New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-07
/. r. T. Organization Plan
Outgenerals Union Heads
Car Men Believed Their Battle Won After Third Avenue
Settlement-ndividual Contracts Obtained from Thou
sands by marlborough Caught Them Mapping

IF the Interborougn really mas 1000
Of It's 11.70O men bound under individ-
ual contract, as Mr. Shonts and Mr.
Hedley assert, they have outgeneralled
the union organizers in remarkable
fashion. For on the face Of It those
who have put their signatures 20 the
so-called master and servant agree
ments are tied 10 their jobs for two
years and might be liable 20 civil suit
and judgment should they for any rea-
son quit work within that period With
this club held over them, the contract
ing parties OF the second part could
scarcely be expected TO join readily
once the company's recourse had been
made clear 70 them-in any sympa-
thetic walkout.
Perhaps TINS legal angle did not pre-
sent itself at once 20 the carmen
leaders. Probably so, since 1t is
scarcely conceivable that their own
organizers in Interborough employ did
not report back to headquarters the
first appearance OF the contracts.
Union Leaders Outgeneralled.
That Fitzgerald and mis- aids now
realize how neatly they were tricked
and that they have known it for several
DAYS is certain. In their strike ultima
tum they demanded only one comes
sion-tnat the contracts be cancelled
and that the right 20 strike, the
unions only weapon TO enforce It's de-
mands. be returned TO them.
When Fitzgerald threatened few
DAYS ago 10 "paralyze the transit OF
New York as il never mas been para
lyzed before" he made an incidental re-
mark 70 the effect that the Amalga
mated Association Of Electric and
Street Railway Employees had within
its grasp an opportunity for which u
had been waiting twenty years.
That is true. Ever since il sprsng
into existence the carmen's union has
looked longingly toward New YORK.
One bv one IL has conquered cities Of
lesser importance, gaming strength and
reserve funds from year 20 year. Last
wear il succeeded in unioniZlng the
street railways Of Chicago, the second
biggest game in the country.
Locked Door Ended Strike.
The Chicago strike is worthy OF a
paragraph Of its own, as showing d
strenuous method OF settlement which
NAV be adopted by Mayor Mitchell.
Hardly had the Chicago surface cars
and elevated lines suspended opera
tions. when William Hale Thompson,
the cowboy Mayor" called employers
and union heads into MS Office When
they failed 20 display amlcable ten
denotes he locked the door and a.
nounced IL would stay locked until
some agreement was reached. WITH
each hour that passed employers and
men grew more tired Of arguments that
led nowhere and more stated with the
simple scenery. They grew hungrler'
too-and when they wanted 20 get out
badly enough they came 20 terms with
rush.
Not long after the capitulstion Of
Chicago the Amalgamated turned ITS
attention 20 New York. Its leaders had
been planning the attack for many
years, and they set 20 WORK Ike chess
PLAYERS. They made their opening
through the suburbs. with every one
OF the moves mapped which should lead
eventually 20 the elevated lines and
the subways. the king and queen Of the
traction board
First the cars 2 southern Westcnes-
ter County were tied up. The great
majority OF the public had no concern
with that and little attention was paid