them'

Croft They might have seen two persons - i lady and a gentleman leave the tram and throw the tickets away and then pick them up

Mr Richardson -The r reports show that they were on the Camperdown line on the day on which the tickets were originally

served out

Croft that is so there is no check as to whether they were on the other line

Ah Kneeshaw - their Camperdown tickets show that there would only be time for them to get on to the Dulwich Hill tram where the tickets were first issued at lunch time and I have little doubt that they went home for lunch The special officers had no instructions to follow Croucher They did not know him or his number and were in no way biassed.

Croft (to the Chief Commisioner) -I leave the matter entirely in your hands I have nothing to say except this-that the fact of tickets showing that they were on certain

journey s to Camperdown on the day on which the tickets were originally issued is not evidence of how the time was taken up

The thief commissioner then examined the special officers Willard and Southwell very deliberately repeating each question several times to each Phcn reply was positive The men denied that they had ever previously seen Croucher or that they had been instructed to watch for him. They were novel on the Dulwich Hill tram on the day the tickets were originally issued but were handed the tickets next day

Harold Croucher said that it would be possible for tickets issued on July 8 to have been lying about for 24 hours and so picked

upon July 9

The Chief Comini sioner - By these two

men'

Croucher Ares it is quite possible

I understand that you also suggest that these two tickets bearing consecutive nuin tiers may have been picked up by these two officers on one of the lines upon which they were working upon the previous day and brought on to the Dulwich Hill line on July O'-A.e» that is light And

that when they made then notes in their books instead of noting the numbers of tickets that von issued to them they no ¡ed those numbers It is possible

In making known his decision the Chief Commisioner said - Bearing in mind Croucher s admittedly previous good character the decision will be i recorded as Appeal dismissed, but in view of his previous good chai Hotel and the previous good service he has done for the department we shall give himnnoppoitumtv at any rate of applying for re-admission into the department at the end of six months It is a somewhat unusual step to take hut I strongly hold my

sell and the tramway commissioner agrees with me that our only object in confirming the punishment which may seem scheme is that it may have a deterrent effect and thil we do not wish to give the impression that there is any desire to be v indices e to the servants of the department

POSITION AT -BROKEN HILL

bROKEN HILL "Sunday -The tramway strike has meant a harvest for the local c ribs which are plying to the south ing parts of the city A meeting of the local branch of the Tramway 1 Employees Union was held on Friday night about 15 men being present The meeting decided to communicate with Sydney with regard to the position of mechanics in the local trains iv service Some of these are members of the Boiler makers' Union the laws of which provide for a fine of £5 in the case of men Taking unless called out by the executive Some of the fitters are in the same position V. stril c committee of seven was appointed and the matters of str ii e p iv and pic! cling

were dicussed

The local secretary says that he hope that the strike will soon be finished by c intend of course here to see it through but we are determined to carry it without

violence he sad

The enginedrivers of course are not on strike c ndwenttoworl vessel lay as usual but were not able to start the cars because there w ere no conductors Air R Hollis general secretary of the 1 engine drivers s50Clc(,j has advised the local branch secretary that nothing should be done rashly or which will implicate the

society men

THE AUCKLAND DISPUTE

AUCKLAND Saturday -The decision in the tramways dispute has been received with intense indignation by all sections of employers some declare that a position has been set up which may revolutionise matters so far as the relations between master and man are concerned The head of one important firm said that the decision was the worst thing that had happened to employers and indirectly to industry in the

history of the Dominion

LABOUR SYMPATHY

At the quarterly meeting of the central executive of the Political Labour Council at the Trades hall Carlton on Saturday evening a resolution was adopted on the n onion of Air Blakey seconded by Mr. Moloney that the sympathy of the executive be accorded to the tramway men now on strike in Sydney