New-York tribune., 1919-08-17

mistakably indicate to us that they
want to. The traction interests and
employees are not authorized to speak
for the public so far as know"
No Change IN Attitude
"And now" said Mayor Hylan, as he
finished reading the statement and
looked over to the labor delegation, 81
want to ask Mr.. Connolly if there is
any change in the attitude Of the
Brotherhood 2"
absolutely none" responded the
man, from the front seat, rising as he
answered.
"Mr. Connolly" said President Moran
of the Board Of Aldermen, "does that
mean that the strike starts this after.
noon at q o'clock?"
Connolly-At a o'clock tomorrow
(Sunday) morning.
Mayor Hylan-Who issued that order
for the strike?
the meeting was held at the New Star
Casino. went all over the matter
with the men. told them that we had
IN VAN IN the last year or two tried
to get an increase-that we had called
on the city officials, and that we had
absolutely failed to obtain an increase.
We have been working for starvation
wages long enough. After | had fin
lshed my report to the men, I asked for
an expression of their views on the
question of striking, and every man in
the hall stood up.
Hylan-Mr. Connolly, are you ia
mlllar with the rules of the Brother
hood?
Quotes Arbitration Clause
Connolly-Yes.
Mayor Hylan thereupon cited Article
4, Section 3, reading from a purple
covered manual. copy of the constitu-
tion The section he quoted provided
for an arbitration board of three to
consider any question of striking-one
member from the employees, one from
the company and one outsider.
Connolly-The constitution has been
amended since that was adopted. You
are reading from an old book.
Hylan-Where is the president of the
brothe rhood.?
tion Sanitarium in White Plains.' He
had a paralytic stroke several months
ago.
The Mayor then read a section of the
brotherhood constitution providing for
a referendum vote of the membership
before strike could be called, and
asked Connolly if that was still a rule.
Connolly replied that the rules had
been amended since the one the Mayor
read was adopted. The Mayor then
read Article S, Section 8, providing for
a settlement of strike questions by ar
bitration, and added:
"l asked you yesterday if you would
submit this strike matter to the men.
Did you submit it ?"
Nothing to Arbitrate
Connolly-Yes.
Hylan-When did you submit it?
Connolly-Last night at the New
Star Casino.
Hylan-What did they say?
Connoll y-Thcy hooted and roared
from all parts of the hall to strike
at once.
Hylan-Will you arbitrate now?
Connolly-Therc is nothing to ar
btrate.
Hylan-Are you willing to allow the
men to continue at work so that the
operation Of the subways may not be
interfered with. and submit the wage
matter to arbitration?
President Moran--Mr. Connolly, the
constitution provides distinctly that
there must be arbitration before a
strike is called.
Connolly - That constitution was
amended several months ago.
Then followed prolonged question
and answer between the Mayor and
Connolly over the amendment to the
consttut ion, which Connolly said had
not been printed in its amended form.
In answer to more questions Connolly
said that he had not worked as a
motorman for the last two or three
days, but had been busy on organiza-
ton matters day and night.
In answer to question by the Mayor
he said the men had been asked yester-
day by the 1nterborough to arbitrate,
ali without avail, as they were deter
mined to strike.
District Attorney Swami took hand
in the questioning and asked when the
men received their last raise. Connolly
said it was in 1918, and that it was
10 per cent increase.
Hylan- Connolly, what chance is
there at this time of calling meeting
and submitting this matter to arbitra-
ton?
Connolly-Not chance in the world.
Borough President Connolly of Queens
Don't you know that if you go ahead
and call this strike as you purpose you
will lose your standing with the pub
lie?
Connolly, of the Brotherhood
men have been all over that many times.
For the last year or more we have
tried to see the Mayor and other city
officials about a raise, and we never
got any satisfaction.
Hylan-You came asking for an in
crease of fare for the Interborough
Connolly-Not as far as can remcm-
ber.
Asked Tor Higher Fare
Hylan-Your committee said when
they called that the only way for the
employees to get raise in pay was for
the city to increase the fares.
Borough President Bruckner-Did
you ever come to The Bronx borough
hall to see me?
Connolly-Yes.
This answer aroused Borough Presi-
dent Bruckner, who vehemently denied
that he had ever been called on.
Connolly said the committee report
ed back that they had called at the
bronx Borough Hall without result.
at is positively untrue. No one
ever approached me on this matter"
said Mr.. Bruckner.
Connolly of the Brotherhood said
there was clause in their agreement
with the company which warranted