The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-21
SUBWAY STRIKERS CUT TERMS
AND THE BROOkLYN LABORERS
GO RACK TO WORK.
The snbway's Italians VIII Toll for Sis
Day Now. II They Can Get u-COn.
tractors Say They WOn't-1here Are
Plenty OF Men Anxious to Take Old Pay.

The Italian subway laborers who are
out on strike decided yesterday at meetings
OF their union to send u committee to-day
to the contractors, offering to go back to
work for 81 rs for an eight hour day. This
is reduction of % cents from their original
demand of 81, which they said they would
get If they had to eat grass before returning
to their Jobs. They were getting 81 So
"the highest wages paid to day laborers
anywhere under the SUM- John B. McDon-
aid says.
On behalf of the contractors It was de-
clared that such an offer could not possibly
be entertained, and that the committee,
which President Pacelli Of the union Is to
head, would have it's journey for its pains.
Since the laborers rejected arbitration Of
their demands with the possibility Of re-
ceiving slight increase, the contractors
have been going ahead and filling their
laces and the chances are that the strikers
won't get anything at all now:
William Barclay Parsons. chief engineer
of the subway, said yesterday that on a
personal inspection trip he had found that
out OF 5000 laborers of all classes now re-
quired on the job 5000 We're at work.
.New men," said he, ARE fast being EN-
ployed and no more concern is felt. Two
weeks is the most that the work has been
put back by the strike
He declared the reports that dynamite
has been stolen, presumably by strikers
absurd.
Holbrook, Cabot L DAILY and several
other contractors had full force yester-
day for the first time since the strike;
The Degnon-McLean company reported
that It had 500 men out of 1900 needed.
There were added several gangs Of negroes
secured through agencies in the South.
col IN ha ont a
The strikers had been firm In their in
tention to hold out, but their troubles took
on new phase yesterday. when the Exoa-
vators' Union in Brooklyn and Queens
the old rates. The leaders found that
their men were taking back the places
they had left at any old wages. Apparently
this filled the subway laborers with a fear
that there might be wholesale rush for
their places
The Brooklyn men have another e1pla-
nation Of their surrender. Edison Law
renee, president Of the union. made this
announcement in explanation OF the sur
render of the men:
'The strike on the part Of our union was
entirely successful up to the 18th inst. when
it was discovered that the smashed New
York union was sending many OF its mem
bers to Brooklyn to take the places left
vacant by our members, thereby injuring,
destroying and removing the splendid
chances OF our winning the strike.
This unexpected and contemplate move
on the part Of the New York union came so
suddenly that the matter was Immediately
investigated by some Of our delegates and
found to be true, whereupon conformation
and revenge seized our members, who were
extremely anxious to go over to New YORK
at once and take the places Of the New York
men to the number Of about 5000.
The subway contractors say they have
been getting quite a number OF Italians
from Brooklyn in the last few days.
The strikers here were much .quieter
yesterday, but the police still maintained
a guard where excavating was done.