The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-01-08
STRIKE VOTE is
EASILY CARRIED
COUNTING OF RAILROAD CLERKS
BALLOTS SHOWED IT FAVOR
ED. $40 TO 10.
NO SENTIMENT FROM 200
Forester Says Action Means What 1t
Says If Fair Settlement Is Not
Reached.

New Haven, Jan. 8-The clerks of
the New York, New Haven and Hart
ford railroad, who have been potIed
on the strike question, have voted for
a general strike throughout the sys-
tenn in case the three major demands
of the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks,
now in process here with officials of
the road, are not agreed to satisfac-
tori1y. The result of the vote as
nounced yesterday afternoon at $50
by the teIlerS F. s Brighton, general
chairman of the Order of Railway. con-
ductors, and E. J. Manion of this city,
general chairman of the Order of Rail
road Telegraphers, stood 679 in favor
of a strike, 70 opposed to it, and two
discarded ballots. Seven hundred and
fifty-four votes were cast, representing
the clerks of the transportation de-
partment, including all ticket clerks
not under the general passenger agent
The total number of clerks on the di-
visions polled is 957, 203 of whom did
not vote.
James J. Forester, of Kansas.
grand yice-president of the Brother
hood of Railway Clerks, who has been
here conducting the negotiations in
behalf of the clerks, when asked II the
vote actually meant strike, said:
stances. As long as negotiations are
under way, with results, no strike Or
ing been taken, it means just what
it reads, that, unless d fair settlement
fair to the clerks, of course, is made,
the result of the ballot will be put
into effect
Practically all of the demands of
the clerks except the three major ones,
the establishment of a minimum wage
scale at/S2.25 per day; the institution
of an eight hour day for the clerks,
and an increase of twenty-five cents
per day for all employees whose duties
work or office duties Of any nature,
for a period of three hours daily, or
more, were complied with. Twenty
seven other demands, covering promo
ton, pay for extra work, overtime pay
for work done during time allotted for
meals; fifteen days vacation with pay;
transportation to cover change OF posi-
ton on the same system, etc We're
agreed to without contention on the
part of the road.
The ballots were sent in the form
cles of agreement to be subscribed to
by the railroad, and voters We're re-
quested to insert name and station,
with the word ttfor'' or against" a
strike The ballot specifies that he,
who signs his name to it, withdraws
his services, or does not. until such
cede to requests to include the Har-
lem River Transfer office, to grant
fair working rules, an increase in pay,
and a fair minimum wage, or immedi-
ate1y after the conclusion of such ne
gotiations to meet committee com
posed of three shop clerks, and three
members of, the railway clerks COM
mittee to agree on working rules, an
increase in pay, and minimum wage
for the clerks in that branch of the
service
Mr.. Forester made it clear that be-
fore any action is taken the officials
of the road and the general public will
be given 4S hours warning before the
walkout- In the meantime negotfa-
lions will continue.
B. r. Pollock, general superintend-
ent of the road was detained at Bos-
ton last night, so there was no con-
ference yesterday, but the sessions will
be resumed today.
The clerks have adopted an atti-
tude of no compromise and will not
bulge one iota from their original
demands, increased wages. an eight
hour day, and minimum wage scale.