The San Francisco call., 1904-04-27

I.
having twice advanced our wages without
request but we have reached the limit The
public understands the situation thoroughly
end Is. I believe. in full accord with the
companies.
SAFE TILL SATURDAY.
Entn midnight on April 80 the street.
car system Of San Francisco will be
operated by its present employees. When
the spring month OF May dawns none
may forecast the result between the
operators and the United Railroads
Apparently there are three differences
between the men and their employing
company; those OF wages, hours and
uRfonism. Practically the fight has de-
veloped into the open shop" issue,
where the company claims the right TO
hire men Irrespective Of whether or
not the union credentials are in their
possession. According TO International
President Mahon the questions of
wages and hours are subsidiary matters
that can be settled by arbitration. He
says that the men insist absolutely on
the preservation Of the union and that
the vote Monday was a protest against
the cOmpany's attempts to disrupt it,
! Following the vote OF the union Mon
day night rejecting the terms offered
TO the men by the United Railroads In
o ternational President Mahon, Richard
Cornelius. president of the local
union of carmen, and J. H.
Bowling, secretary Of the organiza-
ton. called on President Holland
OF the United Railroads yesterday fore
noon. They were courteously received
and the information that the men in
terested had rejected the offerings Of
the company by an overwhelming vote
wss formally delivered.
Before President Holland made an
swer Treasurer Starr was called in.
Holland was crisp in his answers and
declared emphatically that the COM
pahy had gone 10 its limit in its Of
fers 10 its employees. Mahon and his
'oficials listened to Hollands remarks
without apparent emotion, and assured
the president Of the United Railroads
that the company's stand would be
truthrllIy conveyed to the meL for
their determination.
During the conference Charles Hol-
brook, one Of the heaviest stockholders
Of the road in local circles, came in and
listened ,attentively.
UNION OFFICERS CONFER.
when Mahon and his confreres left
the Offices Of the United Railroads they
went Immediately to headquarters at
$40. O'Farrell street. In the office Of
tlle secretary Of the union a long con-
ference was held lasting well along
toward afternoon. When Mahon was
asked its result he said there was moth
ing to gave out TO the public further
than that the officials OF the union
had submitted the result of the vote
Of its members to the officials Of the
United Railroads and had received no
sterms in response.
'wfl there be a striker" he was
asked.
IL cannot say" he answered. There
are essential differences between the
company and its employees, the great
est Of which is the integrity of the
union. other matters might be set
tied IN conference, but this issue is
paramount. Another vote viii be taken
by the men on the strike question some
time during the week, although il is
not necessary, in my opinion, under the
rules Of our organization. When the
vote is counted I shall be able to state
whether or not a strike of the street
car employees Of San Francisco viii oc-
cDr at midnight Of April 30
Manager Chapman Of the United
Railgoads had only to say that the
differences between the company's en-
ployes and itself had not terminated
satisfactorily. but he would hazard no
opinion as to the ultimate outcome of
the trouble. He expressed a hope that
no strike would occur and that the
passenger traffic of the city would not
be Snterfered with by a strike among
the operators OF the cars.