New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-23
Conference Between He'd
ley and Union Men
Proves Love Feast.
BOTH SIDES SEEKING
TO do FAIR THING"
Adjourn Till Tomorrow
Without Deciding Cases
of Discharged Men.

Frank Hedley, general manager Of the
New York Railways Company, and a
committee of the car mems union, head
ed by William h. Fitzgerald, yesterday
discussed the cases of men discharged
since the recent strike. After a three
hour conference, notable for the exhibit
ton on both sides Of a desire to get to-
gether, they adjourned until tomorrow
without reaching a decision.
Earlier in the day the fourteen men
whose discharge at the conclusion OF the
recent strike threatened to cause trouble
until Mayor Mitchell secured their rein
statement, reported for duty and were
given back their old runs.
The meeting yesterday was as near q
love feast as a meeting Of employer and
employe to discuss grievances well can
be. Mr.. Hedley expressed a desire to
treat the men fairly, and Mr.. Fitzgerald
said he wanted to work out some sys-
tenn that would be fair to the company
and to the men.
Meeting a Love Feast.
Thus, when it appeared one OF the
men dismissed for failing to report for
duty was late because his brother was
having an eye removed, Mr.. Hedley de-
clared such an excuse should be sut-
ficient and expressed sympathy for the
man; while Mr.. Fitzgerald, during the
discussion of the case of another man
dropped for frequent tradiness, de-
clared something should be done to
"habitual missers."
The hearing brought to light an I'M
usual conversion TO unionism In the
case of Daniel Blatt. Blatt was hired
as a strike breaker. Half an hour after
he began work he joined the union. At
the conclusion of the strike he was
discharged His case will be taken up
! later in detail.
In some of the cases the company
presented affidavits to show conductors
had been knocking down" substantial
part of their collections and that other
men had been insubordinate and aou-
sive to superiors.
Trouble Believed Over.
When the meeting adjourned, Messrs.
Hedley and Quackenbush, who, with
General Superintendent Keegan, had
presented the company's case at the
conference, expressed themselves as
pleased with the progress made.
81 believe we will reach an agree
ment on some of these cases. said Mr..
Hedley. "Others will probably have to
be arbitrated. Fitzgerald and his as
sociates have certainly shown desire
to be fair" =,
Mr.. Fitzgerald and Mr. Hedley agreed
in the belief there would be no further
trouble.
1--WE got along without any friction
to-day and the company seemed willing
70 meet is half way" said Mr.. Fltz-
gerald. I'VE don't ask anything that
is not coming to US"
Inc grievances VI lhc h'H ~ ~"
matter of working conditions and
wages will be taken up tomorrow, but
the best either side hopes for is an
agreement on some minor matters and
the clearing of the general situation so
il can be arbitrated without unneces-
sary delay. The man named as most
likely to represent the union IN the
arbitration proceedings is James II.
Vahey of Boston.
Subway Demands Unfinished.
The demands of the al and subway
employees have not been completed.
The committee in charge is still fran
ing the letter it will send the Inter
borough officials, and it may be late IN
the week before it is dispatched.
William ID. Mahon, president OF the
Amalgamated Association, who arrived
in New York yesterday. will leave Tor
Washington to-day to confer with
Samuel Gompers and other officials OF
the American Federation OF Labor be-
fore sailing for England on Saturday
to attend the British Trades Congress
as a fraternal delegate.
II certainly am pleased with the way
things have worked out here" he said