New-York tribune., 1918-06-14
Board of Estimate
To Consider Strike
On Subway To-day
Union Leaders Are Hold
ing Part of Force in Hope
of Settlement
Kracke Places Blame
He Declares Public Service
Commission Can't Act With
out Cooperation

With the controversy still raging
between the Public Service Commits
sion and the contractors, on one side
and the Board of Estimate, on the
other, as to the proper way to adjust
conditions on the unfinished subway
lines, there was no indication yester-
day that any compromise would be
reached at the meeting of the Board of
Estimate to-day.
The union leaders have been holding
as many of the striking laborers as
possible until to-day, with the hope
that the Board of Estimate would find
some solution. The contractors still
insist that the board should proceed
under the Lockwood law. and have re-
fused to accept the plan proposed by
the board at it's last meeting. The
Public Service Commission, while urg-
ing action under the Lockwood law,
made it clear yesterday that it's hands
were tied rs far as compelling any
action by the board or the contractors.
The Lockwood measure provides that
the board and the Public Service Com
mission must act jointly in the matter.
Contracts to Come Up To-day
At the request of the Board Of Es-
innate two weeks ago the Public Ser
vice Commission submitted the finan-
cial data, the forms of contract and
other papers required for action under
the Lockwood law as to eight contracts
on which the need for action was most
urgent, if the work is to proceed.
While these contracts are on the cal
ander of the Board of Estimate for
consideration at its meeting to-day, it
is expected they will be referred to
some one of its committees and pigeon
holed.
The board may decide that the con-
tractors have defaulted on their con-
tracts and put it up to the Public Ser
wee Commission to hold the sureties
responsible for the completion of the
work. 1t was pointed out, however,
that the bonds covering most of the
contracts are SO small in comparison
to the amount of the contracts that the
unfinished work could not proceed very
far by holding the sureties. If the
attempt was made it probably would
lead to protracted litigation, with all
work suspended in the meantime.
Commissioner r. j. H. Kracke of the
ing of the Kensington and Parkville
Improvement League in Brooklyn. last
night placed the responsibility for the
strike on the Board of Estimate.
Commissions Powers Limited
He declared the commission did not
care whether the emergency was met
under the city charter or under the
Lockwood law, if it was met promptly
and efficiently. He said that the com
mission stood ready to do anything it
could to clear the muddle, but, as the
situation exists, it is between the con-
tractors and the members of the Board
of Estimate and the commissions hands
are tied.
Commissioner Kracke pointed out
that the commission had no indepen-
dent power, but had to act jointly and
with the consent of the Board of Es-
innate.
William Jay Schieffclin, chairman of
the Citizens Union, issued a statement
yesterday justifying, in his opinion,
the position of the contractors and
the Public Service Commission in the
matter and criticising the city officials
law.
"The situation is critical" said Mr..
Schleffelin. every moments delay
adds to the imminence of the indefi,
mite postponement of subway compile
ton. Such postponement would be q
real disaster. 1t is clearly the duty of
the Board Of Estimate to meet tho
Public Service Commission without de-
day, and in good faith to agree upon
a plan which will get the subway built
now"