The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-08-17
Board Of Arbitration May
Consider the Adams Ex-
press Strike.
WAGONS RUNNING IN THIS CITY
Strikers. Issue an Address 10 the
Public Setting Forth Their
Grievances.

It is probable that the trouble between
the employees of the Adams Express
Company and the management will be
submitted to the State Board of Arbitra-
ton. The Board, through its Secretary,
James Martin. has offered its services.
The letter was read at meeting of the
strikers this morning, in Franklin Hall.
Many of the men thought it would be
advisable TO permit the Board to make
an inquiry. Others opposed it. 1t was
finally decided to take no definite action
until this evening. at half past seven
o'clock, when a joint meeting of the
New York and local men will be held here.
The men are still confident that they will
win. notwithstanding that many of their
places have been filled by the officials
Of the company
This morning, at ten o'clock. thirty
seven double wagons out of the fifty in
the stables at Montgomery and Hender-
son streets had been sent out, also eight
of fourteen single wagons, all manned
by new men. The ssscabs," as they are
termed who have taken the places of the
strikers, were brought to this city from
the East side of New York Many of
them are said to be men who have been
discharged by the company, while others
are, the strikers contend. wholly incom-
petent. From the windows of their head
quarters, in Franklin Hall, the strikers
watched every wagon that left the sta
bic and reported for duty at the shipping
pier. The. names of a majority Of the
drivers and helpers are known, and they
will be earnestly appealed to- to sur
strikers do not propose becoming disor-
DERBY nor resorting to violence. Inter-
ference with the companyss business will
not be countenanced, they say.
The places of the striking clerks, port
ers and handlers on the pier have been
pretty nearly filled. The men are en-
phia, Baltimore and Washington. Yes
terday a number OF clerks from Philadel-
phia were induced to come to this city
under the representation, it is said, that
the clerks here had been knocked out
by the heat. When they learned the real
cause of the trouble more than two
thirds of them refused to go to work, de-
claring that they would surrender their
positions in Philadelphia rather than play
the part of "scabs' on their Jersey
brethren.
Another instance of the company's at
tempt to get men familiar with the busi-
ness to act as bill clerks on the shipping
pier, was given this morning. Harry
Cannon who has been employed by the
company was lGtQ on SATURDAY +Dy super
intendent zimmerman at No. 50 Broad
Way that he would nave to report for
duty at the Jersey City shipping Office to-
day or be discharged. Cannon reported
for duty at No. 50 Broadway this morn
ing and was promptly discharged. When
Cannon was told Saturday night what
would be expected of him he came to this
city and consulted with the clerks, many
of whom he knew. He was not a mem
ber of the Knights of Labor, but he de-
clared he would be no scab. He joined
the order and now says he will remain
out as long as the others. The strikers
say that it will be a question of only
few days when all the old and COM
petent men viii leave the company's en-
ploy in order TO force an adjustment of
the present difficulty.
The strikers have received assurances
from abe employees from the several
other large companies in New York and
circumstances handle Adams freight. The
strikers have also sent out pickets to ap-
peal to business men of New York and
this city not to patronize the Adams
people while the strike is unsettled The
reports from the pickets are very en-
couraging, business men on all sides de-
claring that they viii do everything pos
sible to force the company to submit.
The continued denials of the men in
authority in the company that they are
not trying to break up the labor organiza-
tion to which the members belong brought
out some interesting facts this morning
Some weeks ago a committee Consisting
OF Superintendent Zimmerman Agent
Jeff McWilliams and President Weir's
assistant, Mr.. Eggleston, went from pier
to pier and office to Office to ascertain
the cause of discomfort which was grow
ing among the men and also to learn
what their grievances were. That com
mlttee struck Jersey City one morning
and certain men We're about to be ques-
toned when a telephone call interrupted
the examination, The investigating com
mittee went away promising to return
committee has not been seen or heard
from About threee weeks ago Agent
jeff McWilliams went to the Canal street
office and calling out James Bedford.
Carroll, all drivers, warned them that
unless they left the knights Of Labor
they would not be continued in the
service Of the company. That warning
was given ON Friday and the men were
given untn ten o'clock Monday morning
to decide The case was laid before the
drivers were. discharged a general strike
should be ordered. The men were nor dis
charged and the proposed tfe-up was
averted Nothing more of consequences
against the organized men took place lln-
til Prescott was discharged. The men de-
clare that the management has resorted
TO every trick possible to break up the
organization to which they belong.
The strikers have Issued the following
bulletin to the public:-
We: the Committee of the Adams Ex-
press Employees, wish to make the follow
ing statement in their benaif:-
While this present trouble simply hes
witn the Adams Express Company and
their employees on account OF the discharge
Of Drivers Prescott and Borden, there are
other matters such as the loss of time
On account of sickness.
"As the said employees of Adams Express
Company have to work from twelve to
fourteen ycsars per day. We feel that we
are justified in receiving pay for such
sickncss, and always did 50 until the pres
ept administration. If any man in the
employ of the Adams Express Company
is Unfortunate enough to lose any of his
relatives by death he Is docked for tiSs
time he is absent During the past ad-
nainistration we were accustomed to re-
ce've three days vacation during the
summer months, which vacation has been
taken from u.s.
TN clps instance a driver, a month ago.
had TO pay for a blanket stolen off oIls
of his horses last winter and expenses
came against men for damage claims dat
ing back from one year to eighteen
months. the company compelling the men
to pay damages.
Ever since the present administration
crifninatien against old men employed In
the company. All old men have bean
discharged during the past three years In
most cases were discharged for trjf ny
cause. and men placed In their positions
at greatly reduced salaries and very often
the positions were filled with boys al
salary Of from $50 10 $40 per month.
They he ve started system on the Jef-
sey City dock OF substituting boys for
men az call clerks and we.ghers, havir4g
the clerks in booths make the prices on
~