New-York tribune., 1919-03-12
n ew Jersey
T. ar Strike
Begins To-day
Continued from page ]

which the men would obtain sick and
other benefits.
The men declined to accept the com
pany's plan and called it a scheme IN
weaken their union, the Amalqamated
Association of Street and Electric Rail
way Employees of America. The work
ers submitted contract calling for 2
nlne-hour days, with pay for ten hours,
and recognition of the union.
The company refused to treat with
union representatives, but said it was
always ready to meet "cmploycs' com
mitteeS."
Wepner told the War Labor Board
representative that any plan he might
have for settling the trouble would have
to be taken up with the unions con-
ference board.
Company officials late tonight said
they would run ali cars possible to-
morrow. Cars will be sent out with in
Spcctors, starters, sWitchmcn, etc. it is
said.
Union Issues Statcmnt
Mepner issued this statement Of the
workers side of the controversy;
"The union gave the company's plan
full consideration and rejected il
unanimously. The union then proposed
an agreement with the company that
IS III common use with the majority of
street railways in the United States
and Canada. The company, without any
conference with the committee to dis
cuss the merits or demrits of this
new proposal, refused to recognize the
union agreement, Notwithstanding
they said they had no objection to
employees belonging to any organiza-
ton they saw fit
"A o, ri, +o1,
understanding of the position of the
National War Labor Board in the fun
damentnl principles and policies laid
down for the guidance of employers
and employees.
"Thc company had violated the first
principle, which says: The right of
workers to organize in trade unions
and to bargain collectively through
representatives is recognized and APP
parent. This right shall not be de
MED, abridged or interfered with by
the employers in any manner what
Soever'
"The Public Service Company has
never met chose, representative Of
the locals. 1t has never lived up to
this first principle of the War Labor
Board, but the union has borne itself
patiently in hope that the changing
times and public opinion would
N"oitSC tilc pOlINy ul union opposition
tor which the public service is known.
rms is not a case of unrest or
disposition to disrupt a peaceful com
munity without full consideration.
"The men have been satisfied to 90
along with the award of the War Labor
Board, but the company evidently, with
himsy excuse of pretence, is de-
tcrmined to disrupt the union that the
men have developed in nlnc months.
W neither the company tries to buv
the UNION affiliation with sick benefits.
insurance and pensions, or defeat it by
destruction, the object is the same,
namely, to take away the right of the
employees to sell their labors through
union organization. This is the vital
spot of the present controversy.
I'VE ask the travelling public; Are
the employees entitled to have and
operate their own organization, or must
they accept cooperative plan run by
the offlclals of the company? 2"
Threat to Use Ex-SoIdiers
AT the conference tonight Prcsi-
dent McCarter said the company
would Use eX-soldiers and pay them
wei to run the cars, even if it takes
thousand years
His position is hard to understand
in view of the tribute of President
wilson to labor during the war.
he committee stands ready to
meet and confer with any committee
representing the interests of the com
munity IN any effort to end this un-
fortunate situation"