New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-02-19
THE STRIKE LESS LIKELY.
ARBITR4TION SUGGESTED.
From Source Outside of Nezc-Hauen
-Ydle Men apply.

of arbitration in the firemen's troubles mas peeh
sent to Second Vice-Grand Master Timothy Shea'
of the Brotherhood of Locomotive F1remeh' or
to the local grievance committee. by J. Pierpont
Morgan or any director of the New-York, New
Haven and Hartford Railroad. This informal
ton comes from competent source and is the
outcome of extended inquiry as to the reported
arbitration offer. The suggestion of arbitration,
which, it is understood. was contained III teie-
gram delivered to Mr.. Shea last night, Is thought
to have come from an outside source, and one
which is not entirely familiar with the neso-
tiations which have been in progress for nearly
six months between the local grievance COM
mittee of the brotherhood and the officers OF the
road Tonight the situation on the road is
practically unchanged, although the impression
is constantly growing stronger that there Will
be no strike
The local committee of the brotherhood has
done nothing, apparently, in preparation for an
offensive or defensive move. Several of its
members have been out of town on personal
business and will return tomorrow for meet
ing of the committee of twenty-five, which Will
discuss the situation. Mr. Shea was In New
York to-day in attendance on a meeting of the
national executive board of locomotive firemen-
Members of the brotherhood say that it is this
committee which is behind the movement to
bring the issue between the engineers and the
fremen squarely before the New-fork, New
Haven and Hartford Railroad This board IL
is understood, will act through Mr.. Shea In the
event of a strike, relieving the local commit
tee of the brotherhood of most OF the RESPONSE
biIity The question of recognition of those en-
gineers who are still in the hremens brother-
hood is national and IT is UNDERSTOOD
that the New-Haven road was selected as
good field for a battle, because of its supposed
vulnerability.
Tonight there were few outward signs Of in
terest in the ffremens troubles in this city, the
hall in which the committee has been hoidlng
meetings not being open. At the hotel at which
Mr. Shea is a guest there were few callers for
him which was in marked contrast with last
night when he was in great demand for per-
sonal interviews. The impression Whlch mas
been held among members of other Iapor or
CARNATIONS that there will be no strike seems
to be strengthened to a considerable extent by
reports received by them from other parts OF
the New York. New-Haven and Hartford Rali-
road. showing that the tension existing De-
tween the committee and the officers is almost
of local character, and that anxiety to strike
lessons with growing distance from this centre
1t is said by brotherhood members that the
fact that there is only lukewarm feeling tow
ard a strike will undoubtedly cause delay in
the counting of the ballots polled on the ques-
ton of giving the committee full power TO act,
and to-morrows meeting may have no definite
result.
From member of the Brotherhood of Rail-
road Firemen in close touch with the situation
came the report that telegram suggesting ar
bitration had come to Timothy Shea from
moneyed interests outside the road These in
terests. it was said, would be heavily affected
by a strike. A report that the suggestion came
from President Roosevelt denied.
flT1itfp
of arbitration. composed of a representative of
the company one from the firemen and a neutral
third party the whole situation would be cleared
up" said the informant. He admitted, however,
that there was little or no basis for supposinS
that the road would agree to become party to
such an arbitration plan. From his statement
it is gathered that the suggestion contained
in the telegram came from a source not wholly
conversant with the efforts at arbitration which
had previously been made by the railroad OIL
ciais and the grievance committee.
GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE HEARS REPLY.
The reply of the committee OF the directors of
the New-York New-Haven and Hartford Rail
road Company sustaining the action of President
Mellen in rejecting the demands of the railroad
ffremen's brotherhood was formally received to-
day at a meeting of the grievance committee OF
the firemen At this meeting Mr.. Shea read to
delivered to him late yesterday afternoon by
John c. Parker, secretary of the railroad cor
poration.
Members of the committee said the session
was of little significance and was merely for the
formal receipt of the reply the text Of which
had already been published. and to arrange for
meeting on Sunday of the general executive
committee, composed of members of the brother
hood from all parts of the railroad system Mr..
Shea remained in the meeting only few min
utes as he was obliged to go to NewYork.
Pending the Sunday meeting. it said to-
day that nothing would be known regarding the
result OF the poll of members of the brotherhood
employed on the railroad system in reference to
a strike Mr.. Shea said it was probable that
this count would be made tomorrow. though
even that was not certain. In the event of GER
tain contingencies he said. the count might not
be made tomorrow but he did not explain these
contingencies.
Among some of the minor executive officials
of the railroad the opinion which has been ex-
pressed all along, that there would be no strike,
was reiterated again to-day. These officials said
their opinion based statements made by
local members Of the Firemen's Brotherhood.
On the other hand, preparations which are un-
derstood to have been made by the railroad
company regarded indicating that the
company looks on strike as a probable out
come of the situation. Representatives of the
hremen say that. for a week past a bureau for
the employment of men to take the places of
members of the brotherhood in the event of the
and elsewhere.
ARBITRATION REPORT PERSISTENT.
A hopeful report which was current last night,