The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-02
TEE CHEAP TRANSIT PROBLEM.
Strike Among the Drivers on the Belt Railroad
Lins-Thsy Don't Wont to Work Eighteen
Hours Out Of Twenty-four Bosses"
and Employees Refuse to surren-
6er-The Five Cent Farea

One result OF the reduction OF city car fare proves
10 De strike among the drivers OF the eastern sec
ton Of the Belt line running along the East river
side OF the city. II would as n the oicals al
the helm OF anars had been put TO their wits end
IN endeavoring to make up, through right or wrong
for the enormous deficiency OF one-sixth Of their
revenues by the lowering OF the fare. Accordingly
tie PRIZES to be paid on the road from the Battery
along the East river for carrying packages was
sp,sAea from six 10 ten cents and for trunks fifteen
cents stil there would be terrible vacuum In the
money bag, anu 1t was resolved upon TO make the
drivers and conductors bear some OF the burden.
on Friday night notice was posted on the time
table TO the effect that all the drivers running from
the Battery street should make three
additional trips from the latter place to the Central
Park In the course OF the day. The workmen looked
astounded and Immediately set their heads TO-
gather-thirtyfour in nnmber-tO combat those
excessesn Previously the drivers ran six trips du-
rlIg fourteen hours and half and were compelled
to make up Tor all delays OccasiOned by fires, &C.
The proposition OF the onicials would prOl0ng
their days labor 10 seventeen and hall hours. The
men concluded TO remain on hand during the seven
teeAnours and half IN case they should be relieved
each time their respective cars should leave for the
Park, so that they might have time 10 take dinner
and rest at intervals while they should do much
work for the company as before This big distinc-
ton made by the drivers would make no difference
aud bring no profits to the treasury, hence the offer
fifteen hours a day, but the authorities were yet
memorable. Without any definite arrangement
the cars commenced running as usual yester-
day morning through the inf uence OF Mr.. Terry,
the superintendent, and the drivers gave warning
that they should be ION the gr0und' for seventeen
hours, but would expect to be relieved as they had
proposed. When the eleven O'Clock car having left the
Battery arrived at Thirysixth street the driver de
manded substitute. This was refused, ana forth
with the horses were tied up and the car put aside.
One by one the other drivers followed suit, and no
cars have been running on the line since. Many
persons were disappointed In the afternoon, and The
'starter at the Battery assured the p0stuants for
accommodation IN the First avenue cars that the
road was blocked up somewhere.
Last evening 4 committee OF three was appointed
by the drivers at their rendezvous In Mr. Burns
STORE near The depot 10 wait on Mr.. Tucker and re-
new their proposals. After waiting for some hours
near the residence OF the president they were in
formed, semi-0Iicialy, that they might rs well re-
tire TIL they should acquiesce in the cOmpanys
demand. Ii II YET unknown which party viii hold
out the longer, but u Is not improbable that the
workmen will yield FIRST inasmuch as the company
Will not run a car for four weeks If they deem 1t
necessary.