New-York tribune., 1919-08-19

such an increase. on the ground that
ii is necessary.
While the conference was under way
q Tribune reporter saw Governor
Smith and asked him what part he was
taking in the settlement
"None directly,' he said "Commis-
sioner Nixon, the Interborough repre-
sentatives and the delegates from the
brotherhood are all behind closed
doors. have not been in with them.
! am simply waiting Tor Commission oner
Nixon to function. When the Federal
government and all other authorities
agree that the only way to decrease
the cost Of living is to increase pro-
ductlon, 1t is little short Of calamity
to have strike that prevents 100000
people in the largest city of the coun-
try going to and from their business.
stand ready and willing to do any
thing | can to end the strike"
District Attorney Drops In
While the conference was on Deputy
Controller Louis Hahlo and Charles
kerlgan. of the Finance Department
strolied IN. They did not seem to be
a part Of the real proceeding. At
ABOUT the same time District Attorney
Swami and his assistant, j ohm T. Dool-
ing, appeared, and Mr.. Swami talked
Ns " WY tepoIteiS ABOUT present.
ing the suspicious features of the
strike to the special grand jury.
After nearly two hours, Commits
sioner Nixon, his face wreathed in
smiles, briskly walked to the office
occupied by Governor Smith and John
Mitchell and took them to Deputy
Glennon's office, where Connolly and
the brotherhood delegation were wait
ing. Governor Smith made the men
speech, telling them that the strike
was calamity to the people of New
YORK, rich and poor alike, and that
II was their first duty to consider
the interests of the travelling public
lie urged them to accept any fair
proposition. AS soon as this was out
or the way Mr.. Connolly and his COM
mlttee started for the New Star Casino.
Could Make No Promises
Il can't say whether the strike is
on the point of being settled or not"
salo connolly. I'VE are going to the
ne" star Casino, our strike head
quarters where We shall lay report
before our men The men themselves
are the masters of the situation. If
they are disposed to COMPROMISES
well and good. 1t is impossible to-
say how soon decision will be given
~e shall have to send out for many
OF the men to come to the meeting.
AS regards the merits of the fare
problem, don't. know much about
them. Our first consideration is an
increase IN pay. | can say, though
that my home is in Yonkers and
have to pay 10 cents to ride from
there to Getty Square. | don't think
people in this city will object to paw
ing the cents to ride from Van Cort
landt Park to Flatbush Avenue. Brook
lyn."
Deputy Public Service Commissioner
Alfred M. Barrett accompanied Con
molly and his associates to the meeting
place In 107th Street.
Activities of the Mayor
While Commissioner Nixon and HE
conferrees were busy at his Offices try
ing to settle the strike, the Mayor was
DONG business at the City Hall. He
said he had received a letter, handed in
by an employe Of the Interborourh who
did not want his name made public.
saying the writer and eleven others
IKE HIM considered Mayor Hylan an
All-American Mayor" and true to the
interests of the working man, etc, and
DONG his best to save the emploves
OF the interborOugh from the clutches
of the octopus" The letter expressed
the hope that the Mayor might have
chance to address mass meeting of
the strikers
Mayor Hylan forwarded this letter
to the Corporation Counsel, with the
following from himself:
Dear Sir: Inclosed find copy Of
q letter received from q committee
OF employees Of the lnterborough.