New-York tribune., 1904-09-04
Belmont Grants Concessions to
TrQinmen after Tuo Conferences.

part Of the national and local officials OF the
hrotherhoods and association TO which the ele-
ya,ed railway employees belong and some slight
very slight-concessions, which do not affect
the main issue. on the part OF tie Interborough
F2ari6 Transit Company, II seems probable that
The elevated strike which was so threatening on
Friday. vii! be averted. There were two confer
ences Yesterday between the opposing parties.
,d at +,A close Of the second one President Au-
yust Belmont and General Manager Bryan went
n the Interborcugh co-npaay's Offices and put
the company's proposition in writing. It was
sent to the national officers Of the three associa
tione ty MESSENGER and Will be considered by
them at a conference to-day.
From several sources yesterday came rumors
that political pressure was being brought to
bear On Mr.. Belmont not 10 permit a strike at
this time. Among others was the report that
Governor Jennings Of Florida. a stanch Demo-
crat. spent The day at Esopus in conference
with Judge Parker To-day he expects 20 dine
with August Belmont. What the purpose Of the
Governors visit was could not be definitely
learned, but it was said that the subject Of the
conference was the present subway situation.
and that Governor Jennings had been sent as
q special envoy to August Belmont TO induce
him make terms with the strikers
The InterbOr0Ugh is not receding from Its de-
termination 10 pay cnIy s. for q ten-hour day
TO subway motormen. according TO information
given out by officials of the union last night 1t
is willing. however, to make concessions to the
elevated InotOrnen who desire to go into the
subway. They win set trips which will enable
them TO eat three meals day at home. They
will get 'swings'-as the time between trips is
known-that will not make ten hours work,
though their day viii De Of that length
In short the elevated motormen do not get
what they have been fighting for-an agreement
that all subway motormen shall receive wages
Of S. 30 a day for nine hours. So far any
concession 10 them is concerned, they are fully
satisfied &c stay on the elevated road. They are
getting SO 80 for nine hour day there. The
AmaIgarnated nlen get all me real concessions.
Whether they viii continue 20 stand by the
motormen remains TO be seen.
The members Of the Amalsamated Association
Of Street and Electric Railway Employees, TO
which the bulk Of the elevated men belong, have
been assured OF priority OF service in the trans-
fer from elevated to subway work. They had
cir ady gained similar promise. Slight in
creases viii be made in The wage scale. giving
the ticket choppers, agents and trainnen little
more for their days work
The InterboToTgh officials have received an
intimation from the officials Of the employees
that this proposition viii be acceptable. Until
Il has actually been accepted, however the
company viii go with Its preparations for
fighting q strike. The fi-emen and engineers
cannot accept the proposition without giving up
their main contention They desired to estab-
lish q precedent in the subway which could be
applied 10 the large terminals of steam rail-
roads which rapidly changing from steam
20 electricity II they could establish a 50 so
scale for motormea they would have entering
wedge In all future arguments with railroad
companies
On Friday one heard nothing but strike talk
about the Harlem headquarters Of the elevated
men. Ali negotiations were of. and there would
be no more conferences unless Mr.. Belmont
made the overtures. lie was TO have until Tues
DAY to think It over. Late in the evening it
was announced that, by a unanimous vote, tho
engineers ard f-er9en had voted 10 strike, and
that the other employees had voted to stand by
them
On the very tail OF this declaration OF defiance
came sudden change OF front. The national
officers. who have The power TO call the strike,
hsd rot been in sessicn long yesterday before
messenger WIS dispatched to August Belmont
ask ng for immediate conference.
IL the change Of front Of the employees there
hanes tale There are three prime reasons
fer it, according 70 those who in close touch
with the situation IKE first Is the alleged oppo-
si;loE OF President William D. M0hon, OF the
ANA CANA tea Association, who is not certain
ulaL he wants to risk this jobs Of his members
N supporting the motocrlen. Then the men
have learned that TIE Interbcrough company IS
much better prepared to operate trains without
'hesF help than they expected ana that there Is
some doGbt even II they went out In force, that
me te-up would be effective for any considerable
length Of time. The third reason IS that the
nactormen MD not vote unanimously In favor OF
The strike
Aishon. who reached the city late Friday night
Hon Detroit. was lot called into conference in
ae early days Of the struggle. and II is said that
As IS so:ns what dispIeased over the way the 10
ee' of1cers oe the A,laI Iganiated have conducted
tAihss. 1t is SAID thai President AIahon soon
@-'eF he went into conference with the national
S"eeFs Of the hrenen and engineers at Horton
"l 40. 10 East One-hundTe ed and swenty-
-teh-s, yesterday morning. Insisted another
N'ierence with Mr. Belmont.
Srand Chief Stone Of TIE engineers explained
SAG change Of attitude IN this way:
We have osked for this conference IN hope Of
reaching settlement without 2 fight We are
'e t1r7id 10 face the Issue, but do not wish to
'Ds1clze or interests unless It is absolutely
hecsssary.'
-. "'si"'s q the three unions, TO the number OF
-sFa' Including tbs four national officers and
iessl presidents. Ilet AZ Tlirty-fourth-st.
<aFk-a"e lust before g o'clock and went fn
Continued TENT, page.
Asst iss.'Ahtitul Erontenhc Hotel rrontenac ~ Y.