Norwich bulletin., 1919-07-14
STRIKE VOTE 10 BE COUNTED TODAY

announcement or the result Ol the strike vote among the trolleymen of the Shore Line Electric Railway com -Dany masy be expected today (Mon- dayl said Harry F. sMeGlone. chair man of. the general committee of the trolIeymen, when questioned Sunday night as to the situation. He said that the complete vote had not yet been taken on Sunday but that the co;iI,- would probably be ready to be made up Monday and an ar nouncemert of fts result made. In advance of that an- nouncement he had nothing to say as to the probable outcome
 It was currently reported here on Sunday that the vote in Norwich had was said< in New London, where it was stated by the president of the To- cal union that strike. if it came at all would not be before Wedne sday pr Thursday. It was stated that F. J.: O'Brien, international vice. president is expected to return to New London today (Monday) and mat he would at t with the committee in determining the date for calling strike. if there. is to be one.
 If the trolleymen decide to strike it will be no surprise If the answer of the road officials will be a comp:-te shutdown of the trolley service and giving up. any attempt to operate the road.
 The following was the arbitration offer presented by the roa6 officials, which was declined by the. men. who at once decided on taking strike vote:
 Arbitration Plan.
 Norwich, Conn. July II. 1919. MT. Harry r. McGlone. Chairman,
 Norwich, Conn.,: s
 {. Dear Sir:-In submitting to you the enclosed draft of terms of arbitra ton let me call your attention to the fact that in the preamble we use the same |. --i agreement which expired on June 1, 1919; that the subject for discussion is broadened to include those operating conditions that affect the cost of pro- ducing the service; that. in the forma- ton of the board of arbitration we ar range for the selection of three men who shall be residents of any one of the four counties in which we are do- ing business. and for the reason that these men would, in a sense. represent the people who are directly interesed i in the result of the controversy. Wei believe that this is essential in order 10 secure the interest and co-opera tfoni of the people who are. next to the 1, parties to the controversy. most direct i y interested.
 We also follow the general condi- ions of the arbitrat tion agreement in hat one arbitrator shall be appointed 1y your aSSocia ton, one by the com ! oany, and the third by these two men, and should they fail to agree the .hird man to be appointed by Messrs.4 Taft and Manly. joint chairmen of the Ia tional war abor board. These three o elect their own chairmen. The ap- 1ointee of Messrs. Taft and Manly to 1 ,e also a resident of the counties ! ,amed.
 In the provision regarding the find i ng of the board. we believe that the ! late when this is effective should be eft entirely to the board after hearing | he facts, and we have provided. as ta ted throughout our discussions, hat if an award of increase of wage is .ranted that it shall only become ef- 1 ective when the earnings of the com 'any will make its payment possible. l
 This condition is absolutely neces- ary for the reason. previously !; tated, that. up to this time this year, ? UT operating expenses have been in Xcess of our income. and, therefore, 5e cannot agree to accept and meet he demands of an award that would ut us in the position where we could e petitioned into bankruptcy by our wn employees for failure to promptly 1eet an award of back pay. |
 The best explanation or excuse that
 can give you for this position on UT part is the fact that our operating xpense for the year to June 1st. (June .glIres not yet completed) shows 703, ,319.07; gross earnings of s671.- 34.42 showing a loss of S31.579.65, yhich must be added to our present ebt; to this again must be added axes, rentals and interest on bonds. laking a total loss of $227 734.45 for he five months.
 As will be seen. wages and material ecessary for the operation of the