New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-11

the Interborough in presenting in
d;vidual contracts to its men.
In presenting the case emphasis was
laid upon the assertions of James L..
Quackenbush. general attorney for the
lnterborough and the New York Rail-
ways. before the Public Service Com
mission Of the intention Of the corpora
tions to crush out unionism and the re-
fusals Of the companies TO submit the
contract question ~ arbitration.
After this had been put IN the rep
resentatives of various trades were
called and presented their views and
the positions they expected their or
CARNATIONS would take on the question
of a general strike All declared their
sympathy, financial and moral, with
the car men, and some guaranteed
willingness TO strike. The question OF
refraining TO patronize traction lines
was also approved.
Contracts Cause Doubt.
Some, however, took the position that
strikes BIZ their organizations were
doubtful because of existing contracts
and the necessity of obtaining sp
proval by the national officers. Names
Of the organizations whose leaders took
that position were withheld, as indeed
were the names Of those who took the
opposite position.
IL was s o'clock when the conference
OF the subcommittee with the men OF
the various trades was ended. Then
for the better part OF an hour Mr.. Com
pers and the members canvassed the
situation. it being agreed that the con.
ference should recommend a general
strike and have full charge Of the local
situation, and that Mr.. Gompers. as
president Of the American Federation,
and as such in charge of the general
situation, should issue a statement.
This statement, issued just before
o'clock, was as follows:
"a conference consisting Of the
officers of the New York Central Fed
Grated Union, the Brooklyn Central
Federated Union, the president OF the
New York Federation OF Labor and rep
resentAtives OF the Amalgamated As
sociation Of Street and Electric Railway
Employees met in the Hotel Continental
for the purpose of considering the STU
alton in regards 10 the efforts made
by the officers Of the Interborough
Rapid Transit Company and the New
York Railways Company, the Third Ave
nue. Railroad Company and the Second
Avenue Railroad Company 10 crush out
the spirit of organization among the
EMPLOYEES of the railroads and the
strike, or more properly speaking, the
lockout insugurated against the men.
There are now more than $4,000 men,
who have refused to submit TO the rail-
road companies dictation, and more are
leaving the service hourly, until there
e. and trains
ton.
Call Strike Victory.
Prom the standpoint Of the strike
or lockout the situation is well in hand.
The spirit Of the men is OF the best
and they are determined TO exercise
their right 70 organize, the right TO
strive nationally and normally for the
Improvement Of their condition as en-
ployes Of the companies and 20 have
submitted 10 board OF arbitration
such matters upon which differences
the committee Of employees and the rep
resentatives Of the companies fan 10
adjust.
IThe conference represented the
wage earners in Greater New York and
vicinity. and on behalf Of themselves
and those they represent pledge to the
striking street railway men their in
ciyidual moral and financial support;
that they will do and urge their fellow
workers, union or non-union, 70 render
their moral and financial support TO
the contesting street railway men;
that the great rank and file Of the
workers OF Greater New York and vi
cinity will DO nothing directly or in
directly that will aid the railway com
pnnies in their effort 70 defeat the
men and crush the spirit of the unions;
that the conference calls upon the Off
GERS Of the government. Of the City Of
New York TO insist upon the specific
performances owed the city and the
people thereof; that the people Of the
City Of New York, though ineonve-
nienced, are appealed 10 20 refrain
from patronizing the cars and rail
roads in this present conflict until the
companies agree TO come 20 an adjust
nent Of the present controversy with
mutual honor and advantage.
This is the position which heartily
endorse. SAMUEL GOMPERS"
Plan Series OF Meetings.
This. Mr.. Gompcrs declared later, in
cluded everything he had TO say on the
situation al this time.
II was announced that the confer
ence had organized permanently, with