New-York tribune., 1919-08-22

from East 133d Steet through The
Bronx to New Rochelle and White
Plains, walked out at a. m. yesterday,
tying up the entire system. The strike
was called without any notice to the
company or the public.
The men, according to L. S. Miller.
president of the company, were granted
20 per cent increase on August II.
Motormen now receive $500 month
and conductors $3.50. They now demand
$500 for motormen and 1926 for con-
ductors, which President Miller says
would assure to these employees the
same rate OF pay as skilled engineers
on steam railroads
The Public Service Commission di-
rected the officials of the company to
use no green employees in any attempt
to operate the line. Mr.. Miller said.
however, that passengers were being
carried to the subway at 180th Street
and delivered there and that while the
line was crippled, he hoped to be able
TO operate enough cars in day or two
10 prevent any congestion. The strike,
ne SAID, put thirtyfve motormen and
th1rty-hve conductors out of work and
hconvenlnces about $4,000 people.
Most of Demands Met
Mr. Miller declared the negotiations
between the company and it's employees
mad been going on for more than
month. The demands of the men, he
said. had been met, with the exception
Of o, their request that they be placed on
the same basis as similar employees of
the steam railroads. The company. he
contended, is utterly unable to meet
the additional advance.
In communication to the Public
Service Commission, Mr.. Miller point
ed out that the company had advanced
the wages of its employees in 1912,
1916, 1917, twice in 1918, and twice
this year. All these raises, he said,
were voluntary, and brought the pay
of tn the men from $l.o63 year in 1912
crease of 1853 per cent In addition, he
said. the company had set aside over
$4,000 for casualty insurance for its
employees.
"The schedule of wages paid by the
company" he said, "is the same as that
paid by the lnterborough. with whose
employees our motormen and conductors
may properly be compared. They now
demand the standard pay Of the feder-
allied steam railroads, although the
experience, qualifications and services
way to be compared to those of the
Federal employees.
Sole Issue Is Pay Rate
"The sole issue on which the men
struck was the demand for steam rail-
road rates. The company has recog-
nized the organizations to which these
men belong ana has otherwise agreed
to all the demands az to working rules
and an eight hour day.
"The financial condition of the COM
pany, as shown by its reports to the
Public Service Commission, demon
strates that it is in no position to
meet the latest demands of the men.
Since it commenced operations the
company has never earned it's oper-
ating expenses and taxes, and has lost
up to June 80, 1919, s473,913.32. In
the same period the owners of the
property have been out of pocket to
the extent of $685. 1880, represent
ing interest ON the company's bonds,
which they have made good.s
The striking employees arc headed
by j. H. Wilson, of the committee of
motormen, and Robert T. Clarkson, of
the conductors. 4 meeting has been
called for this morning at Mount Yer
non. Inspector James Savage has or
dreed men to the various stations in
NineSs for nrv Ventua1jtC