It is pertinent that following the strike of workers of the Tramway Company in the Settlement, strong Tumours gathered momentum that on a given day, operatives of the bus company would walk-out in sympathy with the strikers of the other company. Although the bus company received no official intimation of the threatened walk-out of the entire Chinese staff and operatives of the company.
Persistent rumours then prevailed that employees of the French tramways -would follow suit. The rumours have since become a fait accompli. In the case of the Settlement tramway company, an official declared that he would have settled the strike a few days ago after conferring with delegates of the workmen, were it not for political intervention.
An official of the China General Omnibus Company elaborated on the political influence behind the strike of employees of the company and disclosed that as early as July last, an "outside" union had made certain demands on the company which were not inconsistent with the 23 demands recently presented by the strikers. The company in July refused to negotiate with the union, for the simple reason that it was maintaining the most cordial relations with its workers, with whom it intended to deal directly.
New Committee Reorganized Obscure Demand The new ratepayers committee which takes orders from new Chinese authorities is composed of 21 members, many of whom are not at all known in Chinese ratepaying circles here. The committee came into existence many months ago at first under the supervision of the new Chinese city regime, but it is learned that of late it has felt Nanking's influence, having undergone reorganization.
"Informed Chinese circles view the situation with concern, stating that unless an international move is developed, the present status of the Chinese Ratepayers Association will be in danger, It is stated that a new political group is working for the control of the association ani elections. Mr, Tao Lo-ching, general secretary of the association, has left the city, having been black listed by Nanking.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.