Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-07-27
PROPOSAL REJECTED.
Employees Reject Proposition Of Rail
way Company.

the Street Railway Co, announced at
the end Of the conference that a pro-
position had been drawn up for settle
ment, which the car men might act on
at a meeting in the evening.
The proposition as given out in the
statement of President Grape is as fol-
lows:
The board of Cancellation and arbi-
tration. from investigation made by the
board. having reported to me that the
order of July "a, giving notice to all
men VINO failed to report on or before
$50 A. NJ. July o5, were thereby dis
charged, owing to the short time and
excitement Of many of the men affect
cd, was not definitely understood as an
absolute and final discharge and hav
ing suggested that in fairness to the
men who labored under some misap-
prehension of the situation, the time
set in said notice during which if they
returned they would hold their posi-
tons be extended in order to give them
an opportunity if they desired to take
advantage of it, l hereby state that the
application of the order is extended to
4.30 P. NJ, tomorrow, July 30. and all
day last will be re-instated if they ap-
ply before that date, preserving their
rating as to years of service. but TAX
ing rank below all men who have re-
manned at work and have maintained
their good standing since Monday last.
The ranking of all such men as apply
before 4.30 tomorrow, will be among
themselves. the same as they formerly
held. and not in the order of time of
reporting.
The terms of employment which will
apply to these men will be the same as
those which apply to all men at pres
ent in our employ, statement of which
as to certain aspects l have submitted
to the board of Cancellation and arbi-
tration as a definite statement of the
terms and conditions as to the points
covered of the present position of the
company in regard to the same. They
will remain in the possession of the
company for the present and so far
as 1 can fOresee for the immediate flu
ture, but are not put forth for the per-
manent conditions which may not be
affected by varying future conditions
and are not limited to any time. Any
man who avails himself of the oppor-
tunity to return to work will be treat
ed by the company with absolute fair
ness and his action in going on strike
will not affect his relation to the COM
pany. Any man who is now in good
standing or returns to work under this
extension of time and does not COM
pletely join in absolute harmony with
his employees and treat them with full
oix 10,
| once and for all ceasing by his action
and speech to foster or continue the
strife and discord of the late situation,
| will be regarded as inimical to the in
| terests of the company and subject to
| discharge"
| by a unanimous vote the striking
street railway men decided tonight to
| reject the proposition offered by the
Union Street Railway Co.. through its
president, Henry II. Grape. by post
| poning indefinitely a settlement of diff
| ferences existing between the company
and it's employees. The proposition of
| President Grape was to take back al
the strikers who applied for their posi-
| tons before 4.40 O'Clock tomorrow. The
| men would receive an advance in
wages. but not such an advance as
they had demanded. The men have
asked for fiat wage scale of % cents
an hour. Up to the time of the strike
they received less than that figure, but
| We're given % cents an hour after 10
years service with the company.
| Two days ago President Crapo an
nounced a new wage scale. in which
the 25-cent rate is paid after five years
service yith the company. The offer
| stipulated that the men would not
lose their rating. except that the en-
| ployes who had not gone on strike
would take precedence over the others.
1t was brought out at the conference
| that only five of the strikers would
have a lower rating if they returned to
work.
| Cars were run until o'clock tonight.
three hours later than on any previous
1 day since the strike began. An attempt
i will be made tomorrow TO run full
! service. provided the police are able to
| guarantee protection TO the passengers.
| Three cars were stoned tonight. Three
passengers were injured by the missiles
| and many windows were smashed.
The state board of Cancellation and ar
bitratfon visited the city today in an en-
deavor to bring about settlement. Con-
ferences were held at which the mem
| bers of the state board, Mayor Thomas
| Thompson, President Grape and repre-
sentatves of the strikers were present,
but no agreement could be reached.
The action of the company in import
| ing about 100 strikebreakers from New
York and Boston has caused great bitter
ness among the strikers. as well as
among the thousands of cotton mill OPP
eratives in the city. all of whom are
strong in their support of organized Ia
Dor.
1t was reported here late tonight that
| Governor Guild today communicated
with Colonel Nutter, who is at Fort
Rodman with four companies of Mass
achusetts Coast Artillery. questioning
him in regard to the strike situation.
On the strength of Colonel Nutter' S
answer, it is understood that Governor
Guild instructed the Colonel to hold
his command in readiness to quell any