New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-03

? Demands for a wage Increase and
recognition of the garments union were
formally made yesterday by the en-
ployes of the New York Railways Com
pany and the New York & Queens
County Railway Company, which op-
crate all the green cars in Manhattan
and Queens. These demands are SINH
lar to those made upon the Third Ave-
nue. system.
Mayor Orders Conference.
Copies of the demands were imme-
diately presented TO Mayor Mitchell by
William d. Mahon, president Of the
Amalgamated Association Of Street and
Electric Railway Employees In his Sec
ond effort to settle the differences tho
Mayor az once arranged a conference
for this morning, at the City Hall, be-
tween Mahon, William B. Fitzgerald,
Louis Tridger, counsel for the carmen.
and other union officials, and Theodore
P. Shonts, president of the INTERIOR
-
ing concern for the green car systems.
This conference appears foredoomed
to failure, in view OF the fact that
Mr.. Shonts has repeatedly stated that
he is unalterably opposed to the or
ganization Of his employees, and that
the union officials have fatty refused
to arbtrate the question Of organiza-
ton.
Last night the situation was made
more threatening By the statement Of
union officials that the organization
of the streetcar employees In Staten
Island has been virtually completed,
and that a majority Of the men en-
ployed on sixteen lines Of the Brook
lyn Rapid Transit Company have
joined the union.
Mayor Mitchell, it is understood,
will urge both sides to make conces-
sions in order 70 prevent a complete
decentralization of streetcar service.
Interborough Raises Wages.
The Interborough met the activities
Of the union officials who are seeking
to organize its employees by announc-
ing Yesterday, through Mr. Shonts, an
increase in wages affecting every class
OF employe IN the station and oDerat-
ing departments Of the subway and
elevated lines. This increase ranges
from 10 cents TO 90 cents a day, and
concerns guards, conductors, motor
men, towermen, switchmen, special Off
GERS and others. Il IS effective as from
August /.
Two hours after the announcement
Of the new wage scale Mr. Fitzgerald
declared that II would not check or
affect in any manner the organization
Of the subway and elevated men.
The Public Service Commission yes
terday began an investigation into the
causes that led up 20 the strike on the
Third Avenue system in Westchester,
The Bronx and Manhattan. This in
yestigation is expected 20 result in a
recommendation 20 the Legislature for
the formation % a wage board, which
shall have power 10 regulate wages on
street railway and electric lines.
Union Was Recognized.
Perhaps the most important devel-
opment OF the hearing yesterday was
the admission by Edward A. Maher,
jr., tNat the Third Avenue system had
recognized the union IN so FAR as Il
concerned the Yonkers and Westches-
ter lines, and that Frederick W. Whit
ridge, receiver and the head OF the
company, had agreed 10 1913 20 submit
to arbitration all differences arising
between the road and its employees
With the likelihood that the strike
will spread 20 Queens. the Police De-
partment took steps yesterday 10 put