New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-01
MAYOR GRANT AND THE STRIKERS.
THEY ASK HIM TO ACT AS MEDIATOR BE-
TWEEN THE MEN AND THE RAILROADS.&C.

TRATIoN GIVES UP TRY i
ING TO SECURE PEACE
An atmosphere of suppressed excitement tfnged
with gloominess pervaded the headquarters Of the
strikers yesterday, although expressions Of con.
fdence Of ultimate victory could be frequently
heard. The majority of the men. however. began
to realize that the fight was ON unequal one, and
that any efforts on their part would only delay the
inevitable. but in, spite Of this they showed
dogged determination to keep up the contest
In the densely-crowded halls where they met
the men freely spoke their minds criticisms Of the
police being the most frequent The latter's action
in doing laborers' work for the compsnies,n
such as clearing the tracks of distractions, even
when there was nc intent TO run . car. Was con.
sidered not only outrageous. bat unlawful the men
asserting that the city paid the police to protect
life and property, and not to work for any cor.
poration. The men also freely expressed their
opinion that the police had been subsidized and
pointed to the fact that the bill to the
Fourth Avenue Railway Company for dinners "a
the police amounted on Wednesday to s243 80
without counting cigars.
STILL SEEKING ARBITRATION.
Tho District Executive Board held several
secret sessions throughout the day, and rumon
were rife as to the schemes which were being
panies Master Workman James H. Magee worked
hard all day to bring about some method tha,
would result in conference between the opposing
forces and so end the strike the men having
pledged themselves to abide by the decision Of ans
committee acceptable to both sides.
Mayor Grant received yesterday a second visit
since the strike began from Master Workman
Mage. who was accompanied by several Eighth
ave- business men who have been inconvenience
by the strike. Among them were Edward
0'Flaherty, of Mcfarland & OFlaherty, tho
Eighth-ave. dry-goods firm; p Clarke, p. F.
Glennon. and others doing business in the neigh
borhood of the Egbth-ave stables. Mr. Magcs
urged the Mayor 10 accept the position of medi-
ator between the railway companies and their
striking employees. He thought that il the Mayor
would undertake this Office. as Mayor Whitney
did in Brooklyn couple of years ago. the stziks
might be over In an hour
Mr.. Grant replied that no one was more anxious
than he was TO see the present troubles brought
to q speedy and amicable close, but that he could
not undertake to assume the duties which the
State Board of Arbitration was especially Gro
ated to perform. He referred to the fact, also
that only one side 10 the controversy asked his
mediation. He would surely not feel justified
in interference with the affairs of the companies
against their desire.
WOULD NOT ADVISE THE MAYOR
Immediately on receiving this reply
from the Mayor. Mr. Magee, with Secre-
tary Glennon went TO the Murray Hill Hotel and
saw Chairman Purcell and Commissioner Robert
son. Of the State Board of Arbitration. Mr.
Magee asked them to request the Mayor to act
as mediator Later Chairman Purcell sent .
message to Mr. Magec TO the effect that it would
be out Of place for the Board to suggest any
course of action to the Mayor of the city, an
official who understood his own business. AZ
the same time. said Mr.. Purcell, the Board was
willing to receive any suggestions which Mayor
Grant might mako to it in connection with ths
settlement Of the strike, and was ready TO lend ia
services in securing an amicable settlement OF ths
difficulty. Personally, Chairman Purcell wouh
SO far as he was able to Judge there was noc AMI
prospect OF a settlement, so long as It inyolyet
any dealings with the Executive Commlttee
District Assembly No. 225.
THE BOARD HAD DONE ALL THAT 1T COULD
Early in the morning the Board aad sent q reply
to Mr. Magee's lettel of Wednesday asking ths
Board to renew It's efforts TO secure arbitatjos
with the companies The letter informed Hr
Magee that the Board had performed all its Office
under the law and was satisfied that the chie
contention OF the companies was against the rscoa
milton of the Executive Board Of District Assemble
No 226 as party TO the controversy Thu
Board also said that the companies were only
willing 10 negotiate each with its own men, an(
that unless they were met on this ground there dN
not appear TO be any prospect OF q settlement.
After receiving this Mr. Mngce wrote TO Mayo
Grant, saying that he had called on the Stat
Board OF Arbitration and informed it CT tho May
ors willingness to cooperate with u In any man
ner IL would PROPOSE and that the Commissioner
had replied that they had been In this city az
the week, and had exhausted every effort wiu
the authorities Of the railroad companies to brinj
about an nmicable settlement and. having failed
Jon TO offer the Mayor any suggestion. but thai
4 the Mayor desired the cooperation Of the Boar
N any way and would say SO in writing tn
hat he left the whole matter in the Mayorj
hands. trusting that he would see how tmQorte9