New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-04

ing 10 interfere with the proper con-
duct Of New York's transit facilities
MIR. Shonts said:
Eve. like you. Mr.. Mayor, are re
sponsible 20 New York City alone. we
have sought TO conduct our affairs IN
the light Of that supreme responsi-
bility. We are not resisting our men,
We have had no communication from
any ~ our employees. We had believed
and we still believe that our relations
with the men are as satisfactory as hu-
man relations usually are and constant
ly improving.
1--WE know that there has been no
strike vote among our employees. We
know that the rank and file have given
no one authority TO call strike. We
recognize the unlimited possibilities
arising out of threats and intimidation
and that n number of men may be IN
duced TO strike. Many others. IN no
sense desiring TO leave their jobs.
might. out of fear on account OF
threats, consider il better to remain
away from work until the trouble is
settled.
an the event that any effort is made
tot rush the situation and precipitate
trouble. all we ask is that the city au-
thorities protect passengers and our
loyal uniformed employees from molesta-
ton"
No Bar to Union Men.
yesterday was informed" said the
Mayor, opening the conference, that a
general strike was imminent, and for
this reason | have called conference.
The strike leaders told me that certain
men working on the Lexington Avenue
line were discharged because they
Joined the union, and for this and other
reasons a walkout was threatened"
$50 far as the claim that tfour men
were discharged by our company for
joining the union is concerned re-
torted Mr.. ShontS. that is not correct.
Only one man was discharged, and not
for joining any union, but for open and
fragrant characterization.
81 was struck by the difference be-
tween the attitude of our men and the
character of the demands made, and !
decided to 60 TO the men and learn
the true facts" continued Mr.. Shonts.
81 said TO the men, i am here to hear
what you have 10 say. as | understand
that certain outside labor officials pre-
sent certain demands 10 us. Is that
true? Have you requested any one TO
make these demands? There was a
unanimous mo from the men"
"Will the company agree to allow
its employees to organize" asked the
Mayor.
Seeking Employees Views.
an view of my talks with the men,
replied Mr.. Shonts, "and their evident
lack of desire TO have outsiders take a
hand in their affairs, | think Il would
L - &c. 1-
til have finished fuller investigation
of the wishes of the men,"
ain the matter Of wages, are you
willing TO submit this 70 arbIration :"
asked the Mayor.
81 don't believe any question has
arisen" said Mr. Shonts, (which we
can't dispose of ourselves Why meet
that matter before it arises ?"
"Mr. Shonts," the Mayor asked. just
before he finished with the INTERIOR
ough head, will you promise me that
your company will not discharge men
for becoming unionized|
81 can promise that" replied Mr..
Shonts. 1--WE never have nor never Will
fire a man for becoming unionized."
Mr.. Wood of the Queens road, took
practically the same stand.
Queens service PROMISED.
81 am not a boastful man." he said,
"but | can say that we have been up
against it before, and are prepared to
continue our service in spite Of what
may happen"
What is your company's belief Of
the right of the men to organize ~
asked the Mayor of Mr.. Wood.
The great majority OF them do not
assent to the agitation which has been
going on" said Mr. Wood. ''They pre-
fer not to have the road unionized.
The sentiment against this is so strong
we don't want the union TO take charge
of our labor matters"
"Will the company permit the men to
organize"
1--WE object 10 the men organizing as
now proposed"
as the company prepared TO give as
surance that it will use no interference
or intimidation ,"
"No, we will not use intimidation or
coercion" s11aa
"will the company give assurance
that il will not discharge men who
Join the union ?" -f
1--WE will give no assurance on any
thing relating to matters between the
company and its men. We will give no
assurance as to how we will handle this
affair. The company takes the position
that it will not recognize the union as
to wages. In the eight years ! nave
been connected with the company the
pay Of motormen has been raised 25 10
40 per cent. 1t is not prepared to SO
further al this time. Generally, the at
titude Of the company is that it has
done as much for the men as il is able
financially to do
p. s. c. Broadens Hearing.
The Public Service Commission S
hearings were broadened TO take IN the
difficulties of the employees and man
ayers of the New York Railways Com
pany and the New York and Queens
Company. Chairman Straus also made
it plain to all concerned that the pub
lie has a paramount interest in the con
troversy which transcends the Interests
Of the employees and the company.
The railroad and the operators,
said Mr.. Straus, "are not the only par
ties interested. There is a third party
Of far greater Importance than either
Of the two contestants and that Is the
general public Our function here is
to investigate the facts and TO bring
cut the truth, and afterward lay it be-
] lOre tne puDilC llhPol AIaliy oAu ~ "P
portion the blame wherever it belongs
so that the great public will know how
90 Judge this controversy and where
the fault lies.
in the meantime | appeal both to
the railroads and TO the operators that
nothing should be done 10 increase the
difficulties as now existing. For
whichever side does that will place it
self. justly and properly so, in a preju-
diced condition before the public.
This is an impartial investigation.
The public is entitled to know the
truth and we propose TO give it 10
them. But if pending this investiga-
ton, which will be carried on expe-
ditiously, and pending the report of
th.s communication for such action as N