New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-04

of Hedley Hall. at Broadway and 24oth
Street. MIR Shonts urged the men to
elect by secret ballot n committee OF
subway and elevated employees as the
recognized authority Of the men IN
dealing with the company in all mat
tiers.
Declaration Of Loyalty.
Mr.. Shonts also read letter signed
by hundred elevated and subway
guards and motormen, declaring their
loyalty to the marlborough. Both the
suggestion OF the committee and the
letter were greeted with cheers. as was
the assertion Of Mr. Hedley that Will
lam ID. Mahon, head of the union
which is forcing trolley strike, was q
"piker" and should be sent back west
with his carpet bag.
Other developments in the situation
throughout the day. however, offered
seant hope that the spread Of the pres
ent strike would be prevented.
Mayor Mitchel's conference with the
two surface companies and the labor
leaders failed 20 arrive at basis Tor
peaceful settlement Of the conflict be-
tween the employees and the New YORK
Railways Company and the New YORK
& Queens County road.
Shonts REFUSES 10 ACT.
Mr.. Shonts refused positively 10 rec
arnize the union or treat with his en-
.,oyes as members Of the union. Will
lam O. Wood, president OF the queens
lines. took the same stand. Neither
would say whether he would discharge
men who Joined the union. 30 the
Mayor threw up his hands.
Oscar StrauS, chairman Of the Puollc
Service Commission, endeavored 10
prevent an extension of the strikes to
other lines pending the completion OF
the commissions inquiry into the lacts
OF the dispute and the merits OF the
disputants lie warned both SIDES that
any action BY either tending toward an
increase Of hostiiities before the end
OF the sessions would prejudice tnat
sides cause in the eyes Of the puohe'
The labor leaders protested IN VAN
against this expression OF opinion ana
then decided TO pay no attention 10 IT,
The demands for union recognition
and higher wages were sent 10 MI.
Hedley, OF the New YORK railways
COMPANY. in a letter signed by six en-
Moves Of the road who recently joined
the union. Mr.. Hedley will meet the
committee in his Office this afternoon.
Demand Made in Queens.
Six employees Of the Queens road sent
similar demands to William q. WOOD
His answer will be given to-day, but
the meeting of the Queens employees
last night forecast what that answer
will be. Hedley's answer is easily pre-
dicted: The company viii treat WIN us
own employees, as such, but not WIN
them as members of any union.
Out of the whole series OF confer
che fart became
clear: The companies affected and
about 10 be affected by the demands OF
their employees will not prevent the or
eanization of their men by dlscharging
organization men, but they Will not
treat with their men as organization
men-only as their own employees. ms
is regarded as meaningless 10 he
union. ..
The situation on the Third Avenue
system improved slightly yesterday. a
few more of the former employees OIL
the system returned to their JOBS ana
few more cars were operated IN Man
haitian. Out Of about 700 cars nor
mally run on the company's lines IN
Manhattan and Bronx, approximately
10 we're operated yesterday. EDWARD
A. Maher, vice-president and genera
manager Of the company, is so hopeful
OF breaking the strike on his system
that he said last night that although
he had received a cable from FREDERICK
W. Whitridge, president, who rs IN
Europe. he did not think il would be
necessary 10 ask Mr.. Whitridge to re-
turn at once.
Auto Transportation Ready.
Large corporations in New York
which employ great numbers Of men
are preparing to transport their men
10 and from work on automobile buses
or by other means Of conveyance.
Restlessness is reported among other
bodies Of workingmen, not alone
men employed in power plants
connected with railroad compa,,
MES in the city, but teamsters and
similar workers. The police depart
ment is prepared for whatever may
happen. Last night auto trucks were
ordered stationed at every station
house for hurrying reserves 10 any
part of the city.
Both sides in the conflict are hop
ing for certain advantages TO help them
win. Labor leaders are assured OF am
ple funds TO finance the threatened
strikes from Boston and other cities
in the East The union knows
that labor is scarce and that
this 10 the psychological time to
strike. The companies rely upon
recent wage increases and dement's TO
their men, as well as police protec-
ton, and the promise OF large ma
jority Of the men themselves that they
will stick, TO break the plans OF the
union officials.
A letter which W D. Mahon, presi-
dent of the carmen's union, sent to
Mayor Mitchell yesterday predicted a
"climax" tonight. The letter follows;
Ny Dear Mr.. Mayor:
note by reading the evening press
that you are quoted as saying that !
had agreed TO give you twenty-four
hours notice OF any suspension OF
work that might take place by any
Of the street railway men working on
the lines in the city that have not
already Joined in the strike. If that
was your understanding of our in
terview on the 1st, / must say that i
misunderstood you.
Nv understanding was that ! was
20 keep in touch with you ana your
office and 10 give you notice Of any OF
the movements OF the men looking
toward a suspension, in order that
you might use your good offices IN
trying TO bring about a settlement.
Promises to Mayor.
Having the promises ! made YOU
in view, as / understood them, i'm
mediately notified you, on receiving
the request that had been made by
the men employed by the two COM
panies.
We also requested that the men
withhold their notification from the
company until you would have an op-
pOrtunity TO take the same up with
|, them. 20 see what you could do in
n the way Of bringing about an under
es.rNtrC