New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-05

ridge and the men Mr.. Whitridge con
tended that the matter OF wages oil
scale of wages should be treated az one
scale for the entire Third Avenue sys'
tenn. II Is evident that the efforts wers
already under way to organize the men
on the Third Avenue system. THESE
efforts. il would appear, were accel'
Grated by the strike on the fonkefs
and Westchester lines, releasing the
men to meet with and Organize theii
brothers on the remainder of the THIRD
Avenue system.
There can be no question that the
strike on the Yonkers and Westcheste'
lines and the events which followed ~
the train Of this strike, including tne
strike on the other branches OF tne
Third Avenue Railroad and the threa',,
ened difficulties with the other lines oil
other companies throughout the city
came about as the immediate and log
cal result of the attitude Of Frederlcs
w. Whitridge, president OF the Ihiru
Avenue Railroad, and the actions ne
took in the matter prove concluslVep
that he either Intentionally violated the
agreement he had made with the men
to arbitrate, and which he was In honor
bound to keep, or that he was so neg
ligent in his duties to his stockholders
his EMPLOYEES and the public as TO for
get entirely this important agreement
No Obstacle to Conference.
1--WE have already developed the fact
that there is no real dlfnculty tha
stands in the way of the parties ge.-
ting together On both sides there rs
Willingness to arbitrate the only queS-
ton OF wages and working conditionS
that has thus far been presented. IN
deed. the union has stated that IL Is
legally bound by its constitution 70 ar
bitrate ell differences before declaring
a strike. The difficulty apparent pu'
not real-seems TO be that the men pc
lieye they would be prevented from eA-
ercising their legal right to organihei,
The statements 81 counsel Tor the l hiiu
Avenue system and OF the manager nov
make clear that whatever the persona
feelings of any officer may ne' tho
Third Avenue Railroad is not as q
raiIroad onposed to the organization OF
the men. and recognizes clearly theii
legal and moral right to organize. A..
"On the other hand, the men take
the position that they do not desire
the settlement of their grievances ny
any outsiders, Dut tHab Oh :,
shall be adjusted by committees OF the
men on the lines with their employers
and in explaining what they mean py
recognition of the union they nave
stated that they do not mean cioseo
shop. nor the exclusive employment OF
union men, nor the interference win
the management of the railroad by
the union.
ave think that this investigation hsS
already developed points upon whieh
the differences between the men and the
officials Of the railroad can be ADJUST,
ed. We have been assured by counsei
for the railroads that a meeting OF the
board of directors is TO be held next
Monday, at which authority is to be
vested in some one in the absence OF
Mr.. Whitridge.
p. S. c. Urges Conference.
without waiting for our complete
findings upon the evidence, we now
recommend that both sides get to-
gether, as il is apparent that from the
foregoing recital there are no sub
stantial differences between them
which would justify the continuance
of the conditions that now exist. We
believe If they take up this matter
promptly in the spirit in which the
Commission recommends they will GER
tainly arrive at a speedy and satlsfac-
tory conclusion"