Evening star., 1909-06-04

PHILADELPHIA. June 4.-Prospect8
for settlement of the strike of the en-
ployes of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit
Company are brighter today than at any:
time since the strike began. Both sides
have agreed to make concessions. and
predictions are made that there will be
a complete resumption of street car serv-
ice by tomorrow. This situation has been
brought about by the republican leaders
of the city, whose plans for tomorrows.
primary elections have been tnterfered
with this week by the spirit Of turbulence
that spread over the city In the last three
days.
After a conference In the city hall
which lasted until 3 o'clock this morning,
Mayor Reyburn made public q letter ad-
dressed to John B. Parsons, president OF
the transit company, in which he offers
terms for settlement of the strike. In
his letter the mayor stated that he had
been impelled to take a hand in settling
the trouble because of the riotous out
breaks during the last few days. and that
he had been in communication with the
men to find a common ground upon which
to negotiate a settlement.
Terms Suggested to Company.
continued, II suggest the following points
of agreement which, If accepted by your
company. 1 have reason to believe VIII
result in the immediate resumption OF
your regular schedules of services:
81 All former employees shall be re-
stored to their former positions.
80 Arrangements to be made by which
standard uniform adopted by the COM
pany may be purchased by your employees
from anv one of not less thap five repu-
table clothierS.
..3 Your employees to form represent
ative body to consist OF one OF their num-
ber electeds by a majority vote from each
barn which bdy shall in turn designate
a smaller working committee OF its own
members which shall from time to time
be accorded full opportunity TO take up
with the proper officers of the company
any and all questions affecting the rights
of employees.
~ This committee to take up at once
with the management OF the company
the schedules, with q view OF making
such changes in hours and working con-
ditions as are consistent with proper serv-
ice to the public.
IS The rate of wages beginning July
l. 1909, to be - cents an hour.
"6. These conditions to continue for
one, two or three years. as may be
agreed upon with said committee"
Company Accepts Terms.
President Parson made. an immediate
reply, in which he said:
After communicating with such MEM
bers of the board as I have been able to
reach, l answer that the company ac-
cepts your suggestions and stands ready
to carry them out in their full intent and
spirit
The terms of settlement were arranged
by State Senator James p. McNichol, the
leader of the Philadelphia republican or
ganization. and c. o. Pratt. the leader
of the strikers, and submitted to each
side before the formal letters were ex-
changed between the mayor and the COM
pany.
| The strikers met today at their several
Headquarters and selected delegates to
conference to he held later In the day,
when the agreement is expected to be
ratified.
The city early today was quiet. There
is no Improvement in the street car serv-
ice over that Of yesterday. and with a
heavy rain falling the discomfort OF the
public is greater than ever.
Strikers Not Wholly Satisfied. }
While there appears to be no doubt that
the proposed agreement set forth In Mayor
Reyburns letter will be accepted by both
sides. there is still some dissatisfaction
expressed by strikers. The rate Of wages
to be paid after July I. namely, % cents
an hour, is not received with enthusiasm.
The company before the strike began an
nounced that wages would be Increased
July / from 81 to % cents. therefore the
men do not look upon this as concee-