New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-08
HEDLEY DENIES
FORCING STRIKE
Continued from page |

pear until a half hour later Members
Of the commission exhibited some i'm
patience in the meantime, for it seemed
he was the man who could explain
everything.
When Mr.. Hedley at length appeared
julius Henry Cohen. special counsel
for the commission. told him of Mr..
Shonts's testimony.
81 didn't know of the action of the
board until to-day" said Mr.. Hediey
for the moment the Mr.. Hedley of the
surface line. "Mr. Shonts had told me
not to issue the contracts until | got
special instructions from him"
"Do you know when the railways
directors metz"
~ think it was some time Yesterday
morning"
when did you order the contract
forms distributed"
About $3.50 O'Clock this morning
Hedley Names Shonts.
Mr. Cohen, who took pains TO make
il plain his was not cross-eXamina-
ton, could not understand, apparently
why the orders of the directors had
not been followed. Mr.. Hedley of the
Railways. with legs crossed and chair
TIMED back, rocking uneasily. explain
ed
"Mr. Shonts knew was going to dis
tribute them. That was after the strike
had been declared
"Was there any question in your
mind as TO your right to distribute the
contract forms before the strike was
en-"
"No"
Then why did YOU waltz"
"Nr. Shonts told me to-
Mr. Hedley said he had been in the
habit of preparedness for thirty years
back but that II was only week ago
that he had begun to get ready to be
ready" for the present trouble.
~ can't say | was in sympathy with
the agreement" he admitted, under ex-
animation. But that made no differ
ence. II was my duty to obey orders.
Personally felt that we could get
along better and give better service 70
the public if we dealt with our men d.
rectiy. without outside interference"
"Do you think anything you have
done or said could have been provoca-
tive of this situation ?"
IL have a perfectly clear conscience
on that score, and would say, mo, no,
no."
"How about the discharge of Inter
borough men who conferred with you ~
al stated at the meeting that the men
were excused for that day only. told
them that If they did not report the fol
lowing day they would be dismissed.
That was after the threat had been
made TO 'paralyze traffic from fonkers
to Coney Island
con August 81 the situation seems
10 have been that the men believed
the distribution of working agreements
was n violation of the contract. Since
we are agreed that both sides were
bound to the principle OF arbitration,
what interfered with the disposition Of
the dispute by that method"
THAT wasn't discussed
Mr.. Cohen called Mr. Hedley's at
tention TO the record. While the lat
ter was studying it Frank l.. Quacken-
bush, general counsel for the Inter
borough, took n hand in the proceed
ings for the first time Taking his
suggestion, Mr.. Hedley said he had
understood the reference was TO the
Railways case.
But didn't you say on August 81"
asked Mr.. Cohen. that the INTERIOR
ough would follow the New York Rail
ways Company; that the directors Of
both companies were the same and that
you were willing TO proceed on the
theory that the same principles would
be adopted"
Yes"
"Then how did 1t happen that you