Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-02-27
COMPROMISED.
The Trouble on the Cable
Railway.
IN AGREEMENT Is REACHED.
A Conference Between the Conduct
Ors, Gripmen and Superintendent
Robinson Ends Faverably.

The differences between the cable en-
ployees and Superintendent Robinson
were amicably settled yesterday after
noon and the prospect is that there will
be no strike. A species of compromise
was adopted, each side yielding in some
measure to the wishes of the other. It
appears that the trouble for the most
part grew out OF MISUNDERSTANDING, and
when these we're explained satisfactory
arrangement was easily reached.
Some time ago two organizations were
formed among the employees, one COM
posed of gripmen and the other of con-
ductors. The superintendent inquired
into their objects at the time and was in.
formed that they were merely intended
as mutual protective and beneficial or
CARNATIONS, which would not attempt to
dictate in any way to the company.
About two-thirds of the men became
members.
In the course of time, when matters
occurred where the men believed that
they had not been fairly dealt with by
the company, committee on grievances
was appointed, who came to confer with
Mr.. Robinson and to ask for different
action. From the indiscreet utterances
of one man. who it now appears was not
authorized to speak for the union, Mr..
Robinson was led to believe that there
was disposition on the part of the Or
ganization to interfere in an unwarrant-
able fashion in the affairs of the company,
A notice was thereupon posted at the
power houses, the text of which was
reprinted in the HERALD OF yesterday,
warning the men that they must with.
draw from the union or else give up their
places with the company. At the end of
the notice there was a paragraph in
which the Superintendent stated that if
there was any desire on the part of the
employees to form benevolent associa-
tion of any kind, the company would
gladly cooperate with taem.
The members of the Unions were not
e little excited by the promulgation of
this order, and meetings of the two
organizations were called to take place
carly yesterday morning. They began
at about o'clock and lasted until nearly
daylight. AS they are secret bodies
nothing is known definitely as to what
their action was, but from the results
which showed themselves in the course
OF the day, it appears that the men were
disposed to act in a dignifed and con.
servative fashion. A careful selection
was made of committees to confer with
Mr.. Robinson, the places being filed by
men who were opposed to acting -rashly
and without due consideration Of conss.
quences. On the one hand the men
were unwilling to give up the organiza-
tions which they had formed and on the
other they looked with disfavor on any
attempt to coerce the company by a
strike, which might terminate in a gem
eral discharge of all the men and the
filling of their places by the others whom
the company has been steadily training
to service.
To carry out his plan Mr.. Robinson
had a number of blanks printed, which
were to be signed by the men, in which
formal resignation was made from the
unions. These were given out, and a
number of them signed and returned.
A meeting of the local directors was held
in the morning, which it is said was
devoted only to engineering matters.
In the afternoon the conference took
place between Mr.. Robinson and the
committees appointed early in the morn
ing. The men explained that they had
been misrepresented by the individual
who had claimed to speak for them. and
as a proof of that fact declared that
he had been expelled from the organiza-
ton of which ne had been member.
In this way the misunderstanding, which
was the original cause of the difference.
was removed. and an agreement was
easily reached. 1t was decided to say
nothing for the present of the exact
terms OF this agreement. but it is under
stood that the result will be that what
ever organizations exist among the men
will be of sort that will cause the COM
pany no inconvenience.
1t should be said, to the decided credit
Of the men. that through the whole of
what might easily have become a serious
crisis, they acted in thoroughly careful
and conslderate manner, and that they
avoided expressing themselves in pub.
Tic IN way to increase what
ever discord prevailed. The trouble was
for the most part fomented by men who
have been discharged from the company.
The company has found it necessary to
enforce humber of rules to which ex.
ceptions are sometimes taken by the
men, but it does not appear that objec-
tions are centered upon anyone in par
ticular. Both the men and the company
seem to appreciate that it is
to the highest interest OF the
public in general that no clash
should occur which might decrease the
efficiency of the cable service. While il
cannot be said without reservation that
the trouble is certainly over, it is quite
probable that harmony will soon be
raotorad