SYDNEY TRAM TROUBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2252, 25 July 1908, Page 3

SYDNEY TRAM TROUBLE.

MEN GO IN STRIKE, CARS LEFT STANDING IN THE STREETS. A SERIOUS POSITION. United Press Association. Copyright , SYDNEY, July 21. After yesterday’s interview between tlie Railway Commissioners and representatives of the Tramway Employees’ Union, a mass meeting of day shift men was held. The president announced tho decision oi the Commissioners. The Chief Commissioner promised to consider and reorganise the espionage system, but firmly refused to reconsider the demand for reinstatement of Conductor Crouchcr, dismissed as the result ol the espionage system. Tho president of the union, addressing the meeting, from which the press were excluded, while not ad-vis-ing a strike, said that only.one course was opon. If it was decided to come out it would not be oh the espionage system only, but on every question of importance affecting the tramway men. He announced that the steam tram -drivers and- power-house men of the electrical staff would be with them in the event of a strike. A ballot was taken at a late hour, and resulted in 1420 voting for and 32 against a strike at noon to-day. A meeting of the night shift takes place this afternoon, but its decision cannot -alter the position, as last night’6 vote for a. strike totals more than the whole -number expectfed to vote to-day. Although the men propose to leave the trams wherever they happen to he at noon, they wil. stand by until- the department s offi- : cers arrive to take charge, arid should the power-house men participate, they will -see the cars run into the sheds before leaving their -posts. The superintendent of tramways declares that if an emergency arose the Commissioners and staff were ful-ly prepared; everything that reasonably could have been foreseen had been "provided for. It is understood that tlie Commissioners are prepared to make determined efforts to keep the trams Tun- ■ mug- It Ms stated that during the io&t few ■days forty clerks and trainway officers have been receiving instructions. Electric driven and also steam motors have been' overhauled with the view of possible use'. The Tramway. Employees’ Union numbers several thousands, but not all are directly affected. - The other unions affiliated on the Or and Council of Railway and Tramway Employ* ees arc the engine-drivers _ and faremen, tho total membership being ' 9000. The Grand Council at its last meeting adopted a resolution of sympathy with the tram men, and agreed to support their efforts to have the ■ espionage system abolished. lhe Trades and Labor Council also endorsed their action. The strike -has commenced. I'inning that some men were being relieved of duty as the cars -reached the power-houses,' -the others -immediately came out, leaving the trams standing in the streets. All the lines are idle. The cars are being removed to the power-houses, -large crowds watching. (Received July 24, 3.40 -p.m.) - • The decision to strike before the hour fixed was the outcome of the issuo of departmental instructions that all cars were to be returned to the depots before 11 o’clock so as to obviate the inconvenience of having them left standing in the streets. Tho union leaders ordered the men out forthwith. • . . ' The inspectors taking the abandonfid cars hack to the sheds were hooted .and jeered. Otherwise everything Jh mooting of the night- shift men unanimously endorsed the strike. Buses and cabs aro reaping a great harvest, -and the ferry services to the suburbs are being increased.

HOSTILE DEMONSTRATIONS. TALK OF A KAILWAY STRIKE. .United Press Association. Copyright (Received July 25, 12.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 21. . Tlio streets to-night were as orowdod as On election night, with a laige proportion of the rough element mingling with the merely curious. Since this morning, the feydneyite has been indulging in the novelty of walking, for there kno tram, service. One or two spasmodic attempts were madeto nm cars, but hostile demonstrations, made it almost impossible for the most loya.l employee to stick to nis arrests for assault were made during the afternoon, one or two or the victims being treated at the hoepita At the power-house 250 men came out in sympathy with the conductors The authorities state tjiat in some Stances cam have been tampered with, and parts removed. Although the department has had no success in the work <d ', ns.-if,their-trams to-day, it is stated tl a nrrangements for to-moriow ill 1 yido a modified service. ~ ■ A rumor, is current that the rail way men may strike in sympathy. this case a potion lull _ M created, paralysing trade- The. tian fctriko at its worst only inflicts inconvenience oil the .individuals living ."TttSSf* *. *ti the Premier . for an hoard of enquiry into , tne tianiuay illiiwt : t+lm men liad broken the law, v!inl t have to return to work before the 'Government’s intentions £U,or before W I" were made. . _,. i, vn i-,, n jllll The tramway men at 1 Newcastle have also btMick no