San Francisco Streetcar Strike Averted
The threatened strike of street-car operatives in San Francisco has been averted, the men having agreed to the final proposition of the company. The agreement is to continue for one year. In case a strike had been ordered, the company had intended to ask that a receiver be appointed by the government. This would have brought in government troops for the protection of the property and to insure the operation of the various lines in safety. They had also decided not to begin operating cars until eight o'clock in the morning. This would have affected workmen and workwomen in all parts of the city, who, generally, must ride long distances in order to get to their work. This would probably have resulted in bringing the strike to an end very soon, or in causing other strikes for the purpose of attempting to bring the company to terms through the tying up of all business operations in San Francisco. There is no doubt also that it would have increased the hatred of labor organizations for the employer. A German archeological company working on the ruins of ancient Babylon reports that it has just made a discovery of the greatest historical interest in the valley of the Tigris, where for some years it has been busy in making excavations. It has unearthed five palaces and a large temple, in but a slightly-damaged condition, which will permit the historian to construct and locate the principal events in the reign of Sardanapalus, of whose history very little is known, and this not substantiated by any proof. One of the palaces is literally covered with inscriptions describing the glorious reign of that famous king of Assyria. Among the many interesting finds made there is a portrait of this king in solid stone. The British expedition in Tibet has been met by another force of Tibetans. They opposed the passage of the expedition and an engagement followed, in which it is reported that 250 Tibetans were killed, the British loss being practically nothing, only two men being wounded. The expedition continues to press on toward the sacred city. England seems to be making the most of her opportunity to gain a predominating influence in the “closed country.” The Peruvian Government has decided to defend its claim to the disputed territory between Peru and Brazil. Troops and guns have been ordered to the disputed territory to drive out any troops of Brazil now there and to defend the territory against any invasion of Brazilian troops. This is regarded as a war measure, and will probably lead to war with Brazil, as it is understood that her troops are now in the territory. A decision of considerable interest in the labor and capital dispute has just been rendered by the Supreme Court of Kansas. Kansas had a law which prohibited an employer from discharging an employee because of his belonging to a labor organization. A trial was made recently of the constitutionality of the law, and the Supreme Court has declared it unconstitutional. The strike of the Santa Fe machinists and helpers continues to extend. The company has begun to supply the places of the strikers with machinists from other parts of the country, and has secured a sweeping injunction against interference from the workmen. The medical examiner for the street-cleaning departments of New York reports that one-fifth of the street sweepers of New York are now affected with tuberculosis, as a result of their occupation. There is great danger in breathing street dust. The Hamburg-American Steamship Company has given an order for the building of a 35,000-ton Atlantic liner. This will be 14,000 tons larger than the Cedric, the greatest vessel now afloat. It will measure 715 feet in length.