The Detroit times., 1913-02-18
LABOR FOLK SAY
THEY'RE AGAINST
LAWSON PLAN
Tell Mayor They Want Provision
for Better Wages and
Shorter Hours
DECLARE FOR FARES
ON SLIDING SCALE
Argue if Rates Too Low ID. u. X.
Will Take II Out on En-
plOyes and Passengers

Il do not think | am going 20 sup.
port the Lawson ordinance. Mayor
Marx told the officials OF the Detroit
Federation of Labor in a conference
in the executive office, Monday might.
AS a settlement what do you think
OF it?" asked X, l.. Reeves. secretary
OF the legislative committee OF the
federation and secretary OF the Anal
gamated Association OF Street and
Electric Railway Employees sf Amer
lea.
AS it stands today do not think
much OF it, replied the mayor.
This was the mayors first decided
statement against the ordinance.
The federation members came to
discuss the terms OF the proposed
ordinance with the mayor and 10 sub
NIT TO him a set OF resolutions adopt-
ed over year ago at the time tho
Thompson-Hally ordinance was being
discussed.
The street car men advocated an i'm
mediate arbitration agreement be
tween the company and its employees
better wages and shorter hours for the
car men; sliding rate OF fare; a nom.
inal rental or tax on tie ID. U. r.;
appointment of a commission TO look
after city's interests, and a guarantee
against loss OF money by company.
Reeves argued that the establish.
ment OF a fixed rate OF fare woulG
cause labor 10 suffer. He said that
high tax on the company would also
be relaid by high fares and low wages.
The company Is now paying a low
is stubborn disposition on the part
OF the company not TO give good
wages. The company employs 2300
motormen and conductors. Eighteen
hundred other employees in the shops
are not organized. If you tax the com
pany more than Is necessary you are
going TO relay that tax on the wage
Garner and the passenger. II there IL
a reduction Of fare, wages will be low
cred.
We do not argue for hve-cent
fare, but we do not want a fixed fare
that will in any way take from the
wages OF the men operating the cars.
A sufficient fare ought TO be charged
TO give the public good, faithful SER
vice"
Referring TO the Cleveland street
know why Detroit was considering a
less valuable one. He insisted that
the lawson ordinance does not guar
antee labor good wages, and that un-
der its terms the street car service is
problematical, adding that the Cleve'
land plan is good one for labor as
we'll as the wage Garner. Cleveland l.
now operating on a three-cent basis
The Detroit street car men are not
satisfied with their wages said
Reeves. There is very much disCon'
tent. Municipal operation may not
come for years, and, meanwhile. the
men are being held up. We want good
transportation, good service, good
operatives and then lower fares We
want the increase wages right off
He argued for a clause in the Ordi-
nance 20 provide for arbitration
1T is either that or the state mill
tia he said. Remember what hal
pcned last year Fortunately II was
peacefully settled. Mr.. Hally told us
when he was corporation counsel that
an ordinance providing for arbitration
could be passed without waiting for
4 settlement OF the street car queS-
ton. The city is unguarded against
"a serious condition. The men demand
more wages
Mayor Marx promised to take the
arbitration question up with Corpora
ton Counsel Lawson. He listened
patiently to what the labor men had
to say on all sides OF the question, out
he refused TO commit himself as favor.
able TO the committees suggestions,
The people are going 10 vote on
this question" said the mayor. eva
siyely.
What is your conception Of ar az
rangement with the company asked
Secretary Reeves.
I'VE want TO get low fares and ex.
tensions as soon as possible" said
the mayor. "You spoke about not
taxing the d. U. X. Ny idea is 10
get a crosstown line first OF all. We
desire a continuance of the Warren
ave. line on a three-cent fare basis,
day-to-day agreement. II the COM
pany did that and operated the Fort
st. line on the same basis, believe
we would be getting lot for the city.
don't think We ought to collect rent
then"
What advantage would the street
railway employees get out OF that?"
heIneHDeT, we are HeATeT the bOdi
than we have ever been. II the city
gets hold Of the lines, you will be-
treated all right"
That might or might not be so. D.
know OF one instance where city en-
ployes are confined in prisons for Is
and 20 hours a day. refer to the
city firemen. They ought to have
eight-hour shifts"
your honor" said Secretary
Reeves. in conclusion, IL have pre-
scented the appeal not only for our
selves, but for all the people"
The mayor replied that while he
was glad 70 talk with the men on any
question. he could not reply TO their
suggestions. off-hand.
Il want time TO think these things
over, he said. Maybe | will agree
with YOU and maybe | won't"
IF sou are against the appeal.