New-York tribune., 1918-06-15
Spread of Strike
On Subways to City
Work Is Averted
Possibility of Settlement In
creased When Municipal
Boards Agree to Confer

The prospect of laborers on city
work going on strike in sympathy with
the men now out on the unfinished
subways was temporarily averted and
the possibility Of a settlement of the
subway strike was developed yester-
day, when the Board of Estimate
consented to confer with the Public Ser
vice Commission to-day. After three
hour discussion of the subway situa-
tion the conference was fixed for $3.50
q. M, on the motion of President
Smith of the Board Of Aldermen.
The board, however, adopted a reso-
luton reiteratng its approval of the
plan of adjustment presented in the
opinion Of the Corporation Counsel
on June 7, which left the matter Of
settlement with the contractors en-
tirely in the hands of Controller Craig.
There was no promise on the part Of
the board that 1t would consider an
adjustment under the Lockwood law,
which has been insisted upon by the
contractors ard advised by the Pub
lie Service Commission.
Puts Settlement Up to City
Ex-Justice William L. Ransom, chief
counsel for the Public Service Commits
sion, appeared before the board and ex-
pressed the Willingness of the commits
sion to cooperate with the city officials
in any way it could. At the same time
Judge Ransom pointed out that prob
ably successful cooperation would mean
joint action under the Lockwood law.
He made it clear that the commission
to agree to the plan proposed by the
city.
The resolution, passed after a good
deal of heated argument, stated "that
the Board of Estimate hereby reiterates
its approval of the plan presented in
the opinion Of the Corporation Counsel
on June Z, 1918, for the relief of the
contractors of subway construction by
q. speedy settlement and payment Of
their just claims by the Controller, and
It is suggested that the Public Service
Commission be requested to cooperate
with this board to that end"
That this board does not favor a
general cancellation and annulment of
existing subway construction contracts
and the release of the suretes on the
bonds of such contractors. but that it
Will consider the claim of any particu-
lar contractor for relief because Of war
conditions when presented by the Pub
lie Service Commission, with the neces.
sary facts and particulars, in the man.
ner heretofore outlined by this board;
and
THAT, it being the earnest desire Of
this board to secure the speedy compile
tion Of the subways, the workmen
employed thereon receive lust com
pensation, and that the interest of the
people should be fully protected, this
board submits this statement of its
policy to the earnest consideration of
the Public Service Commission and the
contractors, and invites their coopera-
tion to carry it into effect"
Conference Committee Ordered
President Smith then moved that a
conference committee of three mem
bers of the board meet with a similar
committee of members Of the Public
Service Commission, to draw up some
general resolution so that the situation
could be remedied at once.
Some declaration of policy is re-
quired that meets with the approval of
both boards" said President Smith.
Mayor Hylan asked Judge Ransom if
the commission would cooperate with
the board He replied that it would.
and predicted that out Of the confer
ence would come solution that would
send the men back to work.
Controller Craig and Mayor Hylan
accused Judge Ransom of having made
derogatory remarks about the opinion
of the Corporation Counsel. Judge Ran
som denied he had made any such re-
marks.
eyes, you have," said the Mayor.
You made the remarks right in this
room and in the hearing Of one of
this board, and one of the papers pub
lished it,"
Judge Ransom denied it again, say
ing he thought the opinion Of the Cor
poration Counsel was right, but that
the plan adopted after his opinion had
been rendered would not meet the stu
alton.
"We have stood by the contractors
and have tried to give them relief u
said the Mayor, "but we don't propose
to be bulldozed into cancelling con-
tracts"
1t is expected that the Public Ser
vice Commission will suggest a modi-
fed plan to the Board Of Estimate at
to-day's conference.