Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-03-04
CARMEN OFFER
TO ALLOW COURT
TO END STRIKE
Rapid Transit Company Consid-
ers Proposal to Join Strikers
in Arbitration Petition.
INTERFERENCE BY COURTS
SAID TO BE ILLEGAL
Labor Leaders Complete Ar-
rangements for Sympathetic
Walk-0ut at Midnight.

PHILADELPHIA. Pa. March 4.--The
Board of Directors of the Philadelphia
RAPID Transit Company met this morn
ing to consider the offer of the striiS-
ing carmen, made last night, that they
join in petitioning the Court of Com-
mon Pleas for the appointment Of a
board of arbitrators TO adjust the diff
ferences existing between the men and
the company.
Labor men say the acquiescence OK
the company in the proposed arbitra-
tion will mean the calling off of the
general strike ordered to go into effect
at midnight tonight and the return of
the striking trolleymen to their cars.
The offer of the carmen was made
DAILY, in letter addressed TO President
Kruger. of the Rapid Transit Com !
pany, following the declaration OF
Mayor Reyburn that an act of Assem-
bly, provided a means of arbitration
The letter calls for reply by noon to-
day. In offering the arbitration propo-
sition, the letter says:
I'VE are animated in this sugges~
ton:
''First-Because the statute represents
an expression Of the will of the presi-
dent as to the manner in which said
differences should be settled.
Secondly a desire to amicably and
justly settle the differences existing
between us; and
Thirdly a desire for an immediate
and permanent restoration of normal
business conditions, which seem to be
in danger of being further disturbed by
reasons of the differences existing be-
tween us"
Although President Kruger stated to
committee Of business men that the
company viii obey the law, he has re-
fused to comment on the subject OF
Attorney Qaly'ssa letters. George Fl.
Earle, one of the city's representatives
on the board of directors and a pror1li-
nent lawyer, stated yesterday that he
believed the act to be unconstitutional.
Labor leaders are going ahead with
their preparations for the big walkout
ordered to take place at midnight to-
night The carpenters and joiners,
whose national officers are here, also
decided to demand an increase in
wages for their men, as well as joining
in the general sympathetic strike.
board of arbitration composed OF
master and journeymen bricklayers is
meeting today at the request of the
journeymen, who wa to find some
means by which they can participate in
the sympathetic strike without en-
dangering their agreement with their
employers Good feeling exists between
the master and journeymen brick
layers. The Bricklayers' Union is az
4sI
and is one of the few unions incor-
porated under State law
The union brewery workers, number
ing about 1000 men, have referred tho
question of sympathetic strike to
their national officers. and expect to
receive instructions today. The brew
cry men are working under an agree
ment won after hard fight. and are
hesitating about going into a sympathy
strike without the sanction of the ma
tional organization.
The leaders on both sides of the big
labor fight are receiving hundreds OF
kilograms from all over the United
States giving them moral support and
indorsing their respective attitudes.
The strikers are hearing from many
labor unions and big leaders, and the
Rapid Transit Company is getting let
ters from associations and big em-
ployers
The National Association of Manu-
facturers sent kilograms CHARACTERISTIC
of its weH-known position on the labor
question. There was little change in
the street car service early today. IL
the company put more cars in opera
ton than yesterday 1t was not notice.
able.
The members of the Theatrical Stage
Employees Union have been granted
dispensation which provides that they
may remain at work until midnight 10
/ morrow. This was done in order that
the productions at the various theatres
may finish out this weeks Engagements
without inconvenience because of the
/ strike
| Fears that the water supply Of Pllla-
/ delphia might be cut off through a
strike of flremen and engineers at the
pumping stations is not entertained
by the water bureau officials. who say
| that nearly all the men in that branch
of the bureau are non-union.
/ 1t was also reported that the city
might be plunged into darkness by a
strike Of the mechanical force Of the
/ Philadelphia Electric Company, which
controls al The public and commercial
/ electric lighting business in Philadei-
| phia 1t was learned from an official of
the company. however. that very few Of
! its employees are connected with unions
and that no trouble or inconvenience Is
expected