New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-12
Subway Contractors Firm,
but p. S. Chairman Calls
New Conference.
UNION WAGE SCALE
STUMBLING BLOCK
Workers Representatives Will
Attend To-day Ready to
Answer Charges.

Oscar s. Straus, chairman Of the
Public Service Commission. has invited
representatives. of the striking subway
workmen and the contractors 10 confer
with him at 10 o'clock this morning, IN
the Commissions hearing rooms. for
another attempt at solving he con-
troversy which is delaying completion
Of the rapid transit contracts.
The step was taken in spite of the
protests OF the contractors that the two
previous meetings with the strikers
had proven fruitless. There is always
a chance Of arriving at a satisfactory
settlement of any dispute through the
medium OF conferences" Chairman
Straus is quoted as replying.
Contractors Still Unchanged.
II was learned at the Engineers Club,
SO West Fortieth Street, last night that
the general attitude OF the contractors
rs yet unchanged. They predict freely
that If the purpose o. the conference
to-day is to bring about their recogni-
ton Of the Tunnel and Subway Con-
structors' international Union the hopes
Of Chairman Straus viii be unrealizec.
The contractors are firm IN their ad-
herence 70 tho open shop for common
labor. IL was said.
"Whv should We give a union caro-
and pay union wages TO unskl He'd Ia
bor?" one of the contractors asked.
when asked if the contractors would
compromise providing recognition OF
the strikers union was eliminated from
the terms OF settlement. one OF their
spokesmen replied that they were pay
inc the limit of wages stipulated IN the
contracts with the city. All this ques-
ton of wages had been thrashsd out De-
fore, he said.
"F,vcrv dav and week that the work
is held up naturally affects the time
limit set for completion Of the sub
WAYS. but clauses in the contracts grant
an extension OF time providing the,
strike is called on the contractors and
not caused by them" he declared.
Frank y. Sullivan, attorney for the
Central Federated Unions and for the
strikers, said last night: 81 will be on
hand at the rooms of the Public Service
Commission tomorrow morning and !
am willing TO meet the contractors II
they are there" He said that he would
not bring up the accusation he had
made against the contractors that they
were trying TO incite the strikers TO
violence, unless they started the ball
rolling. "The strikers will hold out for
recognition OF the union Mr.. sullivan
said. 1--WE are prepared for any move
that the employers may make.
Engineers Places Open.
In view of the conference to-day
George II. Clark Of the Holbrook, Ca
bot & Rollins Construction Company
announced that no attempt would be
made 20 fill the places of the 100 en-
ginners who Joined the general strike
Yesterday morning. Until these men
have a chance 70 express themselves
IN the strike they can come back TO
work" Mr.. Clark said. "The engineers
will hold a meeting tomorrow night
~ Breevort Hall, 1874 East Fifty-fourth
Street
Union officials received reports yes
torday that 100 members OF the Mu-
nicipal Dockbuilders' Union, who had
been working in the Eastern Parkway
subway section of Brooklyn. went on
strike when they were informed by
delegates that they were virtually
"scabbing" in filling the places made
vacant by striking timbermen.
An appeal to the Brooklyn police
asking for fair play was filed yester-
dav by committee for the sand hogs,
who left their work in the Clark Street
tunnel TO ioin the strike.