Conductors and Motormen Stop Work for Reasons Not Yet Known Between three and four hundred conductors and motormen in the employ of the French Tramway Ca. went on strike on Tuesday morning Stopping tram traffic all day in the Concession. It is believed that the strikers are working for an increase in wages, but officials of the erin. pany state that nota single demand has yet been presented to them, nor have they any intimation as to why the men walked out.
'One oficial told a representative: of the "North-China Daily News' on Tuesday afternoon that the men quit their posts on Monday night usual and without declaring their intentions of not showing up for work the following morning. At 6 o'clock on Tuesday morning when the trams are supposed to. start running not a single conductor or motorman was on hand, although the other employees such as the inspectors, point men, ete. came to) work. 'The workers in the power plant also showed up, as well those in the work' shops. Jatter were put on a tram and sent to the shops, this being the only car that moved from the sheds all day.
The officials were at loss to know the cause of the strike, they said, no demands having been, presented. They say, however, that should the strikers present their grievances to the company they will be considered fairly, In this regard, they thut when the men ushed for an increase in wages some 15 months ago the matter was taken up and an increase granted, which seemed' to satisfy all, In the present case no Topresentative of the strikers approached them prior to the strik: and for this reason they are doubtful if the feal cause is on recount of wages, 'A Well Laid Scheme On the other hand, it was learned] from an outside source, but a well-authenticated one, that there) rey, has been some agitation amongst the motormen and conductors now for several days, mostings having been held for the purpose of dis~ cussing the proposed strike, This theory seems to be well grounded from the fact that a handbill, alleged to be the one giving the order to strike, was found fon Tuesday. A translation of thy leaflet. rends:—"Fellow workers! Our demand for fan increase of wages was submitted three days ago and the management has given us no reply. Moreover the management has, on slight pretext, dismissed conductors and motormen, Our condition is unbearable! All tramway employees are to go on strike to-day, December! 21, and to await a settlement of the dispute. In the meantime all of you shoul styletly observe the orders issued by the employees' union." Sd. The French Tramwa Ca, and Waterworks Employees' Union, When news of the strike had been conveyed te the offices of the Shanghai Tramway Ca. in the Settlement, they ordered that all their cars' running into the Frene® Concession be put on different! routes Tt is said that the striking ployees have sent pickets" into Chinese territory to. try and persuade the Chinese Tramway! Employees also to strike, but up to Tuesday night their efforts hed failed. There were also rumour! of lated easet of contuctars. and motormen of the Shanghat.'Trame sway being approached by. pickets Dut trams in the Sattlement are ssi ranning normally
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.