Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1912-05-03
NOT TO GRANT
ANY INCREASE
Strikers on New York &
Long Branch Railroad
Make Demands.
TROUBLE AT MATAWAN
Committee Waits on Supt.
Berry Who Refuses Their
Request Today.
TROUBLE AT MATAWAN
specioi to the EVENING NEWS.

Long Branch, May 3:-Superin-
tendent l.. w. Berry, of the New
York & Long Branch Railroad COM
pany, received delegation of five
this morning from the striking
Itlanian section gang and patiently
heard their demands of an increase
from sixteen and two-third cents an
hour to twenty cents per hour, but
emphatically informed the commit
tee that the company was not in a
position to meet such demands. The
section gangs along the N. Y. & l.. B.
road have been paid sixteen and
two-third cents per hour, for nine
and ten hour day, for some time
The strikers desire an Increase to
working day.
Cannot Afford to Give Raise.
The delegation of strikers was
composed of workmen from Long
Branch, Asbury Park, Matawan and
an interpreter. superintendent Ber-
ry said after the conference that his
company cannot meet such demands,
regardless of the immediate need of
an ad djustment of difficulties. Mr..
Berry also informed the NEWS re-
porter that the road has experienced
no trouble from the strikers, to date,
regardless of reports to the con-
trary. He denies that the strikers
raided a freight depot yesterday at
this place, also scorned the Idea that
the enraged foreigners are planning
to take revenge upon the road by
opening switches aud allowing the
trains with their precious freight to
speed into blocked sidings, etc.
Open Switch at Matawan.
1t was reported at Matawan to-
day that the strikers opened a
switch yesterday afternoon at that
place, but the break" was discov-
cred by railroad officials before the
appearance of the due express and
disaster avoided. superintendent
Berry denies such an instance, and
claims the strikers have acted most
peacefully. Another report from
Matawan Is to the effect that a man
was found working late yesterday on
a tressle near that place and WAS set
upon and badly beaten by the idle
section gang because he refused to
yield to the demands OF the strikers
and suspend work. This report
seems to be without foundation,
however, as it is denied by the rail-
road officials and authorities at Mat
avian.
Superintendent Berry estimates
that there are about sixty members
Of the section gang striking for an
increase, with about fifty additional
workmen off duty because OF the
affair. They have been forced by
the strikers to abandon their work
and now express fear of injury If
they return. Mr.. Berry denies that
the Long Branch roundhouse ts dis
rupted by lack of employment. as
the entire staff returned for work
this morning. He also adds that
despite reports to the contrary. Two
policemen, four patrolmen and De-
tective Walling, of this city, are now
in charge Of the company's property
at this place and will patrol at the
roundhouse, freight depot, etc.
The Central Railroad Of New Jer-
sey sent fifteen detectives here this
afternoon to work in conjunction
with the Long Branch authorities
in maintaining order. The strikers
will also demand full wages for the
time lost during the progress of the
strike before they will return to
work, 1t was learned this afternoon
The strikers also declare that all
the flagmen on the line will go out
at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning un-
less their demands are met by the
c0mDauV.