The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-11-18
WHBUR'S ULTIMATTN.
Lehigh Valleys President win
Net Meet the Committee.
WILL TREAT ONLY WITH employees

Tho Spokesman OF the Grievance Gem
mittes Says the Controversy In on aI
Matter of Principle, and Intimatos That
There May be . Fight.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 1s-President VIII
bur, of the Lehigh Valley, has thrown
down the gauntlet to the men who are
trying TO adjust the differences between
the company and its employees. He re-
fuses to confer with them upon the ground
that the members of the committee are
not employees Of the Lehigh Valley rail
road, and thst he will deal directly with
the employees, and no one else For more
than a month the grievance committee
have been in session In Bethlehem and
Philadelphia discussing the complaints Of
the company and trying to bring about a
conference with the railroad magnates
Letters were addressed to Acting Manager
Voorhees,, but to only one of them did he
vouchsafe any reply. This was In answer
to communication from the committee
dated Nov. Q, and in his reply Mr.. Voor-
hees fatty refused to meet the members Of
the committee upon the same ground as
that now taken by President Wilbur.
Finding that to remain in Bethlehem was
useless the members of the grievance com
mittee came to this city, and for the past
week have been in conference at the Blng-
ham house. The result of this conference
wns letter TO President Wilbur, which
was handed to him on Monday night
with request for an immediate answer
This letter recited the grievances of the
men, and concludes with the following
appeal:
I'VE are in possession of the feelings Of
the men by their own expression ovei
their own signatures, and in order tt
show that all reasonable steps have beer
taken to amicably adjust the differences
which exist, and to continue the friendl,
relations which have heretofore existed
we make final appeal to you, as TIL
president of the Lehigh Valley Railroa,
company, to grant US an interview a
your convenience, for the purpose, II pos
sible, OF taking up their differences 10
adjustment"
This letter was signed by Abb. Young
son, of the Brotherhood of Locomotiv
Engineers; A. ID. Thurston, Order of Rail
road Trainmen; John L. X. Hannahar
Locomotive Firemen; C. II. wilkins, Oh
der of Railroad Clerks, and s. ID. Wilkir
I son, of the Brotherhood of Railway Telt
: graphers.
Last evening President Wilbur sent tn
following reply:
"The interviews referred to as havin
been had during June and July last wer
with the officers of the Philadelphia an
Reading Railroad company, which at tina
time was the lessee of our road. The pc
icy of the management of the Lehigh Va
) ley Railroad company has always been
!, deal directly and only with its employs
y a. - 4. a.
general superintendent and the actin
general manager to applications for inte
views. They meet my approval, and al
hereby confirmed"
1t is understood that the position take
!, by President Wilbur and General MAJ
= ager voorhees, Is the same as that a
sumed by the latter during the strike q
the New York Central railroad when M
: voorhees, was in control there. At tn,
time Fourth Vice President Webb an
Mr.. Voorhees, declined to confer with al
person not actually in the employ Of IL
}. New York Central railroad. Mr.. Woo
hees is believed to be opposed to labor @
7 CARNATIONS In general, and his antipath
to labor leaders is well known.
When President wilbur's letter was
ceived IN informal consultation was he
at the Bingham House among the lab
officials who represent the employees.
4 c. IL. wilkins, Of Chicago, of the Ord
70 of Railroad Clerks, who 10 spokesman 4
n the body, In answer to questions rega-
81 ing the contents Of the letter and the pi
able action that would be taken upon
said:
"Inasmuch as President Wilbur e'
IDENTIFY receded from the position he tor
IN In August, there are only two things
e. us to do-either accept the situation as
y, exists or fight. viii we fight' Well, tn
a. is question that the men must answ
d for themselves. In vote recently tax,
e among the 1910 employees Of the Lehis
81 Valley road, 1,7i5 of them voted to do
Orl certain thing While we cannot order
So strike, and while there is not one cent
y, !, money at stake, it would be-premature
IS say what will be done. The whole Is o.
q, of principle, and think we will make
M effort to have that principle respected"