The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-07
The SUBWAY AT A STANDSTILL
SOME PROSPECT, THOUGH. or
WORK BEING RESUMED SOON.
Desnon.McLcan COmpany's Mead Agrees
TO Como Back Into the Arbit ration
Fold With the Other Cont ract Ors--SO
Now It's Up 10 the Lab0rers to Return.

Now It's Up 10 the Lab0rers 10 Return.
There was better prospect yesterday for a
general resumption Of work on the subway
as result Of the agreement Of the Central
Federated Union to arbitrate the strike
Of the subway laborers. The differences
existing between Michael j. Degnon, head
of the Degnon- Mclean Company, and his
associates in the Subway Contractors As
ISOLATION. which threatened to promote
trouble in view of The fact that Mr.. Degnon s
company employs more than SO per cent.
of the striking laborers, were settled yes
terday. according to a statement made at
the Office Of John B. Mcdonald.
That Mr.. Degnon's defiance of Tuesday.
when he declared that he would not grant
the demands of his laborers and If they did
not return to work soon would fill their
places with negroes, constituted serious
cloud in the general situation was evidenced
yesterday by the haste with which con-
ference was arranged between MIR. McDon-
aid and Mr. Degnon.
Mr.. Mcdonald sent a representative to
I have long talk with Mr. Degnon. That
resulted in Mr.. Degnon having long talk
with Mr. Mcdonald later in the latter's
office. The uPshot Of the conferences was
that the statement was made that Mr..
Degnon had agreed to come back in the
fold, and would abide by any agreement
made by the association. For his part Mr.
Degnon refused to say anything.
1t was learned yesterday that Mr.. Deg
mons defiant attitude was the result of a
recent meeting Of the association, at which
something was said that Mr.. Degnon didn't
like. 1t was declared yesterday by man
n a n tat
this had nothing to do with the labor situa-
ton. 1t was remark made by another
contractor. which Mr.. Degnon regarded as
personal, and which he also regarded as
meeting, and announced his intention of
cutting loose from the other contractors
and doing things to suit himself. That is
the way McMullen & Mclean who have
Harlem section, have done from the first.
Mr. De,gnon, however, Joined the asso-
citation when it was formed and was party
to the agreement made with the Central
Federated Union. This agreement, signed
by all but McMullen & Mclean. was that
in the event Of any dispute with any Of the
workers on the subway who were mem
bers of the c, F. u, the differences were to
be arbitrated by standing committee,
and that pending such settlement the men
were to remain at work. This is the agree
ment which the committee of the Central
Federated Union agreed to adhere to on
laborers' union party to it.
Mr.. Degnon,' said repres entative of
Mr. Mcdonald yesterday, will not import
any negroes, but will act with the other
contractors in standing by their part of
the agreement and being willing to arbi-
trate." 1t has been| the rule Of the asso-
citation of sub-contractors right along to
refrain from acting in a hostile manner
toward the unions, Mr.. Degnon gave the
idea on Tuesday that he was tired Of such
an attitude. His refusal TO Join with the
other contractors might have resulted
in sympathetic strikes and all sorts OF
retaliatory measures. affecting the entire
work
According to Herman Robinson. or
ganizer of the Italian laborers' union, the
executive board of the union must first
consider the proposition about returning
to work pending arbitration, and a. this
will be done to-day, ii will be Saturday
before work can be resumed Mr. Robin
son declared that all that the committee
Of the central body had done was to advise
the laborers to go back. 1t is believed
that they will do so.
Practically no work was done on the
subway yesterday, every branch being
tied up by the strike Outside OF the sub
way there was idleness, too. in most ex-
cavations. The contractors organization
of Greater New York has been asked by the
Central Federated Union to agree to ar
bitrate as the subway contractors have.
but no reply has been received