GAGE OF BATTLE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1330, 6 January 1912, Page 6

GAGE OF BATTLE.

COUNCIL AND TRAMWAYMEN.

A STRIKE POSSIBLE,

WILL THE COUNCIL STAND FIRM *

Matters affecting the relations of the City Council with its tramway employees took a somewhat unexpected turn yesterday, whon the Town Clerk received a letter from the Tramways Union, which in its general effect amounts practically to, an ultimatum. Tho letter was handed to the press by tho Acting-Mayor (Councillor .1. Smith), who has taken up tho view that since tho inquiry into tho charges against Inspector fuller is being conducted in public, any correspondence between the council and tho union on tho subject of the inquiry should also be mado public. Tho letter roads 1 us follows:—

"As _ the result of a meeting held last night, I am. instructed .by tho executive of my union to forward you the following resolutions:—

"That as the result of a conference between the union and the Mayor .(which was convened at his Worship's request), it was agreed, on tho suggestion of Mr. Wilford, that we should meet the City Council fn tho open, and there prove the complaints made against Inspector Fuller. Each side to conduct their own case. As this has not been complied w : ith, and it. was tho executive's suggestion that' the press should be present, and ; the greatest, publicity be given to ' the complaints so made, wo now take tho opportunity of suggesting to tho coun-' eil that a special board be set up, with an independent chairman, and that all evidence be taken On oath. Tailing this, wo decline to meet the council on Tuesday, with ' lawyers present. "Yours, etc., "A. SUTHERLAND, "Secretary." What Councillors Think. Most of the members of tho City Council were questioned after the letter had been received, and invited to express an opinion in regard to the attitude taken up by the .Tramway Union. Some of the councillors counted discretion the better' part of valour, and declined to say anything at-all, but others frankly, stated their opinion that the Tramways Union had .attempted to invade the functions of the body by whom tho tramwavmen are employed—the City Council. Amongst thoso .who declined to talk was Councillor Barber, who said that he was not prepared to express an opinion until ho had had an opportunity of thinking the matter over. _ Councillor Fletcher Said ho had nothing to say about it. Councillor Fitzgerald said ho had rather not say. anything about .it just now. A similar attitude was taken up by councillors Cohen and Shirtelilfe, the latter remarking that he would say nothing until ho had talked with his brother councillors.

The Acting-Mayor's Opinion. The Acting-Mayor (Councillor J. Smith) summed up the situation in a couple of brief but pointed sentences. "1 think the City Council should. stand by what it said," lie remarked, "and meet tho men on Tuesday. If they do not choosb to meet, and trouble with the union follows, the council must bo prepared to face it."

Councillor J. Trevor remarked that it was no longer a question of the. Tramways . Union and Inspector Fuller, but a question between tho. City Council and the Tramways Union. However, this matter might turn, the council must riile. Councillor L. M'Kenzie's . criticism of the Tramway Union's letter was confined to the expression of an opinion that the City Council is quite capable of managing its own affairs without any outside interference. "1 believe," said Councillor M'Keuzio, "that the council should uphold that position, and so protect its own dignity."

Councillors may probably meet informally to discuss the attitude taken up by the Tramways Union before Tuesday next, when the inquiry into tho charges against Inspector Fuller is to bo "resumed, but ,it is , unlikely that any formal meeting of the council will he called before that date.

"An Agreement with the Mayor." Councillor Cameron commented interestingly upon the statement of the union, in its letter, that Mr. Wilford had agreed that each party- should conduct its own case at the inquiry.. "Mr. Wilford was asked by me after he left the chair at the last :council meeting which he attended," said Councillor Cameron, "what his attitudo was in regard to counsel being employed. He stated that he would prefer that the case should be heard without counsel. He further remarked that, if either party asked leave to employ.counsel, he did not see that tho council could refuse the request. Mr, Wilford did not'mention discussing this question with the union officials. I consider," continued the councillor, "that no one but a fool would believe that a man of Mr. Wilford's standing would, 'off his own bat,' niako a definite agreement with the union that counsel would not be allowed, especially knowing that, whatever agreement he made, would have to be ratified by the council as a whole, upon which he has one vote only. Wo ratified the writtendemands of the union seoretary only, and I consider that the union should abide by these written demands. I strongly resent tho union's reflection on Mr. Wilford's common sense and ability as Mayor, and I consider their-attitude, in getting behind an absent man, contemptible. I suggest that Mr. Wilford bo cabled to at the first port of call on his voyage, and asked for a definite statement as to what occurred at the conference.

• "I would not consent to the case-being heard by any other body than the council. I have already said that to refer it to the Appeal Hoard would be absurd. Tho Appeal Board interferes too much in tho management already, and I consider that the sooner it- is abolished the better. Another point is that two of its decisions will play an important part in the present case. At present the Appeal Board has a supreme control over the dismissal of employees from the tramways, and I maintain that the system of dual control is bound to, lead to trouble' and friction." As to the present dispute between the council and its tramway employees, Councillor Cameron declared that it was absolute twaddle for the • Tramways Union to talk of giving Fuller, o falltrial and then refuse to let him bo represented by count-el. One newspaper had remarked on the day after tho inquiry was decided unon that it was presumed that both 'sides would he represented by counsel. That was the time when the union should _ havo protested and not when tha inquiry bad started. The union had humbugged and inconvenienced the council, and it was time that the council should toko a \ firm stand.' , If the Trams Were Stopped.

The negotiations between the City Council and its tramway employees havo now reached so critical a stage, that tho pofesibilitv of a tramway strike is frecly mentioned. The secretary of the nnion stated publicly on Thursday afternoon that- the. position was serious. The letter which tho union forwarded to tho council yesterday represents 'an attempt to upset a resolution of the council which was carried by an overwhelming majority—that both parties should be allowed to have counsel in the further proceedings of the inquiry into the charges laid against Inspector Fuller. If these things mean anything at all, they mean that the men may rwort to extreme measures in an attempt to enfcice their demands. It seems to l'o an cpinion generally held that a tramway str'ko vronld lie a much greater misfortune to the .members of tho Tramways Union than to the general public or the City Council. The council has resources at command which would enable it to run a limited service if the men should go out. This could be supplemented by the uso of- drags, express wagons, and other vehicles, and the inconvenience resulting from a stoppage of most of. the cars could in this way be minimised. Unless public opinion supported them—and public opinion is not at all likely to approve a general tramway strike—(ho men could accomplish little by going out. The chances-still are .that better, counsels will prevail. The Tramways Union has many members who are unlikely, to engage willingly in a strike, but men of this type aro apt to Miept away with the stream "■hen. Ihc hot-heads of a union take the leadi