New-York tribune., 1907-06-29
LITTLE ICE DELIVERED
WORKERS GO ON STRIKE.
Company VIII Not Yield TO De
nqandS, Mr. Oler Says.

Saloons, drug stores and restaurants began
yesterday feel the effects Of the strike Of the
Gee wagon drivers and helpers against the
American Ice Company, who went out early in
the morning. The strike was confined princi-
pally TO the lower sections OF the city. although
over in Brooklyn there wasn't much ice deliv-
cred. Jersey City. 1t was reported, would also
suffer.
The residents Of apartment and fiat houses were
IL most cases without ice. In office buildings
tie workers were forced TO drink tepid water, If
they drank water at ali. except in cases where
ice plants are installed. The large hotels have
their OWE ice plants. as 4 rule.
On the East Side the tenement house dwelers
got their ice supply from pedlers. who deliver 1t
ia pushca-ts, but the East SIders got the idea
yesterday toward the afternoon that ice was
scarce and sent little boys and girls TO the
docks.
There we're many complaints from the Office
buildings. Superintendent Lewis Of the ST. Paul
Building said ne had contract with the
pany. but could not get any ice.
The trouble dates to conference which the
men had with President Oler. At that time
the men say the company promised to raise the
wages for drivers to SIC week and for helpers
70 s12. They also say that promises in regard
20 shorter hours have not been fulfilled.
Several ice cream firms rad to work hard to
get ice. Superintendent schneider OF the J.
II Horton Ice cream depot. No. : TO Il New
Chambers street said:
THE strike caught us between the eyes. We
were unprepared and had to send the drivers
Of the ice cream wagons to the docks for fee
OF course, this caused great delay and confusion
In our deliveries 10 our customers
The following statement was issued ct the
Office of the American Ice Company:
This strike IS for the purpose of compelling
the company 70 force the drivers and helpers to
Join the teamsters' union or to discharge them"
We refuse because the demand is contrary TO
American principles and individual liberty. We
viii not force men into the union, nor have
tried 10 force men out Of the union All we ask
IS good service and we will do all in our power
80 protect those who desire TO work for us
under those conditions.
There is no question OF wages in this strike"
Eaid Mr.. Oler. and II has not been brought
about by any dissatisfaction OF individuals but
by the union. The company has been requested
by agents for the union 10 discharge men who
would not join the union or would not pay the
union dues. We refused this, Of course. AS TO
the long hours It is well known that for six
seven months the Ice business is carried at
g loss so that when the rush Of summer comes
the men should understand and be prepared to
work hard did not confer with the two agents
Of the union who sought TO see Wednes-
day. because they We're not employees Of the
American Ice Company, and did not see At TO
do so under the circumstances. IN regard TO the
companys attitude the strike we will fight
Il out on this l,ne If It takes all summer. I
think the strike IS weak end Will not last long.
however"
The American Ice Company has about nine
hundred delivery wagons in the city. There
ere about twenty-five hundred men out. Nearly
eight hundred are IN Brooklyn, and they appear
10 he better organized there than in Manhattan.
Conev Island may have its own troubles in
getting its supply OF ice for to-day and to-mor-
row.