Daily Kennebec journal., 1910-03-01
DIRECTORS Firm.
Philadelphia Rapid Tran
sit Co. Refuses
10 Consider Arbitration, De.
spite Pressure Brought
81 Religious Bodies and Clergy
men...More Cars Running.

Philadelphia, Feb. 2S.-DeSpite the
constantly increasing number of de-
:nands by religious bodies and others
that arbitration be resorted to to set
lie the strike against the Philadelphia
Rapid Transit Co, officials of that COM
oany declared tonight that no proposal
looking toward arbitration in any form
S being considered by the board of
directors.
There were very few disturbances
along any of the lines of the company
.oday and an increased number of cars
eft the various barns.
Mayor Reyburn said tonight that the
situation materially improved today
md he was confident that the Rapid
Transit Co. and the men would come
together for an amicable settlement if
outsiders would leave well enough
alone The proposal of arbitration, he
said, was talked over at today's meet
ing of the Rapid Transit board but he
took no part in the discussion. Men
who report for work tomorrow morn
ing, the mayor said, will be taken back
and will be subjected to no punish
ment They must come as individuals,
however, and will not be permitted to
wear the union button.
Mayor Reyburn denied the story
published in a New York newspaper
today that George II. Earle, Jr.. repre-
sentative of the city on the company'S
board was the only member to speak
against arbitration at it's latest meet
ing. He said positively that he would
not consent to act as an arbitrator. nor
did he think the judges could with
propriety act in that capacity as sug-
gested. The nature both of his own
position and theirs. in the mayors
opinion, forbade the consideration of
such an offer.
THE arguments put forth for arbi-
tration make me weary" asserted tire
mayor. "The effect is to hoodwink the
men. The last strike was settled by
arbitration and see the result Men
are being sent to prison and lives and
property are being endangered and
destroyed. Let the men and the COM
pany settle their own differences" The
representatives on the board fought
hard for better working conditions for
the carmen, added the mayor, and
were in a fair way to succeed. when
all their plans were spoiled by outside
interference. Council will meet Thurs
day, when some course of action to
end the strike will be taken. Mayor
Reyburn, President McCurdy of the
common council and President Hazlett
Of the select council conferred today
as to what this action would be, but
arrived at no conclusion. G.. o. Pratt
leader of the carmen, said today:
zone reason why we deferred the
general strike until Saturday was to
give the workmen an opportunity to
go tc their employers and emphasize
the necessity for arbitration. If the
employers do not sec fit to try and
bring about a settlement of the matter
then we must assume they are siding
with the faction which is attempting
to crush organized labor and that
their agreements with their workmen
are no longer binding
Although the Rapid Transit Co.
refuses to accept preferred arbitration
it is reported here tonight that the
National Civic Federation will en-
deavor to settle the trolley strike. 1t
is reported that John Mitchell chair
man Of the trade agreement of the
federation and who led the anthracite
coal miners through two victorious
strikes is coming to look over the sit
uation.
c. o. Pratt of the Car Mems Union said
today that he believed public sentiment
would force settlement of the strike be-
fore Saturday and that a general strike
would not be necessary. He added:
ment with the company last June and we
are prepared to prove that every clause
was broken and destroyed by them That