The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-26
WILL leave THE KNIGHTS
Street Car Mems Labor Uni0a Ready
to Join the Federation.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT MATTER
That win BE Decided NJ the Next Meeting
Of the Union Is In Reference to Con.
ductOrs Who Have Been Dis.
charged for Knocking Down.

Among the motormen and conductors
of the Scranton Traction company
sporadic feeling of disquietude exists
that does not threaten any serious harm
to anybody. but the employees are lit
tie excited nevertheless. Almost every
motorman and conductor Is member
Of the labor union, which holds meet
oming avenue.
The union belongs to the knights OF
Labor and goes by the title OF Conduc-
tors and Motormen's assembly. No. 232O.
Isaac Robinson Is president or master
workman. and Alex. McTaggart Is the
secretary. A meeting was to have been
held last Saturday night at midnight
after all the workmen were through
work but "A quorum did not materialize.
The prime object OF the meeting was
to take action relating to the with
drawal from the Knights OF Labor and
turning over with the American Fedora
ton of Labor. Some still cling to the
affection for the Knights OF Labor and
are loath to sever from II. The reason
is the same for the feeling against the
knights by the street car men as other
organizations have complained OF In
the past; namely. taxation without rep
resentation. the principle for which the
revolutionary forefathers bled and
fought on the battlefield.
Their delegates Had No Voice.
The men who were sent out to repre-
sent the assembly In the national con-
vention were denied a voice or vote in
the proceedings because the powers
that be felt as though the Scranton
delegates would be inimical and en-
deavor to do something In the conven-
ton which would run counter to the
iph hal lAa al NJ
the latter's unfriendliness toward At
torney T. V. PowderIy. ex-general mas
ter workman OF the order.
Although the delegates from any Of
the Scranton assemblies were not en-
titled to any consideration. yet the as
semblies were asked to pay per capita
tax and this they refused to do. The
next step taken by some OF them was
to secede from the order and join the
Federation of Labor. This Is the ac-
ton now contemplated by the street
car mems union.
Some of the employees In conversation
with a Tribune reporter yesterday ex-
pressed themselves as confident that
the assembly at the next meeting will
join hands and forces with the Fedora
tion.
There is another matter that Is en-
crossing the attention of the men be-
sides the change Of paternalism. 1t
appears that well-trained corps Of
what the town parlance would call
''spOtters'' is in the employ of the Trac-
tion company and so well and faithful
do they do their work that every now
and then conductor IL let go from the
service. The employe may have been de-
tected in the act of knocking down"
fare, and II, perchance. a spotter is on
the car that Is the end Of the conduc-
tors tenure of Office.
He Is q Marked Mon.
He Is not discharged the next day or
perhaps for a week. but a strict watch
Is kept on his actions after ne has been
discovered to be dishonest. He Is soon
after let go because he may not have
been careful in handling passengers, or
he may have been emanating from n
saloon while on duty.
Within the past month several con-
ductors have been let go by the SUPER
intendent. and they have succeeded in
interesting about one-flfth Of the MEM
bers Of the union in their cause. They
want the union to take up their griev-
ance and by presenting a solid front to
the company. compel the latter to rein
tate the discharged ones.
The majority Of the street car men
have no sympathy with those who lose
their Jobs because they haven't got
the disposition to pull the bel rope every
time fare Is collected. The next
meeting Of the union may see the SUBJ
tect brought UP. 1t will be held on
Saturday night. Sept. T. and will be
awaited with interest.