New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-16
Railroad Strike Called,
Men Quit Tomorrow
Strike Chiefs Give
New York 5 DAYS
ToCet Food Supply
May Also Permit Milk Train.
to Run; Prices Already
Mounting; Mayor to Act

Five days of grace will be granted
TO New York after a walkout of rail
road trainmen IN which TO lay in food
supplies. There is a possibility, but
a possibility only, that milk trains will
be permitted to operate throughout the
strike.
The brotherhood chiefs made this
Concession" yesterday in response tc
an appeal of the city's food commits
sion. After its lapse city officials pre-
dicted acute suffering would result
from the cutting of New York off from
its food sources within a week after
the calling of strike.
Joseph Hartigan, secretary of the
Mayors Food Committee, sent two
propositions to the conference COM
mittee of the railways, one addressed
TO the railroad managers, the other
to the brotherhood leaders. The OBJ
ject in each case was to cause an
agreement to be reached under which
the city would be guaranteed an un-
interrupted supply of food.
Proposal TO Trainmen
The proposal to the trainmen asked:
THAT the Brotherhood of Rail-
way Employees agree and guarantee,
in the event of a strike on any of
the railroads of the United States
affected by their authority, that
supplies of food and fuel for all
destinations shall be permitted un-
81
rangements shall be entered into
forthwith with the railroads to
furnish proper working crews for
such freight and transportation.
These proposals are submitted,
urging that immediate consideration
be given TO them, in view Of the
obvious conditions which will arise
in the event of either partial or
general railroad strike throughout
the country, more particularly, how
ever, having in mind it's effect upon
q city like New York, which depends
for 95 per cent of its food supplies
and upon all Of its fuel upon sec
tions at great distances from New
York.
Five-Day Pledge Given
The response of the brotherhood
leaders said:
Every indication now seems TO war
rant the statement that the freight
train, engine and yard employees on
certain railways entering this city
will peacefully withdraw from ser
vice at z p. m. Saturday, March H.,
and that the employees on other lines
will continue in service for several
days thereafter, making it possible,
in our opinion, TO furnish this city
food and fuel supplies for several
days after the strike becomes ef-
tective.
We regret exceedingly the neces-
sity of mountaineering the public IN
any way, and have declined to give
our approval for the stoppage of the
work of regular road passenger en-
ployes for a period of five days after
the strike becomes effective, the result
of which will be that regular pas
senger trains handling only paSseen
ger equipment, as well as regular
milk trains, can operate as usual.
The threatened strike showed
marked effect upon wholesale prices Of
foods during the day-a hint Of what
might be expected in the event of
long drawn out struggle that would
cut off the city from the sources OF
supply. Market experts said that prac-
tically all of the big dealers were at.
tempting TO lay in supplies of food
greater than required for their I'M
mediate needs, thus forcing IN the
prices.
Perkins Summoned from Florida
Although 3O,OOOOOO eggs arrived in
the city during the day, the largest
shipment Of any single day for many
months, wholesale prices were slightly
increased.
Mayor Mitchell communicated with
George w. Perkins. head of both the
state and city committees on food in
vestieation, who is in Florida MI
Perkins is expected back in the city
on Sunday, when he will Immediately
call a conference for the purpose OF
outlining methods Of handling the
city's food supply.
The question of operating milk trains
was carried to President Wilson by the
New York Milk Dealers Conference
Board. The organization wired a re-
quest to the President that he use his
influence 20 cause the trainmen TO keep
this traffic from stopping.
Because of the condition Of the
roads. making it practically impossible
TO move food supplies from inland by
motor trucks, the position Of the city,
in the event Of strike, will become
acute within three days after the cut
ting of Of rail communication said
John j. Dillon, State Commissioner OF
Foods and Markets.
Fresh supplies of butter, cheese and
eggs, wheat and meat come from west
Of Buffalo. These regions cannot be
tapped without the aid of the railroads.
Most Of our fresh vegetables come from
the West and South, and, as a conse-
ouence. would be cut of, except by
water"