New-York tribune., 1904-09-07
COMPROMISE AVERTS l. STRIKE
SUBWAY MOTORMEN TO GET $3.50 FOR TEN HOUR
WORKD4Y-THREE YEAR AGREEMENT
Final Reached after Long and Stormy Conference august
BeImonts Otfce-Papers To Be Signed To-day.

1T is all settled. The boys get their So so a
day and work ten hours"
This terse statement. made at Z 80 o'clock last
night by E. P. Bryan. vice-president of the
Iuterborough Rapid Transit Company, an
nounced the settlement Of the difficulties be-
tween the elevated employees Over the scale OF
wages to be paid subway motormen. 1t meant
that the danger OF tie-up of the entire elevated
system OF Manhattan. which has hung like a
threatening cloud for more than week, was
averted II meant that organized labor. with
The aid OF political and other timely influences.
had won decided victory over one of the most
powerful municipal transportation corporations.
II meant that the Tnofornen had proved their
claim 10 skilled workmanship that could not be
supplied by the ordinary type Of strikebreaker-
This is the fourth threatened elevated strike
10 be sverted by compromise at the last ditch
within two years and IL would that neither
the officials OF the road nor the leaders OF the
thor organizations representing the employees
are willing to brave the storm of public indigna-
Ton that would he aroused al the tie-up Of the
eievsted system.
sufy. 1902 following the change in Janu-
sry OF the motive power on the elevated from
steam to electricity. the engineers, having be-
come lnotornlen, demanded nine hour day. II
vas refused, and Grand Chief Arthur Of the
engineers and the head Of the frenen, came
here to take charge of the negotiations. A
strike Nss threatened. but compromise where
l'y the men gained practically a nine hour day
through the adjustment OF swings" was agreed
10 in August.
In October. 1902, the elevated road officials put
all the motormen through physical examina-
tion, the result Of which several were dropped.
The notormen thereupon demanded a less Sc
-s,,- a.
on TO enforce the demand A strike was voted
for, but again a compromise agreement averted
81.
In March ot the same year the employees ex-
elusive Of the motormen. hitherto unorganized,
formed branch Of the Amalgamated Associa-
tion and asked for higher pay and nine hour
day. The wage demand was adjusted but
refusal 10 give the nine hour day brought on
vote for strike in April. Negotiations were
continued, however, and compromise averted
tie-up.
II was said after the conference that the eIe-
Nated men would have the first choice of subway
jobs This was much mooted question as the
company had been hiring men TO run the sui
way cars. The men had had opportunity TO ap-
ply for places. but had neglected 10 do so. II
VAS said that the company Will give all pref
erences TO the elevated road men who want
places in the subway
FIVE HOUR CONFERENCE.
II took MIR. Bryan less than half a minute 10
tell the reporters who we're waiting that there
Was no danger OF strike. But that statement
was made possible only by a conference At
august Bemonts banking house. No. 10
Broadway, which lasted fully five hours among
the company officials the employees and the
heads Of their national organizations. IT was an
exciting conference. a conference Of loud words
and at times angry gestures Almost until the
very end Il looked as If there would be no com
promise and that the meeting would end in
strike order
The lighting for the company was done bv
Ar. Bryan and General Superintendent Hedlev
who has fought elevated strikes in Chicago II
y said they favored standing firm on the wage
question and testing the elaborate strkebreak-
ing arrangement which they have worked night
and day TO perfect Finally. when he became
convinced that the men would not yield without
bitter struggle # is said Mr.. Belmont eau
iioasly brought forward the compromise which
Was adopted. He offered them the wages they
demanded If they would accept the eon,psny's
hours
The conference had been in session so long
i7ai il was impossible TO put the agreement in
'frii!ng. Il will be prepared IN all It's details
oF AIR. Bryan to-day. and there Will be a meet
Ing of the company officials and employees at
The eOmpany's Office in the Park Row Building
early this afternoon at which it will be finally
ratified and signed. Both the national officers
o. the labor organizations and the company offi-
cials declare that there will be no hitch and that
al chance OF strike has passed
AZ 230 p. m. the lobby Of the Eauitabls
Building in which Mr. Belmont's banking house
has Offices, looked Iiie the meeting place Of a
sbor congress. Members Of the executive and
strike committees Of the three organizations.
twenty-five strong. gathered there to wait for
Their national officers. Stone and Hurley. Of the
Engineers. Mahon and Orr. Of the ArnaIgamated.
and Wilson. Of the Firemen. soon Joined them.
OYER SUNDAY ATLANTIC CITY OUTING.
FennFylvania Railroad specaI tour September n.
nties ceyerIng fransDOFtafion end fxo Gays hotel
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