The Detroit times., 1910-04-07
D. U. R. MAKES FLAT
I REFUSAL OF MEMS
DEMANDS
Company Tells Mahon and Local
Committee II Won't Grant Wage
Scale Asked, But Offers To Ar
bitrate Whole Agreement.
Other Meetings Sure To Be Held
Before Question of Striking Is
Seriously Considered.

settlement OF the wage controversy
between the Detroit United railway
and it's motormen and conductors In
q conference held between representa-
tives Of both sides In the office az
President Hutchins. oil the ID. L. r.,
Tuesday morning.
The men, through their representa-
tves, again submitted their deman9
for 80 cents an hour and were prompt
ly informed that this demand could
not be met The company once more
expressed its willingness 10 arbiuate
the entire agreement, and made il
plain that 1t would arbitrate on this
basis alone. To this, however. the
other side would not agree, insisting
that the company waive arbitration
or the clauses recognizing the union
and giving it control OF its member
ship. In other words, both sides stood
pat. and the next move would seem 20
be up TO the men, though both Presi-
dent Hutchins and International Pres
ident Mahon intimated, after the con-
ference, that there is a likelihood OF
further meetings before the question
OF strike is submitted 10 the inter
national executive committee.
The conference began early In the
forenoon and lasted until 1890
o'clock The company was represent
ed by President Jcre c. Hutchins and
General Manager Frank w. Brooks,
the men by President w. ID. Mahon,
of the Amalgamated Association OK
Street and Electric Railway Employees
of America, and the executive com
mittee OF the local union
The company had indicated its
position by making public a stem
ographic report of a conference be-
tween General Manager Brooks and a
committee from the local street car
mems union. held March %. This re-
port is an interesting document
as showing the company's atti-
tude not only with respect 10 the pres
ent controversy but on the street car
situation generally. Throughout the
conference Mr.. Brooks emphasized tha
company's alleged poverty. One par
ticularly interesting statement by Mr..
Brooks, in view Of the agitation now
On over the committee OF fifty ordin-
ance. follows:
II think the time will come when
they will get away from the question
OF fixing rate OF fare TO run for 10.
20. % or so years. wouldn't advise
q man to invest dollar in a street
car property that was tied up for 80
years, because, in 80 years, unless
some new discovery is made, unless
the automobile and the airship sup
rlant the street car. which doesn't
seem possibility. the street railways
VIII be charging more than a nickel
because VI costs more than a nickel
Now, taxes this year are boosted"
he went on. All the city employees
wanted mere paw; they didn't get it."
They had it for a minute or two.
didn't they?" interposed Mr.. Jossman, |
member OF the committee.
"Yes, they had 1t for six minutes, / 7,
guess. They didn't get 1t. however, be- !
cause there is strong feeling in this |
town that the people can't afford TO
pay it."
In a discussion of the high cost Of
living Mr.. Brooks grew very emphatic.
Those things affect everybody" he |
said, "and yet the company, in this !
situation. is asked TO make up for
those differences and at the same |
time pay the enormous increase in the
cost OF material and supplies and all |
the other increases In the way OF taxes |
and all those things. Now, the Gods |
truth is that the company doesn't get !
the money to do il. That's the diff |
Guilty. The people are not paying this !
company Cor the service 1t renders. !
and the company is absolutely limited
to the money 1t receives for the ser
vice. II borrows money for all those
extensions and additions. It's receipts
Go not enable it to make those at all,
except TO the extent of about % per
cent. The balance OF the money II
has has got to go somewhere and Dor
row and try and earn the interest
on it,"
Evidently the committee was not
strongly impressed by this energetic
plea, for Mr.. Meaker. one of the rep
resentatives, broke in with the re-
mark:
THE one thing we would like is 10
have some conditions we could report
back 10 the general body"
Mr. Brooks expressed the belief,
inferentiaily, that the men did not APP
preciate what had been done from
time TO time in the way OF advances.
Throughout the conference Mr.
Brooks sought to impress on the com.
mittee that the company would arbi-
trate the whole agreement or nothing,
while the committee was equally insls-
isn't that the organization clauses
should be left out
II dom propose 10 be a party 90
any crazy-quilt work" declared the
general manager. There were certain
conditions. he said, that the public
ought 70 know about and the only way
TO inform the pubic was To open up
TIE whole agreement. Moreover. ne
argued, TO leave out certain sections
would be debating 10 the arbitration
board. Brooks claimed that the con-
citions imposed by the union were re.
sponsible for many OF the men leaving
the service from time 20 time.
II never knew OF case where We
Eiisrepresented things and the mea
eft" retorted Business Agent John
Fraser.
Yes, there are a whole lot-we
rave been keeping records of those
things" RESPONDED Brooks.
i don't see where the organization
could do anything TO drive the ~pen
away"
eve do. and that is what we want
20 call attention to-
"Wnat are they. Mr.. Brooks"
"rhey are all matters that would be
fully presented and discussed.
don't want 60 burden myself with
srvtuo ~, nuticfpafe what Wauiu h.