San Francisco’s street railroad strike showed no sign of ending in May 1907, despite efforts by a citizens’ committee to bring both sides to the table.
The dispute had reached a bitter deadlock. Officials of the United Railroads refused to recognize the car men’s union, arguing that the union had effectively ceased to exist after employees were discharged for refusing to report to the car barns as ordered.
From the company’s position, there was nothing left to negotiate. The officials insisted they had nothing to arbitrate and declared their intention to run the cars regardless of the strike.
That hard line made any peaceful settlement difficult.
Meanwhile, the city waited to see whether streetcar service could be restored under police protection. Two cars had been operated the previous day with somewhat better success than earlier attempts, though the tension along the route was unmistakable.
Crowds gathered as the cars passed. There were shouts, jeers, and attempts to interfere, but the police escort acted quickly to keep the tracks clear.
Not everyone opposed the return of the streetcars. According to the report, some onlookers greeted the cars with approval. The motormen were cheered and even showered with flowers as they made their way along the route, a sign that at least part of the public was eager for the city’s transportation system to resume.
Still, the future remained uncertain. More cars were expected to be sent out, but only as many as the police could protect. Until the city could provide enough security, a full return to streetcar service was impossible.
Great Strike Is Still On
SAN FRANCISCO, California. — Despite the efforts of the citizen’s committee, the settlement of the street railroad strike seems as far off as ever.
The United Railroad officials decline positively to recognize the car men’s union on the ground that it went out of existence when the company discharged it employees for disobeying the order to appear for work at the car barns on Tuesday morning last.
This position taken by the company acts as a handicap in any efforts to bring about a settlement, the only answer received from the officials being that they have nothing to arbitrate, and that they propose to run their cars.
Two cars were run yesterday with more success, under protection of the police.
The mob was in evidence all along the route taken by the cars, but outside of howls and jeering there was no disorder, and any attempts to block the road were promptly stopped by the police escort.
The appearance of the cars was greeted with manifestations of approval by the better element along the route, and the motormen on the cars were showered with flowers and heartily cheered as they passed.
Tis morning another attempt will be made to operate the system, and just as many cars will be sent out as the police will guarantee to protect, but until adequate protection can be given by the municipal authorities, the complete resumption of street car traffic is impossible.
Source: The Pensacola Journal. Pensacola, Fla. May 11, 1907.
