The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-04-20
CALHOUN REFUSES
To CONCEDE FLAT
RATE TO CARMEN
Soft Answer Comes From
Diplomatic Chief of
United Railroads
TALKS OF GENEROSITY
: Company Dwells Lovingly
on Its Offer to Renew
Terms of Award
TALKS OF GENEROSITY
TROUBLE IN PROSPECT
Officials of Union Declare
They VIII Insist on
Their Demands

In answer to the proposition ad-
vanced by the Garments union on
Thursday that the United Rail
roads arrange an eight hour sched-
ule and pay So day to platform
men, Patrick Calhoun, president
Of the company, yesterday is
sued suave statement addressed
TO the executive committee Of the
union, declaring that the cor
poration "has determined to con-
tinue for another year the sched-
ule of hours and the high rate OF
wages recently fixed for the car
men by the board of arbitration
of which Chief Justice Beatty
was chairman"
There thus exists gulf between the
employer and the employees of the local
traction combine. Both sides seem de-
termined to stand by their announced
propositions.
The union would not make a propo-
sition unless II intended to stick up for
st." said Secretary Bowling of the car
mems organization last evening.
I am in the habit Of standing by
my proposals." said President Calhoun
shortly before midnight
The carmen say the same thing;
is there any prospect of a compromise?''
was asked OF Calhoun.
EvADEs QUESTION
We won't cross that bridge until
we come TO it.P said he. But do not
fear a strike. II there is any trouble
It will be made by the newspapers" he
added evasively, when asked If it were
true that he was employing strike
breakers.
The carmen are restive at present
but not openly rebeIlious. They never
ecepted the award Of the board (
arbitration as victory. The prescribed
time for the payment of the back pay
TO be made has almost elapsed and the
United Railroads has not yet com
menced TO reimburse the men in COM
pliance with the decision Of the board.
The time is not up until April %. but
the men feel that the company has not
shown a spirit of Precipitation and they
are suspicious. Calhoun says that the
payments will begin today. The time
set by the board has not yet been
reached" he said last night, and the
company aims to keep to the letter
Of the contract"
me matter of back pay Is an import
ant one to the platform men, and It is
tacitly understood that nothing will be
done toward the campaign for better
terms until the doubling union men
have begun to get their dues.
COUNCIL WILL ACT
Last night the San Francisco labor
council received the communication OF
the car. ems union regarding its de-
mands for a SO day and eight hours
time The matter was referred to the
executive committee and will be re-
ported pack to the central body on next
Frida. evening for Endorsement The
council will unanimously approve the
demands Of the men, it IS foreseen.
without the sanction of the San Fran
cisco labor council strike could not
be maintained.
Calhoun's letter was received yester-
day afternoon by President Cornelius
OF the carmen's union. He would make
no comment on it beyond saying that
it would be referred to the executive
committee and submitted for discus
sion to the carmen at the regular meet
ing to be held next Tuesday night. The
letter follows:
Messrs. Richard Cornelius. Perry L.
Francis, John Mcdonald, Charles F.
Cordes, Harry Rees, J. Cooper. Carl
Fischer, committee from amalgamated
association Of street and electric rail-
way employees Of America, division No.
2O-Dear sirs: In reply to your request
for Information as TO what rate OF
wages the United Railroads proposes to
pay the carmen for the year beginning g
May ! next, it affords me pleasure to
f..1I 80, fo~ov,oa 1a@~uo<v,