New-York tribune., 1910-11-06

+be men say Inat tnoT see to go
hsck only to be discharged because they
bave Joined union.
7 do not want to enter into the dispute
on this head, and have only used my good
Ie Of this city from being further an
ppnved by this strike. Very truly yours,
"0' W. J. GAYNOR, Mayor
The paper which the men submitted to
the Mayor for the companies to agree TO
Is as follows:
We are willing to take back our en-
against them. except for personal violence
committed by any OF them in the strike
gloves have raised a dispute about hours
and wages, such companies and commit
fee Of their employees will at once proceed
20 settle that matter after the men resume
cork the old scale 70 continue until De-
cember l next
The strike leaders went over to Ho-
boken and attended a mass meeting of
the Jersey City strikers after the
conferences at the City Hall. Daniel J.
Tobin. president Of the International
Rrotherhood of Teamsters. and other
leaders addrCs ed the meeting. The
nropositiou submitted by the employers
wa read 70 the men and received with
7ovIs of derision. Resolutions were
sdopted to stay on strike until the COM
panies agreed to recognize the unions.
Mayor Wittpenn of Jersey City was in
conference with the labor leaders Ash
ron and Tobn at the Victoria Hotel, in
this city, late last night. President
Tobin issued a long statement in reply
To the statement emanating from the
president of one of the companies. 1t
was announced that Samuel Gompers,
president of the National Federation of
Labor, would arrive here to-day to look
over the strike situation.
When Mr.. Tobin saw the statement
issued by one of the companies presi-
dents he dictated long reply. He said
that he was positive that the desperate
conditions existing in the New York
streets had been brought about by the
importation of thugs and strike break
ers. The strike would continue as long
as the companies refused to recognize
the strikers demands, he said, as much
as he deplored 1t.
I'VE are willing to submit the whole
question, or any point at issue, to an
honest and impartial arbitration board" "
he said IF the companies believe them
ing to arbitrate the points at issue? The
men have presented their grievances in
written form, and the companies have
ignored them. The conditions under
which many of the men worked were
almost unbearable, and they were driven
to desperation, with the result that they
quit work as the only alternative. They
worked fourteen or fifteen hours a day
for low wages and suffered other abuses
which the companies absolutely refused
to remedy.
Many OF them We're members of the
unions before they ceased employment.
and the others Immediately perfected
their organization. believing that the
rank and file of organized workers would
materially assist them. 1t is absolutely
IN the hands of the express companies
to settle the strike, and they obStinately
refuse to meet representatives Of the
men or recognize the right Of their en-
ployes to organize into g, labor union.
THE union officials and organizers are
not trying to prolong this struggle, and
have demonstrated that they are anxious
and willing TO effect a settlement If the
company officials will meet them in a
fair and square manner. The matter
as il stands to-day is TO be regretted
by all honest and fair minded men, and
we ask the business public for their
sympathy. support and assistance TO
try and adjust the existing trouble in
New York and New Jersey"
The labor leaders declared last night
that if a general strike should be called
il would involve nearly 100000 men.
There are about y. 600 teamsters in this
city. il was said. most of whom are or
ganized and would respond to a gen.
eraI strike order and about 10000 men
employees in trades touched by the eX-
press companies, such as 'longshoremen,
chaufTeurs stablemen, waybin clerks
etc. who would go out in sympathy.