The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-12
STRIKE TIES UP
NORTH JERSEY
TROLLEY CARS
1000 Employees Ordered to
Stop Work To-day in AL
Municipalities.
AFFECTS MILLION RIDERS
McCarter, Head Of Public Ser
vice, Refuses to Treat With
Union Delegates.
AFFECTS MILLION RIDERS

- general Srlke on eight DIVISIONS OF
the Public Service Corporation was
called for 4 o'clock this morning by New
Jersey trolley men in spite of the
presence in Newark OF representatives OF
the Department Of Labor asking for tho
privilege of mediation. Four thoussnd
employees were ordered to leave their
cars at the end OF their runs, paralyzing
the service. On receipt OF the edict fol-
lowing strikers meeting last night,
100000 Jerseyites looked up the
weather predictions and hoped 1t would
not rain to spoil the walking.
The trolley men demand recognition OF
their union, which is affiliated with the
Amalgamated Association of Street and
Electric Railway Employees of America.
An additional demand for a nine hour
day with ten hours pay is in dispute.
nut the main issue is the right to
organize and concession OF the principle
of collective bargaining.
William Wepner. chairman of the
joint conference board, said the strike
would be effective in 141 municipalities
In Essex. Hudson. Bergen. PaEsaic
Union, Somerset. Mercer, Burlington
Camden and Gloucester counties. That
part of the southern division centring
around Camden is not likely to be
affected, for the 500 employees in that
territory are not associated with the
union.
No trouble Is anticipated, but as a
precautionary measure Commissioner
William J. Brennan. Director of Public
Safety in Newark. ordered a SQUAD of
police to protect the car barns this morn
ing and prevent violence The strikers
declare they will make no attempt at
disorder. but will conduct the strike
along the lines OF the one last June.
which resulted in the National War
Labor Board fixing new scale of
wages and schedule of working condi-
tons.
Men Allowed TO Finish Runs.
Delegates were posted at all the car
barns soon after midnight, and as the
men returned their cars to the barns
they were called out Men out on runs
at O'Clock were allowed to finish them,
but none was allowed to go to work
after that time.
Nearly 90 per cent Of the trolley
employees of northern New Jersey are
embers of the union, having Joined
the organization since last June The
Iubiic Service Corporation will attempt
TO run as many cars to-day as can he
manned by non-union operatives No
attempt will be made to use strike
breakers. TO hire discharged soldiers or
women Both sides believe the difficulty
Will be satisfactorily settled
steps were taken last night by the
various municipal governments OF the
towns affected toward providing means
or conveyance for stranded citizens
Many OF the shops Of New Jersey are
accessible only by trolley lines The CIV
Commission of Newark met to discuss
the strike, and Thomas( l.. Raymond
Commissioner of Public Improvement
decided TO grant at once all applications
for jitney licenses. There will be about
200 Jitneys to help relieve the situa-
ton in Newark to-day. with as many
trucks as can De pressed into service.
In Jersey City James F. Cannon,
Commissioner OF Finance, declared he
would commander 200 trucks to-day to
REINFORCE the city's jitney service. Two
corps OF chauffeurs will be used SO tina.
the truck swill be operated all day and
IN to midnight
dangerous aspect Of the situation
looms in the rumor that the power house
men In Newark. Paterson, Jersey City,
Hoboken, Elizabeth. EdRewater. Dunellen
and New Brunswick will desert their
posu.
objection Chiefly to Union
The strike was precipitatod by the
plan OF Thomas y. McCarter president
of the Public Service Corporation and
subsidiary companies, for a coopera tive
league, which would allow the workers
free and Independent vote for represent
tatives for proper collective bargaining
and equal representation on committees
of workers and company officials In
this league men could present their griev-
ances 20 A joint committee. and as a spe-
cial inducenent the men would obi.
sick and other benefits
The men, however. declare that 1t ia a
scheme to weaken the union, and to test
the strength Of the union presented a
contract TO the company for the nine hour
day, but McCarter declined to have any
thing TO do with the proposal because ii
was a union proposal.
Tho policy OF the National War Labor
Board, as outlined in its award to the
b. f. T. motormen. is that employers
must recognize the right OF employees Il
organize and through chosen representa-
tives 10 do collective bargaining. The
strikers hold that this principle applies
tn their case, but McCsrter points to a
part OF the War Labor Boards decision
that failure of employers to treat witt
union representa- ives, when part OF the
workers are organized and part non,
union, shall not be considered a griev-
ance lie says he is willing TO meet
committees OF the workers and treat witt
them on all matters, but they must rep.
resent the workers and not the union
lSKC Z0NE FADE SycTE,M