New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-05
FOR STRIKE OF $4,000
MAX BEGIN LABOR DAY.
Street Rml5oay Men Threaten to
InuolUe Al NesO England.

the Amalgamated Association Of Street and
Electric Railway Employees of America has de-
cIared itself in favor of a general strike of the
thirty-two thousand members Of the association
in New England, according to statement made
here late to-day by General Organizer William
J. Walsh of Quincy, Mass. who has been IN
this city looking after the local interests of the
street railway employees. Fir. Walsh said that
delegates from fifteen divisions of the street
railway system under the control of the New
York New Haven & Hartford Railroad, had
been instructed to gather at New Haven to-
morrow morning to receive instructions regard
ing their future conduct.
The trouble started some time ago in this
city when fifty four men on the Rhode Island
eornpany's street railway system, controlled by
the New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail-
road were discharged The compary's officials
stated that the men were released because of a
breach of discipline, while the union men as
serted that the discharge was the result of the
formation of local branch of the Amalgamated
association.
Mr. Walsh stated to-day that should a strike
be declared only the New Haven system, in
Guiding seven thousand men, would at first be
affected but that If the grievance were not
quickly adjusted the strike would be extended
to other New England street railway systems.
affecting thirty-two thousand men.
IBy Telegraph The Tribune
Boston. Sept. 4.-By vote CT 1I,6Vo to o'ooo
the street railway men employed by the New
York & New Haven company on its fifteen di-
visions in Southern New England and Eastern
New York have voted to strike unless their de-
mands are met A meeting of delegates from
each union will be held in New Haven to-mor-
row morning and at that time the demands OF
the organization will be presented to the COM
pany. If the demands are not acceded to the
strike will be called on Labor Day.
IBy Telegraph The Tribune
New Haven. Sept 4.-Indications among the
trolley men of the large cities of the state are
that they will not leave work with the Provl-
dence streetcar men If the latter go out next
Monday Members of the New Haven local
union insist that they will not strike unlesS
they have a real grievance Fully three nun
dred new trolley men were set to work IN thlS
city to-day, but sympathy was, SHOWN Win
the Providence situation. The trolley men VINO
began work to-day were in nearly every case
strike breakers.
General Manager Punderford of the Connecti-
cut company tonight issued letter 10 lhe en-
pIoyes in which he said:
with the management of the Rhode lsiano
comnanv. I have nothing to do. but nave &c,
ouainted myself with the facts In the case ane
am authorized to state that the question ot
,1nion or non-union had nothing to do with ule
discharge OF the men in Providence, and aIn
assured by the president who is also presloeIit
of this company. that there Is no preJudce On
his mart toward union labor. and he Will not a.
low any employe to be discharged for such
cause. ,,,oro
THE men In question were discharged among
other reasons for violating the plain terms Oh q
written agreement they had made with tns & Of
fcerss of the company employing them, ana the
officers of the Connecticut company nave no
power in the premises and cannot secure tne
reinstatement of these men under any crcuiil-
, T am assured that were 1t possible Tor tne
of6cers of the Rhode Island company 10 apohsu
its agreement with its employees. and SO rellevs
Itself from its obligation hereunder there Woulo
he no objection on the part of such onncers 10
the employees forming union similar 10 tnat
existing among the employees OF this company.
A majority of the employees in Providence now
ever are determined to hold the company 10 lts
obligations under such agreement ana SO ions
as single ernploye insists. his rights are aDSo-
Iute and the company Is without power 10 reiease
Itself from the terms of the agreement
Under the circumstances there is put one
nossibIe course open. The Rhode Island COM
many cannot change the situation. and III the
employes of this company persist IN forcing the
issue and struggle Is to come. II must con-
tinue until one party or the other Is exhausted.