The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-04-30
STRONG FACTION
AMONG CARMEN
OPPOSES STRIKE
Committee of the Older
Employees Makes an
Active Canvass
WANT SECRET VOTE
Fear That Hothead Orators
Will Stampede Meet
~ ing Tonight
PUBLIC FOR PEACE
Union Leaders Realize That
Sentiment Is Against
General Tieup

The conservative element in the car
mems union is engaged in a desperate
contest to prevent the midnight meeting
which is to be held In the Central the
alter tonight from being stampeded by
hotheads who may try to force strike
vote.
A committee representing the older
men IN the employ of the company has
been making a canvass of the union
members on the cars and IN the car
barns in the interests of peace. and en-
deavoring to show them that the life of
the union itself is at stake and that a
strike without public sentiment in its
favor would mean defeat.
This committee called at the news
paper Offices last night and explained
that the older men and the men with
families were opposed to a strike, but
that they were fearful that a standing
vote would be forced at the meeting
and that inhammatory speeches and
the dread Of being called .'scab" would
prevent some of the men from voting
according TO their convictions
The terms which have been pro-
posed. and for which the executive
committee is favoring a strike" one
of these men explained, include a day
of each week, and So for six days
would give US but SIS a week. while
the men are now earning $21, S22 and
s2s week. You cannot feed a family
on hours! We believe that there must
be some political motive behind this
agitation. 1t could only result in loss
to the men and loss to the union
Everywhere on the cars members of
the union are expressing the same opin-
ion and cautioning their fellows to go
to the meeting tonight with their
minds made up to vote their convic-
tions, irrespective of what influence
may be brought to bear to force them
to stand up and be counted in favor
Of strike.
It requires a two-thirds vote to de-
clare a strike, and if a secret ballot be
taken there is little question about the
result But the men will vote first on
the manner of taking the strike vote
whether by ballot or by a rising
vote-and this question viii be decided
by a majority.
There was little evidence of excite
ment among the men yesterday, or any
thing to indicate that the union was
on the eve OF a strike vote. Even al
the headquarters of the union there
were no signs OF preparation for a con-
fict. Cornelius refuses to state his owr
position, saying that he leaves it t.
the men. Those who have advised the
union on former occasions have SAID
that strike at this time would BIZ
suicidal for the union itself. At the
same line the speeches which will pt
made tonight will be by men who vii
try TO excite the meeting to a pitcf
where it will be impossible for calmel
counsel to prevail
Calhoun denies that the wage which
the United Railroads is paying its car
men is niggardly and declares that il
is the result of two arbitrations, tn.
inference being that the present wag.
is greater than the company woul,
have fixed II 1t had been permitted t.
act entirely on its own yolition. R.r
Calhoun says the limit has been reach.
ed beyond which the company will no
allow itself to be forced and warns tn,
men that they will be the losers if the,
go on strike.
The arguments for and against z
strike at the present time are no
based on the justice Of the present
wage or the desirability of the eigh
hour day, but ra.-er on the fact tha'
public opinion is so hostile to a street
car strike on any ground at this tim,
that the men probably would lose, how
ever general the prevalence and jus
the principle of the eight hour day
Taking advantage of this unquestione,
public sentiment. Calhoun is almos
tion not to yield at any point He vii
not listen to compromise and asserts
that as far as the company is concerned
the last word has been said. At the
company's Offices ii is believed thai
there will be no strike, but complet,
preparations have been made to NEE
the trouble If it comes.
The statement which was given ou