New-York tribune., 1919-04-09

ditions, etc, are matters which di
fectly affect the employees of the
system and the managers of the sys-
TEN. They do not concern outsiders.
aid | will not deal with outsiders con
cerning rrem.
Nothing is to be gained by either
side by an evasion or pretcnce You,
and those who are advising you in this
matter, desire to obtain recognition
b,y the managers Of the system, of the
Amalgamated Association, and the dc.
mands for increased wages and de-
creased working hours, etc, put for
ward by you are obviously used as a
means OF attaining the end you desire.
The Present Conditions
ut is hardly conceivable that our en-
ployes, in any great number, do not ap-
preclate the present conditions, and
that unaffected by any outside agita-
ton, they would think at this time of
formulating and presenting demands
1or % general wage increases or other
Ihlngs which Increase operating cx-
pcnses. They are fully aware that
within year wages have been in
creased IN sum totaling four millions
OF dollars annually, and that as a rule
our men receive as high, or higher
wages than those received by those in
similar employment throughout the
United States
They know that their wages have
neen increased in larger proportion
than the increase of living cost
lhey know that $20,0O0,OOO must be
borrowed by the management to finish
the construction and equipment neces-
sary for the proper operation of the
system; that for lack of money the
company had to default in interest pay
mcnts on Its obligations, and that its
operating expenses are so high now
mat 1t cannot earn enough above them
to meet its other fixed charges, ire
spectlve OF any return whatever to
stockholders.
NO one could possibly justify or
vindlcate demands by our employees for
increased wages or other increased
operating expenses at this time, and I
90 not believe that any considerable
number Of our employees think other
wise.
"What outside organizations think is
best for their own purposes !. of courso
90 not know. But do know that on
the question of attempting to force tho
management to deal with such outside
organizations, the right is all on the
slde OF INC management, and | am con-
Vlnced that oar men win be slow to
engage in an issue Of that kind, which
could not possibly benefit them and
might be seriously TO their dsad-
vantage.
"As for your suggestion about nrbj.
tration, am Of one mind with the au-
thorIties In control Of the Amnlcn-
mated in believing that that question is
not susceptible OF arbitration. As to
tho arbltration Of other matters, there
must be two parties before there can
be any arbitration, and since will not
rccogni%c the right Of an outside or
ganizat'oh to represent our mcn there
are not two parties here who disagree
on any matter, and therefore there is
no basis for any arbitration.
Sincerely yours,
"LINDLEY NJ. GARRISON,
Receiver"
Conference of Officials
Previous to the dispatch of the letter
Mr.. Garrison had a long conference
with the officials ana operating heads
Of the B. r. T., including Timothy S.
Williams, president: j. j. DemDsev
president, and Frederick Royce
general manager
The demands Of the men, which were
recently sent to Mr.. Garrison by tho
executive committee Of Division 867
include these specific claims:
HS SV"P"hJ as iCto w meet ana
treat with the duly accredited com
representing the party of the
second part (the union) upon all oues-
tons arising between them, and should
any difference arise between them
which cannot be mutually adjusted tho
same shall be submitted at the request
OF either party to Il board Of arbtra-
ton, TO be selected in the following
"rhc company shall choose one arbi-
traitor and the employees shall choose
one arbitrator, and the two thus chosen
snail meet daily to select third arbi-
traitor, who shall act an chairman of
the board. After this said board has
been completed they shalt meet daily
for for the purpose Of adjusting said diff
1ority Of snid board, submitted in writ
ing TO both parties. shall be binding
upon both parties to this agreement.
The company will do nothing to
prevent Or discourage any cmployo !