The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-17

they said they'd strike right there. They
hooted and howicd and shouted Well
hear him Ave minutes and strike right
| them"
This made the Mayor blink but after
| pause he proceeded smoothly:
"You will submit to arbitration"
I'VE have absolutely nothing to arbi-
trate." Connolly retorted.
Are you willing to submit the aues-
| ton to arbitration In accordance with
your own by-lawsT' the Mayor per-
| sisted.
Connolly again said there was nothing
to arbitrate. Mr.. Moran pointed out
the arbitration clause again.
oh" said Connolly, prompted by II.
Post, subway motorman who sat on
front seat behind the spokesman,
that's been asnanded, too"
Arbitration Put on the had List.
This was news to the Interboroush
people as we'll as TO the city conferees.
| The Mayor wanted to know just how
and when the amendment was voted and
| peppered Connolly with shower Of
questions. Connolly said all reference
to arbitration had been stricken out OF
the constitution: he. didn't. recall the
exact date. but II was about two months
ago.
Has any ono here got copy of the
| amended constitution" the Mayor in
| qulred Nobody had Connoily's ex-
PLANTATION of the elimination Of the arbi-
tration provision was that we want
living American wage
The Mayors suspicion that the menu
| bers OF the brotherhood committee had
devoted all their time recently to agitat-
ing for an increase in fares and a threat
OF strike would not down. He asked
| Connolly when he last worked as a mo-
torman and got the answer. Last Mon
day or Tuesday" Connolly then admit
ted that the marlborough company had
asked the brotherhood to submit the
wage question TO arbitration and that at
tie instance of the brotherhood Connolly
had declined. He said the men got 10
per cent advance in September. 1913
but nothing since.
Referring to another clause In the con-
stitution. Mr. Moran asked: you
couldn't amend the constitution without
| submitting the matter to the company,
could you? That's not legal. is IT."
You can claim II that way II you
want to-" said Connolly.
The mans earnest defiance had the in
quisltors stumped for while. Eventu-
ally the Mayor found his voice again
rot call a meeting and give the Board Of
Estimate. General Manager Hedley and
others chance to appeal for arbitration.
| Absolutely no chance"
You don't mean that you are going
to do this thing and ALLEVIATE public sym
pathy?' put In the other Connolly, the
Queens Borough President.
I'm sorry to say" brotherhood Con-
nelly replied. that u we do not get
| h. Inc k.-N ~.
ms we'll stop the line running. We've
been trying for two years. The Inter-
borough told us they had no money. The
city officials turned US down"
The Mayor replied with some heat that
committee had come to him, but men,
bers OF 1t told him that what they were
after was TO have the city raise the
rnpid transit fares. Connolly insisted
that was not the purpose OF the visit.
Borough Presidents Connolly and Bruck-
Nor denied that any committee had tried
to see them Mr.. Hahlo said the COM
rnittce called on Comptroller Craig and
had an interview.
Borough President Connolly told the
brotherhood spokesman that strike
would violate the working agreement OF
the company and its men. The brother
hood man replied that the cost of living
was so high that they had right to
, break the agreement.
District Attorney Swami put In his
, oar. He sadd he personally agreed with
, the men that their salary was made
BQunte. but asked II they thought II fab
! to stop the subway and elevated trains
without giving due notice to the city
NO" answered Brotherhood Connolly
~ do not think 1t is fair" Members o:
] his committee grunted. but their candid
chief waved them back. He seemed to
be willing to admit anything except that
there was any possible chance of avert
ing the strike without more pay. Ft
stressed again hts assertion that the mer
had been rebuffed when they tried to lay
! their case before the city authorities.
n 1.-THE Mayor is willing. l think" re
E sumed the District Attorney. ito hell
you in the proper way. but he can't d,
{ | IL overnight. lie wants TO have another
meeting so he can see If he can't de
something for you"
. mo. sir" said Connolly stoutly, un
, impressed sby this effort at Cancellation
ITS the eleventh hour They would no
give US an interview in September
/, 1918"
n Delegate Fox of the brotherhood com
u planned that the committee had been 8,
I badly treated by the Mayor in Friday
e conference that they had TO walk out
y "All we wanted was courtesy" he said
: but instead of that they put Connoll!
d on trial. I'm glad TO say he stood III
y we'll Connolly's a good old man. HI
d sticks. He amt n college man al that
o "He certainly sticks" assented
= member of the Board of Estimate, VIII
with others had to chuckle frequent.
despite the gravity of the issue and tn
o tart things the labor men had to sa!
about His Honor Borough Presiden
i Connolly asked what the Mayor coul,
have done on Friday
n &He could have given us a civil in
terview." said Fox. Instead he goe
q and tells the newspapers about a con
spiracy and calls us a lot OF thieves. o
as much as that"
The Mayor rasped: You know bette
a than that. The record will show tina
- you were treated with every posslbl
courtesy Whereupon he read part o
= the record OF Fridays conference t
=, prove 1.-THE part wherein he asked tn
: committee to hold or little so that h
n could have time TO look into tho con
a trovcrsy.
= "You were not insulted," the Mayo
= went on. Now tell US plainly what tn
members of the Board Of Estimate ca
do"
). He paused for reply, which cam
h from Connolly:
''r don't know what you can do. I ar
v here 10 tell you that II we do not &c
:. the so per cent Increase and get a
=