South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-09
IS
REJECTED BY
CAR COMPANY
Hardy Gives Governor State
ment Offering to Take Men
Back individually" Until
Saturday Morning.

The proposal TO arbitrate the
street car strike was rejected by the
company Wednesday.
Gen. Mgr. Francis l. Hardy per-
sonally presented Gov. Goodrich a
formal statement giving the com
panys reasons for declining the ar
filtration proposal. This statement
offers TO extend the time for the
strikers 10 return individually" TO
their positions until Saturday morn
| ing.
Mr.. Hardy left the city Tuesday
evening for Indianapolis and pre-
scented the statement during an in
terview with the governor Wednes-
day morning.
After reciting the events leading
up 10 the strike. Mr. Hardy's state
ment alleges that the men went on
strike without giving him time to
confer with the company's officers
He also declares that cars are be-
! ing run on regular schedule" by
competent and experienced men,
and says that it is manifestly unnec-
| essary TO submit the questions in
issue 10 arbitration.
Whether the men would accept
the opportunity 10 return 10 work
without recognition of the union
was a matter of much doubt.
Mr.. Hardys statement 10 the gov
ernor follows:
Here's COmpany's Position.
! Hon. James I. Goodrich,
Governor OF the State of Indiana,
Indianapolis, Indiana,
Dear Sir
Your message in reference 10 the
strike Of some OF the city motormen
and conductors in South Bend ad-
vising of request for a board Of con-
Citation and asking 10 be advised
Of the attitude of the company, re-
| ceived, noted and carefully consid-
cred.
ION Nov 25. 1919. Gov Ralston
representing the public. the COM
Pany, and every employee, each act
ing for himself entered into a con
tract providing for the adjustment
| of all grievances as 10 wages. hours
and working conditions. and provid-
ing for arbitration For more than
| three years this contract was in
force without dispute on Tuesday.
April "a, 1917, an organizer for the
Amalgamated Association OF Street
Railway Employees induced por-
ton of the city trainmen I'm South
| Bend 10 form a union on Friday
a contract was submitted by the
union demanding recognition Of the
union. increased wages. changes in
working conditions, etc, with a
threat that Gin direct violation OF
their contract) unless complied with
by noon the following day the union
| would proceed TO enforce the same
The general manager Of the COM
pany asked the men for time 70
confer with the officers OF the com
pany. calling their attention to their
contract with the company. and
stated that the company would com
ply with all the terms thereof This
request was ignored by so Of the
mOtormen and conductors of the
city lines in South Bend. who went
on strike Sunday morning refusing
20 recognize their contract 10 sub
nit all controversies 70 arbitration
"All the trainmen on the interur-
ban lines OF the Northern Indiana
land South Michigan companies and
lin Michigan City. Laporte Elkhart
Goshen and about 25 per cent OF
those in South Bend. complied with
their contract and refused 70 join in
the strike The officers took up the
question Of wages, hours and work
ing conditions and all other matters
in relation 10 the operation OF cars
With the employees who remained in
the company's service. and after
CONTINUED on PAGE 49,