New-York tribune., 1903-03-07
SEEK ARBITRATION.
Purpose of Organizing EleUated
mpLoyes-Many applicants.

Rein Orr, a Western representative or the
Amalgamated Association of Street Railway
Employees, came to this city yesterday and had
conference at the Ashland House with FTesl-
dent Mahon of the association. Mr.. Mahon,
when seen, seemed much annoyed at the talk OF
strike and said that nothing could be further
from the minds of the organizers OF the new
union.
"A temporary board of officers has been
elected" he said. THE grievances have been
discussed. After the Manhattan men have been
fully organized It will be time enough for JEem
to submit grievances. If they have any. Arbi-
tration must be tried first before any strike
could be ordered"
Mr. Mahon said that the association had two
lessons which would make it chary about going
into strikes One was a strike in Cleveland
four years ago. and the other strike IN 81
Louis three years ago. If the union won a vic
tory in either case, he said, the fewer such VIC
tories the better The union had profted by its
experiences and now aimed at aroltrduoh OA
labor disputes.
I'VE have yearly business agreements with
several Chicago roads," he continued, land are
paving the way for agreements with two more.
Senator Hanna's railways in Cleveland are
working under Of these annual agreements
and Senator Hanna Is one of our stanch 1rienos-
He agrees with us that arbitration is better tnan
strikes"
Herman Robinson, general organizer Of the
American Federation of Labor, who returned
from Albany yesterday. denied that he had been
there for the purpose of Incorporating the new
union In reference to the surface railroad men
he said:
IF the organization of the elevated railroad
men is successful it may encourage the surface
railroad men to organize. Thus far no steps
toward organization of the surface railroad men
have been taken, except that the men are tax
ing among themselves of doing so. No strike Is
contemplated"
Large numbers Of applicants for places ap-
peared yesterday at the office of the Manhattan
Railway Company, in the Western Union bullo-
ing the line in the morning hours extending the
length of the main hall and out into broadway
and also down the side stairway INTO Dey-st'
Many of these hundreds of men had come mere
from other cities. in the belief that seneral
strike was impending. Mr.. GrOpe, Fice-Presi-
dent Sktt's secretary, said:
We are employing new men all the time in
anticiDation of increasing our force. because
Of the new schedule and the addItlohdl running
of trains we are required TO have more men
We have received no demands and no com
plants from employees OF the roau, @ H. Hor mas "'''
committee representing them come mere
A meeting of the officers of the new organiza-
tion of elevated railroad employees was held last
night behind closed doors at Civic Hail. NO 10
East Observation-Disclosures. where they were IN
structed in their duties by President Mahon'
Rezin Orr and Herman Robinson. The names
of the officers were not made public
When Mr. Robinson was seen later ne repeated
his assertion that no strike was in contemplation
He said that an executive committee would De
appointed consisting of representatives OF the
five groups of employees, namely. motormen. con-
ductors guards. station agents and s"l''hineH-
In reference tn the statement ol
Vreeland that the employees Oh the Nle'io 'ioPOii'0''
Street Railway Company had already protec-
+i,o and benevolent association, he said this as
sociation had some objectionable features One
Of these was that the officials OF the company
we're eligible as officers Of the association