New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-09
ALL TO c. r.
Definite 4ction Expected By Con-
tractors at Tomorrow s Meet1ng.

The Rockmen and Excavators' Union, to
which many of the Italians who have been en-
ployed in subway work belong held meeting
last evening in Harlem and voted to prolong the
strike Indefinitely if the demand for increased
wages is not granted The strikers declared
that they would stay out for six months II
necessary.
The subway contractors will not wait much
longer for laborers. If the four thousand Itai-
lians who are on strike do not retLrn 20 Work
in the subway Monday other labocers VIII
be employed in their places 1t is probable that
a few thousand negroes will be brought 70 the
city from the South to take the places on trle
Italians The contractors believe that the po-
lice will protect the negroes ard prevent the
strikers from interfering with the subway work
''I do not think do anything until az
ter the Central Federated Union holds us meet
ing on Sunday John B. Mcdonald said yes
terday TO a Tribune reporter Al cur con-
ference few days ago there was an agreement
that the two committees should undertake az
bitration. and that pending arbitration the men
should go back to work. 1t seems that the men
are unwilling to go back before there is agree
rnent TO their demands We shall have TO wait
for report from the delegates 10 the Central
Federated Union on the situation There can
be no report until the organization has h''O Its
meeting on Sunday.
nWill the contractors import laborars from
the South if the Italian Iabo-ers continue on
striker" was asked
"A great public work like the subway must
not be delayed much longer" Mr.. Mcdonald
repIied. "The people of the city are not willing
to have the work delayed. The condition Of the
labor market does not warrant the contractors
in permitting long delay There are plenty of
Ia borers to be had at the good wages paid by
the contractors The arrangements for the set
tlement of the strike are largely in the hands or
the Central Federated Union, but If the strikers
will not permit the union TO arbitrate we shall
have to go into the la Dor market for more men.
The sub-contractors will have to get the men.
It will be for them to decide about that"
At last nights meeting of the officers ana
representatives of the Rockmen and Excavators
IJnion held at the Free Society Hall. Nos 3oo
and 80 East nd-thirteenth-st, it
was decided bv unanimous vote to prolong the
strike for six months or longer, if necessary, 70
obtain the demands.
President Pacce suggested a SIX mohths
holdout 20 learn what the delegates thought OF
such long strike. 1t was the sense OF every
delegate and officer that six months Woulo iioI
be too long for the men to hold out 1heee
comprised between fifty and sixty men, one-hal
being presidents and secretaries OF tne Naiiou9
branches. These officials form what is caIieo
49,
on all measures for the strikers 4
ona of the officers declared that number or
wealthy Italians who are heartily in league WIN
the mon have assured the officers that they
will ~ necessary sell their furniture to con-
tribute to the support Of the strikers
There will he several meetings to-day the
first af a. m. and the second at 4 p m ana
third at p. m. Each of these meeting "ii'
held in the hall at No. 2,229 F1rst-aVe'
HERMAN Robinson organizer for the Central
Federated Union, said yesterday that II vas
moi true that the Italian laborers IN the suo""S
had refused to deal with the contractors lhloueH
the federation >,
..They relv on the Central Federated Chloh
he said but they are not willing 10 go oack 10
work pending arbitration Ihey Hail III
Grievances settled before they go BACK 10 "oIh;
What tne position of the Central federdteu
Trnion will be in the future respecting the az 10.
of the Italians cannot De deIer.l,lileo1 u -
meeting of the federation on ouhudy ,,as
Thomas Z. Crimmns, large coitl 49, =.
+s-day- eCpressed the opinion that the strike OF
the laborers and rocknen was not iedr ils ei ~
He said that the Italians did not seem 10 ps
willing to try to ADJUST lneiI - .l,,+ for
their employers, put lh'ei'
their demands 4,,,,x tb.+ aa
Mr. Crimmins gave out a CIR re - T Inn
been sent by the italian union 10 every itailai eI
ahorer in the city IL was largely q Haue
a;r,st ..bossisn1 and il declared that the Ia
hSrars conId get better pay through orgaflzd-
ton. -, .,,;,.. y ,,esterdav
,rlo1,ce I'ei nrevented Italians from ioite9lng
- tba work Occasionally a Few Strikers
w,onld get near the subway ana yen al s ,ns
sorgr,er Who were doing WORK as idDoiefS' eA.
49,, a noIcernan would make them move OH;
49, fara many idle men in Little Italy IN
Harlem. They seemed TO enjoy idleness more
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