New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-05
Wit SON WATTS STRIKE IS LAID
oNR.R. STRIKE TO WHITRIDGE
P. S. c. Opinion Says
He Ignored Agree
ment Made in 1913.

Union officials received the greatest
encouragement yesterday-in fact, the
greatest boom to their cause since
they came to New York-from Oscar
Straus. chairman of the Public Ser
vice Commission. In preliminary
Summing up with recommendation
of the sessions of the commissions
investigation of the facts underlying
the strike on the Third Avenue sys-
tenn he declared that the strike in
Yonkers and Westchester, spreading
10 Manhattan and The Bronx. and the
situation that mensced the whole city
were due to the attitude of Frederick
W. Whitridge, president of the Third
Avenue system. who is now in Europe.
The opinion OF the commission upset
Vice-President Maher and Alfred a.
Cook, the Third Avenue systems coun-
sci. Mr.. Cook entered a lengthy pro-
test against what he considered an
unjust aspersion upon the honor ana
decency OF Mr. Whitridge. He argued
in vain. He maintained that the com
pany had not had an opportunity 10
present all the facts in the case, out
Chairman Straus answered that the
opinion was simply preliminary one,
based or the evidence heard thus lar.
As result of the Public Service
Commissions hearings, though, the
strike on the Third Avenue system
may be arbitrated. The most hopeful
announcement since the threatening
situation developed was the statement
Of Mr.. Cook that he had succeeded in
calling a meeting of the Third Avenue
board of directors for Monday morn
ing 10 designate some one with power
10 handle the Third Avenue situation
in the absence of President Whitridge.
The boards last action gave power TO
Mr.. Whitridge to handle the matter.
General Manager Maher has taken
charge in the absence Of Mr.. Whit
ridge.
Cook Asks Instructions.
81 would like TO know" said Mr..
Cook, when his protest against the
commissions opinion was found TO De
futile, what the commissions instruc-
tions would be, so that when the board
of directors meets on Monday we may
handle the matter with promptness
and directness."
81 can't give you any directions
replied the chairman, "but this would
be my suggestion: That power be
vested in some one TO act; that that
person or persons take the matter up
with the men. have no right 70 sug-
gest or ask that it be taken up with
any one but the employees Of the COM
psny."
So it was finally decided that Mr.:
Cook would present the subject OF
arbitrating the differences between the
company and the car men TO the board
on Monday and try TO bring about an
adjustment. Both sides will receive
copies OF the commissions preliminary
when the board of directors acts Mr..
Cook and Louis Fridiger. counsel for
the Amslgsmated Association OF Street
and Electric Railway Employees. will
meet for a discussion of what may be
done to effect a settlement. Then both
parties will report back TO the COM
mission at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon.
Chairman Strauss opinion, con-
Cured in By the four other members
Of the commission, follows:
Gentlemen. | think f-om the testi-
mony that has been developed we have
arrived at q point where the commits
sion is justified 10 make a preliminary
summing up with recommendation.
without making anv formal finding
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