New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
MEN BENT ON STRIKE.
REFUSE TO ARBITR4TE.
S1cdtchmen Insist on ReceiUing Full
Demands, or Viii Quit Sunday.
[Ry relesraph to The rr.eun. !

@/CHOHUOS VI ~ ttC SJuSt - UIuUH.
IBy Telegraph % The Tribune
Cleveland, Dec. 20-when Grand Master Nor
rtssey of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen
was asked to-day If he in touch with the
situation in New York with regard to the de-
mands Of the switchmen on the roads in the
New York Harbor district, he replied that he
was
THE wage difficulties which we face in the
East and in the West are totally different in
their application" added Mr. Morrissey. THE
one in the East is rather more pressing. In
substance the demand is for a wage advance Of
8 cents an hour The working day is not in
volved in this demand. the ten-hour system be-
ing established If the managers do not grant
the yardmen the wage advance asked by Satur-
day night the men will be withdrawn The ulti-
matum affects 1.770 men. No further meeting
with the managers has been arranged. so far
know, nor will be. matters look now
The officials of the roads involved in the
strike ultimatum Issued by Fourth vice-Grand
Master James Murdoch of the Brotherhood OF
Railroad Trainmen, admitted yesterday that it
was unexpected. 1t covered all the local yards
of the roads running into New York except
the New York Central. the New York, New
Haven & Hartford and the Pennsylvania. and
Murdoch said yesterday that IL would
tainly go into effect at noon on Saturday If in
the mean time the general demand for an in
crease of five cents an hour which made
at the first not granted before DIST sine.
Though the general managers Of the roads
decided yesterday to SEND for Grand Master
Morrisey asking him TO come on at once. Muir
dock said it would not change the situation.
The ultimatum. he said. final.
A meeting of the general managers was held
~, oFlc Of
dent and General Manager William G. Besler
. of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, at No.
143 Liberty street, TO consider the situation
President George F. Baer OF the Reading Rail
road spent hour two at his New York
Office yesterday. but did not attend the meeting
of the managers. The following statement was
issued after the meeting was over:
The general managers of the lines entering
New York state that they regard the strike ult1-
matum of the yardmen as most astonishing
affair.
In the first place. many of the roads have
contracts with their men running to January.
1907, and beyond, which they, the yardHen'
now propose to repudiate by striking on Satur-
DAY noon, December 22-
Second-In the last three years this class Of
labor has had its wages Increased from 90 10
% per cent, as well as having the working
hours reduced.
increase of II per cent, which they decline to
consider, but, stated before, take this occa-
sion, just before the holidays, 10 pFaA COAtEdCts
and hold up the railroads for an increase far
in excess of anything that has been granted TO
or asked by any other classes OF employees
The managers have yet come TO no con-
clusion as to what action will be taken, but
have in view of the violation of the contracts
by this ultimatum of the yardmen, requested
Grand Master P H. Morrissey to come 10 New
York Immediately.
Several informal conferences were held be-
tween some OF the trainmen and Fourth Vice
Grand Master Murdoch yesterday at the Grand
Union Hotel. Mr.. Murdoch was shown the
managers statement last evening, and in reply
TO it said:
II does not represent the situation at all. To
say that contracts exist is utterly false. There
is not contract governing the wages OF SIte
trainmen in any part of the New York district
Regarding the increases OF wages, II Is true ~ ttey
have been materially increased, but Tor q num-
Der Of years the yardmen in this district nave
contended that they should be paid as much as
the men in Chicago. They were wiling 10
settle for the wages paid to the yarduien IN
Cleveland, although the Cleveland wages Ire
one cent an hour lower than in Chicago. If the
New York Central is willing 10 nay the wages
we are willing to take the other roads can do
the same.
holiday season belongs 10 the manager Nego-
tiations have been going on since November
10 and there has been plenty OF tlne TO settle:
The arrival of Grand Master Morrisey would
make no difference I have been deputed TO
represent him here. and to all tntents and pur-
noses as far as the trouble here Is concerned,
I ~, crand Master Morrisey. Mr.. Morrisey ap-
proved of the action taken, as have been in
Communication with him since the strike vote
was declared.
In answer to question as to the prospects of
arbitration he said:
II is now too late for arbitration; all ne
gotiations are off. Ny organization stands COM
T7irted 10 the principle of arbitration. but in
This case the time for arbitration has passed.
The men voted to strike and are all ready to
quit The only possible way to avert strike
now is A notification from the managers before
Saturday noon that the demand for the increase
of : cents All hour is conceded. Failing in this.
the strike will surely go into effect in accord
ance with the terms of the ultimatum