New Britain herald., 1928-05-29
CAPITAL, LABOR IN CLOSER AGREEMENT
Recent Pact in Philadelphia Is
 Logical Step Forward

Logical Step Forward
 Philadelphia. Pa. May g labor and capital moved a step nearer ahlicable cooperation in the recent compact between T. F.. Mitten. Phil adelphia utility magnate. and W. D. Mahon, president of the AmaIea- mated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employes
 For the present the agreement simply ends an old fcud. Its work ing provisions apply only to possible future ventures by "Mitten Manage ment.' It does not affect directly the non-union traction systems in Philadelphia and Buffalo, run by Mitten.
 But as a straw in the wind' it is regarded as most significant Under it, Mitten and the union agreed to stop fighting and work together. They had been foes since 1911.
 Workers Dictate Dealing
 By the terms of the new agree ment, Mahon agrees not to interfere with the Mitten system in Philadel- phia or Buffalo, and Mitten agrees that in any other cities where Nit ten management may operate, he will deal directly with the union if two-thirds of the employees so elect
 Mitter has made a singular sue cess of traction management in Philadelphia and Buffalo. He took over the Philadelphia traction sys- tcm in 1911 just as it was about to collapse. with d threatened loss of some SS0, 900 .000 to it's stockholders
 At that time wages were low. serv- Ice bad, cars unsafe. and strikes ire quent.
 Equal Representation
 Nitten proposed to the mon that it they would cooperate with him in plan he set forth, - cents out Of every dollar rcce%ss<l in fares would be usod for payment of wages tc conductors and motormen. He V vorlled out the "5o-o0 system, whereby the employers and cm- ploycs have equal representation on all boards. and decide all matters ot wages, working conditions and jules.
 In l92l the management took over 200 busses operating on l2 routes. anl d little later purchased two Of the principal taNicab companies op- erating in the city.
 1'nrnS have hn,,, raised from five cents 10 7i2 cents with q free trans fer, the latter providing a combined street car and subway elevated ride.
 System Pays Now
 Philadelphia Rapid Transit stock holders who from 1902 to 1911 re- ccived no return on their stock sub scriptions now receive regular diri- donds. Tho employees of r. R. T. own one third of the SSo. o.000.otu common stock. and this ownership increases from year to year as CO., operative funds arc invested.
 Four per cent of the r. E. r. gross earnings is divided equally between Mitten Mana cement and the P. k. r. cnploycs. for added efficiency and cooperative effort.
 The Buffalo rapid transit system is being organized along practically the same lines as Philadelphia s.
 Strikes Avoided
 Under Mitton Manag an1ont, there las not been a strike in either city. service is good, and working condi- tions and wages have been greatly Improved.
 The peace pact between the Anal Eamated and Mittcn Management was worked out by two fathers and two sons--T.- l.. Mltten and his son A. A. Mittcn. and w. D. Mahon and his son o. l.. Mahon, with the aid of w. Jctt Lauck, labor economist.
 The younger Mitten is now the chairman of the Philadelphia and Buffalo traction concerns. The younger Mahon is his fathers close associate in affairs of the union.
 Expansion Undecided
 What cities Mitten Managem ent expects to enter under the agree ment is not yet known.
 When it does expand. and CO., operation between the union and the Mittens has developed 10 point of economic excellence rivalins that attained by the Mit;ens alone in Philadelphia and Buffalo. unioniza- tion of the Philadelphia and Buff falo traction systems ''may be dis cussed and made the basis of fur ther agreement"
 Arbitration is provided for in the event of dispute between the union and Mitten Management in. any city where they cooperate. Tho ''checl1 off method of collecting union dues is to be used If two-thirds of the employees approve.
 Where old age, disability, or other union benefits are to be under taken, Mitten Management will con- tribute s1 per month per man.
 ''In addition to the usual results Of collective consideration, it is the further object of this arrangement to secure for all interested parties the advantages of collective effort snd accomplishments the agree nnent," the agreement says. "To the owners this will mean a fair return on their property; to the public, an adequate and efficient system of transportation; and to the employees, in addition to wages sufficient for the necessities of life. comfort and savings, an opportunity to partici- pate in increased earnings made possible by their increased effort and productive efficiencies"