New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-09
A BELATED OFFER.

The answer of the Interborough company to
the Mayors offer Of arbitration is frank,
straightforward and convincing, 1t has moth
ing to arbitrate at present and it ought to have
nothing TO arbitrate. It's men left it suddenly,
after presenting eXtravagant demands in viola
ton Of their written contract and refusing the
managers even short time to submit the de-
mands to the president vicepresident Of the
company. The time for arbitration was before
the strike. The offer of the strikers now to
submit their case, as the Mayor requested, comes
too late. 1t is evident that they thought they
could rush the company into surrender. They
did not care for any impartial judgment on
their demands. They We're willing to subject
the public to loss aud trouble by a sudden
stoppage of traffic without any conjunction so
long they thought the stoppage or the threat
Of it would brighten the company, as it had been
frightened before. Their solcitude for the
community is awakened only when they feel
themselves beaten unless they can compromise.
Along with this manifestation of concern for
the poor people go rumors Of attempts OF the
tender hearted strikers to call out the surface
car workers, who have no part in this trouble
and serve a rival company so as to cause
added suffering to the dear people.
The Interborough company is right in its
stand. 1t should have ample police protection
ers or hoodlums, who have been so far per-
mitted to riot in the cars, tear up seats and
cut bell ropes, seriously endangering the lives
of travellers, should be sternly repressed. The
new motOrmen must have mental as well as
physical protection. If attempts to rattle"
them are allowed, serious accidents may occur.
1t is intolerable that the people of this city
should be left at the mercy Of few disorderly
gangs. The strikers say that they create no
disturbance or interference. If that is true and
we hope it is there is all the more reason for
REFRESHING those who, without any interest in
the controversy, simply seize the occasion to in
dulge in wanton mischief.
The accident of Tuesday evening at 23d-st.
must impress upon the marlborough company
the need Of greater care in the testing and
training of new employees before intrusting
lives TO their hands Some allowance must be
made for the sudden emergency. Trains were
demanded, and such men had to be used as
could be secured the instant a sound rule
in such cases generally IS that when fully COM
petent strike breakers cannot be obtained q
company must meet the terms Of the competent
strikers and continue the service which it owes
the public But there are limits to that rule.
When men make perfectly arbitrary demands
and violate their contracts refusal to tolerate
such conduct, even if they are the only men at
the moment available, is not only right but a
duty. The company is entitled to the exercise
of some patience till it has a chance to break
in new men. 1t is to be remembered that the
old ones made trial runs for days before the
subway was opened, and if put into service
without that experience they would probably
have been as awkward as the present recruits.
Until they are accustomed to the work some
what slower service is better than risks.