The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-02

President Arno. Business Agent Vetter
and other members of the executive COM
mittee OF the Conductors and Motor
mems union had a conference today al
Labor Temple lasting nearly two hours
IL was a gathering of calm. cool and
conservative character. and the questions
at issue with the United Traction COM
pany were informally discussed, their
counsel. ex- Mayor Tiepke OF Pawtucket,
being present.
No decisive action was taken and as
20 a strike oil will depend upon the two
meetings now close at hand.
One will be held in the hall OF the team
drivers union on Market square at
o'clock this evening. and the other In
morning.
IL is possible that special committee
TO meet the street railway officials Will
be appointed, the executive committee
simply placing the facts before the mem
bers
Full and free discussion will be allowed
and upon the action of the members viii
depend whether n strike will be ordered
and a general tie-up OF the numerous
street car lines follow on Thursday morn
ing.
IL may be difficult TO overcome the
strong sentiment In that direction, but
due discretion, IL Is hoped. VIII prevail
THEIR ATTORNEY OPINION.
Hon. Henry f. Tiepke, when inter-
Viewed by News representative this az
ternoon said he was confident the execu-
tive committee OF the Conductors and
Motormen's union would act judiciously
and not hastily.
.'The members OF that committee are
reasonable men and 1 believe the same
OF the general body.
Furthermore. / think the company up
to last week was Inclined TO conform TO
The new law. II not then why did tney
send notices and have them posted in the
various barns and shops for a ten-hour
day In II hours and receive revised scheu-
ules In return?
"As understand. too, the company as-
sents 10 give ten hours pay for ten hours
work, but not as much as for II hours.
Now as 20 the consututionality OF tie
law which in my opinion cannot be ques-
toned. The United Traction company
and It's affiliations constitute corpora
tion chartered under the laws of the
state OF Rhode Island.
Compulsory legislation was enacted re-
curing tenders and vestibulod cars and
the hours OF labor
"Itis simply the exercise OF police power
Intended 10 inure TO public safety. for II
you make a mans hours OF labor reasona-
BILE, he not only exercises greater care
but proves a brighter and better employe.
The constitutionality. / finally believe.
must be admitted but. OF course. the
only way 10 have II definitely determines
n by bringing a case before the supreme
court for adjudication"
SITUATION IN PAwTUcKET.
The Pawtucket Street Railway company
Barely escaped a strike yesterday, and
while the grievance still exists II is prob
able that there will be no serious trouble
The entire force OF conductors and motor
men employed by the company feel that
an injustice has been done them and
The end Is not yet Upwards OF a week
since new time tables were posted in the
ear house and the ofiice OF the company.
ard the men were ordered 10 take GER
tstne cars. On Thursday last the notices
were taken down. but this was not given
serious thought by the men. for they as
sumed that changes were 20 be Nade IN
the tables
Saturday the notices were posted and
the men were told that they could
work ten hours day for lees pay, bu,
those who wished 60 work furrrr would
have the protection of the compauy
There was a good deal OF talk OF strike
and had II not been for the executive
committee of the Provtdsnce Association
Of street Railway Employees. with which
the Pawtucket men are afiilated. n wal
believed the men would have struck In,
executive committee urged that IL was
violation OF a state law and that IN,