New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-03
SUBWAY DIGGERS
VOTE TO STRIKE
Fifteen Thousand Will
Quit This Morning,
Labor Leaders Say.

Seven thousand subway workers, who
claim that they represent % per cent
of the men employed on New Yorks
new underground railways, voted
unanimously yesterday to strike at
once for higher wages, recognition OF
their union and closer observance OF
the eight-hour law on the part OF the
contractors.
This morning, il the assertions OF
the strike leaders are to be believed
10000 timbermen. timbernen's helpers
and laborers will quit, and work on the
citv's new tunnels will be practically
stopped.
The men who voted for the strike
met yesterday morning at 2O6 and ZOS
East 12Sth Street. Seven thousand
TANNED their way into the building
Police say that at least 1000 more wero
turned away. After the question OF the
/ strike had been put 20 a rising vote
and passed unanimously, the men we're
| told 10 disperse quietly. return 20 their
homes and to-day report at their posts
/ In the subways and carry their KITS
AWAY. They were also warned 20 keep
away from saloons and refrain from
heated conversation about the strihe.
Heads Of the various contracting
/ firms affected by the strike were unable
last night TO predict how greatly they
would be crippled by the action OF ther
/ workers. Wilson 5. Kinnear, president
/ Of the United States Realty and I'm
provement Company, admitted that ne
/ believed his concern would De nam .
pered considerably by the decision OF
3 The union. at will be impossible 70
saw how much" he added. until we hnG
/ out just how many of our workers "aiH
out"
/ long is affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor. II is known as
the International Tunnel and subway
/ Constructors' Union. The claim OF TINS
body is that by striking the WORK on
the subways will be brought absolutely
70 a standstill. The war, members say
has swept away practically all surplus
labor. Italians and Poles. they say
have gone back 20 Europe in great mum
hers and the demands Of the muni-
,ions factories have drained away most
Of the remaining unemployed.
William 7. Schmuck, secretary or the
Deguon Construction ComI>-ly, denied
this last night. The LABOR HarNe' -
GOOD ne said. eve have had no
trouble getting our men. Personally l
do not believe that many OF our EN-
ploves will join the strike. We had a
/ long conference when the subject OF
tbc union was first brought up ana
found that practically all those on our
payroU were contented and had no ldes
Of risking their jobs BY following the
. union
Leaders Of the strike say that IT mas
becn brewing since last June. They
have used every influence, they say 10
avert the trouble. and have appealed
20 Mayor Mitchell. the Public Service
Commission and the Contractors FRO,
.ectiye Association for consideration OF
their complaints without result Ihey
also suggested that n committee OF the
union be selected 20 present their
grievances before committee OF the
contractors, but received no reply 10
that proposal.
They now demand that their employ,
ers live up 10 the eight-hour law, ana
a,k that The wage scale be raised Tor
fimbermen from $3.50 20 $3.50 a DAY,
for tirnberrnen's helpers from kZ.zo 20
~ 40 and for laborers from $l.7o 70 ~.
The hard rock men drillers and the
Uke-will, II IL believed. remain out OF
Inc ,trike. These, however. comprise
only about 3 per cent Of the lsborihg
force.