Downtown in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
William Green, Labor Leader / The Columbus Streetcar Strike, 1910
William Green
Labor Leader
A native of Coshocton County, William Green (1870-1932) began his working life as a coal miner at age 16 and rose rapidly in the leadership of the United Mine Workers of America. Twice elected to the Ohio Senate, Green served as president pro tempore during his second term. He was instrumental in enacting Ohio's first worker's compensation law in 1912, at a time when progressive-era ideals conflicted with an impersonal industrial system where workers enjoyed few rights and little security. Green, one of the outstanding American trade union leaders of the twentieth century, served as president of the American Federation of Labor from 1924 until his death in 1952.
The Columbus Streetcar Strike, 1910
In one of the most violent strikes against a public utility in the United States, members of the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees (AASERE) struck the Columbus Railway and Light Company for higher wages and union recognition on April 29, 1910. Violence flared after the company fired several union employees, and escalated with the arrival of 450 guards and strikebreakers from Cleveland. For ten weeks, more than 200 streetcars were idled and 24 were destroyed. More than 100 strikebreakers were injured. In July, the National Guard restored peace, but the strike did not subside until October 18, without recognition for the union. Streetcar strikes were common in many cities from 1890 until World War I; other strikes had occurred in Columbus in 1890 and 1892.
Erected 2003 by The Ohio Bicentennial Commission, Columbus-Franklin County AFL-CIO, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 88-25.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1890.
Location. 39° 57.868′ N, 83° 0.198′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Long Street (U.S. 33) and Front Street, on the right when traveling east on Long Street. Marker is in Harry E. Richter Workers Memorial Park near intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus OH 43215, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Columbia Building (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Location of a children's park and fountain (about 700 feet away); USS Columbus (about 700 feet away); Pickaweekee (about 700 feet away); Spanish War Veterans Memorial (about 800 feet away); The First Telephone Central Office in Columbus Ohio (about 800 feet away); Labor & Workers Memorial (about 800 feet away); Big Branch Coal Mines Memorial (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
More about this marker. According to the list provided by the Ohio Historical Society, this should be marker 89-25.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,272 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 25, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on July 3, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.