Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-12-25

Action of the supreme Council of the
BOstOR Railway Wen.

BOSTON December 25-What threaten
ed to be the most extensive strike in the
history of this city was ayerted by the
ton of the Supreme Council of the Motor
men and Conductors Union. when. after a
protracted session. the strike was declared
off at 1880 a N. This morning traffic has
been resumed on all lines. and save for
scarcity of passengers, owing chiefly TO the
dizziness of a holiday, matters quickly
summed their usual aspect.
The following is the statement made by
the Supreme Council TO the public explain
ing its position:
ITO the public: The Supreme Council
was given power to negotiate for an agree
ment with the management of the West
End road. The council performed its duty,
and in doing found the president lacking
in authority to make any settlement with
out consulting his board of directors. lie
asked for further time, which was grahtcu.
The men repudiated this act and We. as
honorable men, have had to do one OF two
things-sanction the reputation of the men
and thus violate our agreement with the
president or refuse to be a silent party 10
a continuance of the strike.
I'VE chose the latter. and would keep our
agreement with President Little, as gentle
metI, at all hazards.
The Company's Position.
The West End Railway Company yester-
day afternoon issued a notice to employees,
stating that those who voluntarily absented
themselves from their duties would be con-
sidered as having Withdrawn from the ser
vice of the company. The railroad has is
sued a statement. which gives history of
the strike from President Little's point OF
view. In opening. mention is made OF con-
ferences between the union and the oflceTs
of the road. and of letter setting lorth
that President Little had no authority TO
sign the lS,1 agreement with the employees,
except by vote of the directors
Representatives of the employees stated
that they would recommend action IN ac-
cordance with its terms, and would notify
Mr. Little by 10 O'Clock what action was
agreed to. When 10 o'clock came they tele-
phoned for delay. A little before IL O'Clock
two members of the committee returned
and reported that a majority of the full
committee had agreed to in no way inter-
fere with the running of the cars, ana thaI
the matter should remain in aDey unti
December 30, pending the decision OF the
West End directors.
THE matter was supposed to be closed
for the night. The first intimation that
the West End officials received OF there
heine any trouble was a notice from the car
stations that the men were refusing 10
take out their cars this morning rms iore-
noon a part of the committee that was
present last night came to Mr. Llttie anu
said that they had attempted to carry out
their agreement in good faith They stated,
however that some OF the men couio not
be controlled.
..The West End officials feel that they
have done everything in their power 10
prevent a strike. They recognize fully
their responsibility and the Inconvenience
and loss that a strike causes to all the
pcople in Boston and suburbs. They are
willing to go to any proper length to avoid
such a calamity. They have never re-
fused to sign the agreement presented py
the union, but distinctly told the repre-
sentatives of the men that the matter
would be presented to the West End d.
rectors IL they would only give them time
to do 1t.
.sThe managers Of the West End railway
recognize and are not in the least unmind-
full OF the inconvenience and loss which the
present strike is occasioning, but they faH
to see how they are in any way TO blame
for the present situation. They dealt with
a properly authorized committee, and MADE
a fair and square agreement with them as
representing the employees, The agreement
was Immediately repudiated by the men
themselves, and general tie-up ensued.
at is not the West End officials who re-
fused to recognize the representatives OF
the uniors. but the employees OF the road
who repudiated the agreements OF tneir
own representatives..