Evening star., 1949-02-19
|Couf Sets. Hearing
On Transit Riders
Suit 10 End Strike
By the Assoeiotsd Press

JuII 10 rnu JnIke
By the Asseeiotsd Press
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 19.-The
courts were asked today to force
settlement of Philadelphia's nine
day transit strike.
The Philadelphia Transporta-
ton Co. promptly was ordered
to show cause why three tenn
porary receivers should not be
appointed to conduct "unhamp-
cred" negotiations and make
peace.
Meanwhile. PIC and the strik-
ing CIO Transport Workers
Union arranged another meeting
with Mayor Bernard S>>nuel
later in the day in an effort
to break the deadlock.
The court action was brought by
former City Solicitor Joseph
Sharfsin as a car rider and tax
payer. He filed a petition for ap-
pointment Of Pic receivers, de-
claring the strike is endangering
the health and safety Of the COM
munity.
Hearing Set for Tuesday.
County Court Judge Harry S.
McDevitt issued the show cause
order on the PIC, setting 10 am,
Tuesday, for a hearing. PTC must
appear at that time and answer
Mr.. Sharfsin's argument.
AS the stalemate continued into
the second week end. Michael j.
Quill, international TWU presi-
dent, said he will call on the ma
tional CIO to join labor's fight If
the strike IS still on Monday.
Mr.. Quill said he will ask Alan
Haywood, CIO organization direc-
tor, to come to Philadelphia and
put the entire weight of the
national CIO behind this fight"
If no settlement Is forthcoming
during the week end, Mr.. Quill
stated. I'VE know We'll be in for a
long fight and the union has a big
job in organizing for the long
haul"
The union chief explained Mr..
Haywood would rally other CIO
unions to the financial support of
the strike" In reply to a ques-
ton, Mr.. Quill said Mr.. Heywood's
presence would not be a threat of
CIO sympathy strikes.
7-Cent Increase Rejected.
The 1000 strikers rejected a
seven-cent-an-hour wage increase
offered by the Philadelphia Trans
portation Co.
Mr.. Quill said: We'll take
nothing less than 13 cents"
The union originally asked Is
cents. PICS first offer was two
cents, then boosted it one penny
more. Workers now earn $1.09 to
$1.63 an hour.
The 37-member Executive Board
of the unions Local 234 says more
negotiations are necessary. It
wants to keep talking with PIC
officials until a settlement IS
reached.
Local President Andrew Kaelin
thinks management can increase
its wage offer and grant better
working conditions.
Mayor Samuel pleaded with
the strikers yesterday to accept
the PIC offer. The Mayor limited
it was the best that could be
made.
Mayor Is Denounced.
PIC President Charles Ebert
said fatty higher wage increase
would bankrupt the company.
Mr.. Quill commented angrily at
a news conference last night:
I'VE won't go back to work for
a 7-cent increase. Well keep this
strike going-even If it takes sew
eral months
The union leader accused the
Mayor of going behind our backs
to appeal to the workers to return
to work"
Businessmen moaned that retail
trade is off so per cent. Already
the strikes cost to business and
industry is estimated at $60,000.-
900. The Chamber of Commerce
figures the. loss at $10,000.000 for
each full working day. The PIC
has lost nearly $1,750,ooo in
revenue.
The blood bank at the Phila-
delphia General Hospital is being
depleted. One doctor said the
situation could become serious in
a few days.
About 10000 school children are
absent from classes daily,