SYDNEY CARS STOP.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 259, 25 July 1908, Page 5

SYDNEY CARS STOP.

I THE HEN "OUT." . RAILWAY WORKERS MAY JOIN THEM. 'ASSAULTS IN THE STREETS. (bi TELECEAPH—PBESS ASSOCIATION—COrrEIQHT.) Sydney, July 24. The strike of tho tramway employoes has begun. It began before tho hour originally fixed (noon), owing to tho issuo of departmental instructions to tho effect that all ears were to be returned to the depots before II a.m., tho object of tho officials being to obviate the inconvenience of having tho cars loft standiug in the streets. Finding that some of tho men were being relieved from duty as tho cars reached tho depots, the Union loaders ordered the men out forthwith. Inspectors who took tho abandoned cars back to the sheds wero hooted and jeered as they did so.' Othorwiso everything was quiet during the morning. Aftor yesterday's interview between tho Commissioners and representatives of the Tramway. Employees' Union, a mass meeting of day-shift men was held.' The President announced tho decision of tho commissioners. Tho Chief Commissioner had promised to consider tho quostion of reorganising tho espionage system, but had firmly refused to reconsider the demand for tho reinstatement of Conductor Croucher, who was dismissed as tho result of the espionage systom. THE MEN CO-OPERATINC. Tho President of the Union, addressing the meeting, from which tho Press were excluded, whilo not advising a strike, said thero was only one courso open. If tho men decided to come out it, would riot bo on the question of tho espionage systom only, but on every question of importance affecting tramway men. Ho announced that the steam tram-drivers, powor-house men, and electrical, staff would bo with them in the event of a striko.

A ballot taken at a lato hour resulted in 1420 voting for and 32 against a strike at noon to-day. A meeting of the night-shift takes place this forenoon, but its decision cannot alter the position, as last night's vote for a strike was more than the whole number expected to voto. to-day. Although the men proposo to leave tho Crams wherever they happen to be at noon, they will stand by until' the department's officers arrive to take charge, and should the power-house men participate they will see that the cars aro run into the sheds beforo loaving their posts. ' STAFF PREPARATIONS. The Superintendent of Tramways declares that if an emergency arose the commissioners and staff wero fully prepared. Everything, so far as reasonably could be foreseen, had been provided for. • i .It is understood tho Railway Commissioners are propared to make a determined offort to keep the trams ■ running. It ia stated that during the last few days forty clerks and tramway officers have been receiving instructions as electric drivers, also that the old steam motors have been overhauled with a view to their possible use. OTHER UNIONS. The Tramway Employees' Union numbers several thousand .men, but not all are directly affected. Other unions affiliated on the Grand Council of Railway and Tramway Employees . aro .engine-drivors and firemen. The total membership is 9000. The Grand Council at its last meeting adopted a resolution, expressing sympathy with the tramway men, and agrooing to support them in their offorts to have tho espionage system abolished. The Trades and Labour Council also endorsed their action.

At a mooting of tlio night shift sootion of the tramway men, the dcoisiou to strike was unanimously endorsed.