New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-06
81" AND SUBWAY
STRIKE NOT FEARED
Continued from page I

latest the necessary order will be
voted.
That the union has enrolled sub
stantial part Of the IT, and subway
organization Is a certainty. This WORK
has been going on Tor over wees,
ami, while Shoats, Hedley and their
lieutenants were busy Friday night
trying to keep the green cars OF the
New YORK Railways running, fitI-
gerald and his aides were addressing
three secret meetings OF lnteroorough
employees. The result OF this meeting
and the demands OF the men FltSgera'd
made public yesterday.
The publication OF the demands OF
tho men is the only notification that
has 40 far been sent to the company.
II is doubtful II more formal notice IS
taken, for the present at least, WIN
lam u Nahon, president OF the Anal
gamated. taking the position last night
That inasmuch as President Shonts and
General Manager Hedley insist on COM
rnunicating with their employees
through newspaper advertisements
thew must be consistent and not md
fault if their employees communicate
with them through newspaper an
nouncements. ,
"The Interborough has its notice,
said Mahon. 1T knows what the men
are doing and what they want. II can
take any action it wishes. 1t 10 OF no
use to send formal communications To
gentlemen who ignore them"
Motormen More Important.
In the subway and elevated situation
the key, as viewed by the company Of
6cials and to great extent by the
unions. is the motorman. IL was the
Iovaltv Of the motormen TO the com
pany which permitted it TO break the
subway strike Of 1905. At that time
the motormen were for the most part,
IL not wholly, members of the Brother
hood of Locomotive Engineers, an in
heritance from the old days when the
elevated was operated with steam loco
Then, running tru. 70 its established
precedent of lighting alone and keeping
out of what might be termed sympa..
thctic strikes, the brotherhood was OF
immense aid TO the company.
This state of affairs, however, no
longer exists. Through natural causes
the old men in the employ of the COM
many have gradually been eliminated,
and. according 10 the union men, the
others have been gradually dispensed
with one one pretence or another, but
really because of their known labor af-
filiations, until to-day but few of these
men are left.
In favor Of the company. however, is
the fact that a great many of the men
EMPLOYED as motormen in the subway
and on the al" are beyond the age
limit at which they could expect to
secure positions on other roads and
have reached that status where in the
near future they hope TO be retired on
pensions. These men are reluctant 10
take any step that will jeopardlze
further employment and insure the
loss OF possible pension.
Against this the fact stands out that
the men on the subway lines have not
been altogether satisfied with their
conditions and have from time TO time
shown an inclination and desire to or
eanize. For this reason the Amalga-
mated's organizers had no difficulty in
forming the nucleus of a union and
perfecting il 20 the extent that they
feel justified in formulating these dc
mands:
First-That the Interborough men
be allowed to organize their union and
be allowed themselves 10 decide the
union they wanted TO join without any
interference in any way by the officials
Of the company.
Second-That the company agree 70
meet and treat with the duly accredit-
ed officers and committeeman OF their
organization upon all questions tina,
may arise between them in the future.
Third-That the company be request
ed 20 wipe out the long graded scale
which in some cases covers eight year.
OF service before an employe reaches
the maximum pay.
Fourth, that the company establish
the following wages: Conductors, first
year in service. rs cents an hour; see
ond year and thereafter in service,
thirty cents per hour. Guards, first
year in service, rs cents per hour; after
one year, 81 cents per hour. Motormen
handling trains in subway and elevated.
frst year in service, 81 cents per hour;
after one year in service, 43 cents per
hour.