Evening star., 1896-07-06
READY TO ANSWER
Street Railway Assembly to Issue a
Statement.
The METROPOLITAN TROU BLES
More Letters of Protest Received
From Congressman.
WILL BE REMEM BE RED


way Assembly were today engaged in pre-
pairing a statement to the public in reply
to that from the directors of the Metro
politan Street Railway Company, and
printed exclusively in The Star Of Sat-
urday. but would not, they said. have it
| ready for publication until tomorrow.
The reply will, it is understood, go much
into details and will not only deny that
| the members of the executive board and
| the other discharged men were agitators
in the sense that they were trying to ex-
cite discomfort among their fellow en-
ployes to the injury of the company, but
will. 1t Is stated. pronounce the charges
made in the statement Of the board of
directors to be false in every particular.
Mr.. F. M. Dent, chairman of the board,
said this morning that he and his col
leagues were seriously contemplating the
retention Of a lawyer to go into court and
see If the directors of the railroad COM
pany cannot be prosecuted for libel for
having made statements which are not
only, as they claim, untrue, but II 3l-
lowed to remain uncontradcted were cal
culated to do those to whom they refer
serious injury.
Mr.. Dent called attention to the fact
that 1t has always been the boast of the
metropolitan company heretofore that they
never condemned a man without giving
him an opportunity to meet his accuser
and defend himself, and added that the
COMPANY company mad suddenly changed front and
mer employees each Of whom has been
highly commended by one or another of
the company's highest officials Cor faith
fulEess and efficiency in the line of duty
and this notwithstanding the locked-out
men have solicited an opportunity to meet
the directors and explain to them that
they, the discharged men, have been mis-
represented.
General Secretary-Treasurer John W.
Hayes of the general executive board of
the Knights OF Labor, who has been help
ing the local assembly in their present
fight against the Metropolitan Railroad
Company, Is still in the west, but is ex-
pected to return to Washington in day
or Two, and the Inauguration then Of
very warm campaign against the road is
looked for.
To BE Remembered.
Many prominent members of the K Of
l.. who have called on the discharged men
at their headquarters have expressed the
opinion that the reason none of the letters
from Congressman in various parts of the
country have seemingly produced any soft
eBlng effect on the hearts of President
Phillips and his directors is because the
railroad officials have idea that before
Congress meets in December the present
trouble will have been forgotten by the
Congressman.
Mr.. c. A. French Of the general execu-
tive board of the X. of L. said today that
IL such was the idea of the Metropolitan
people they might we'll dismiss the
thought, for they would find that the K
OF l.. do not forget an injury to any mem
terS OF their order IN SO short time, and
that unless the matters now at issue be-
tween the company and the discharged
men are speedily settled in manner de-
sired by the latter, the general officers of
| the K. of L., acting for the entire mem
hership. will fight the Metropolitan COM
pany before Congress at its next session in
a way such as it has never been fought
before.
Meanwhile, letters from members of both
houses of Congress continue to reach Mr..
Hayes. each letter being a duplicate of one
sen: to President Phillips.
More Letters.
One of the most earnest letters yet re-
ceived arrived this morning from Repre-
sentative Sayers of Texas, who during the
period that Judge Crisp was Speaker of
the House, was chairman Of the commit
tee appropriations. Mr.. Sayers' letter
was from Bastrop, Tex, and was as fol-
lows:
Referring to the differences existing be-
tween the Metropolitan Railroad Company
and some of its employees, l beg leave to
ask that such differences be arranged as
speedily as possible on a basis satisfactory
to both. parties.
IF 1t be true. as is asserted that the OBJ
that the discharged men are members of a
labor organization, then such objection is
entirely untenable and should be immedi-
ately abandoned.
tai, be permitted to organize for its protec-
ton against the wrong doing of the en-
ployer and for the promotion of the well
fare Of its membership along legislative
lines? No reaSor able or patriotic man can
or will deny the right. justice or necessity
Of such associations in these times of greed
for large and rapid gains.
perhaps another reason for the dis
charge of these men may be in the fact
as stated in The Evening Star, that they
opposed certain legislation that was at
tempted in behalf of the company during
the late session of the present Congress.
If so, 1t is as untenable as the former
They are citizens of the District of Column
bia, and as citizens are entitled to express
and to urge their opinions in every proper
way; and, in my opinion, 1t would not have
been at all improper for them to appear
before G. committee Of Congress or a men,
ber of Congress and present their views
touching any subject under consideration.
LAS member of Congress 1 have always
been glad to receive expressions of opin-
ions from any and all classes of our citi-
zens, touching matters Of legislation, and
in my judgment they should be encouraged
rather than discouraged to give the COM
mittees Of Congress the benefit of such
opinions they may entertain.
Congress will thus be the better en-
ahled to legislate wisely and for the bene-
fit of the entire people, 1 therefore do most
earnestly hope that the company will not
hesitate to Immediately seek an oppor-
tunity to settle the difference existing be-
tween itself and it's employees so that the
latter may return to the discharge of their
duties In the full consciousness that they
will be fairly and fully paid for their labor.
and SO long as they do good, their right to
remain will be entirely secure"
In a personal letter to Mr.. Hayes. Mr..
Sayers said:
Il have just received your circular re-
specting the difference between the Metro
politan Railway Company and its en-
ployes. and do not hesitate to say that INV
sympathy is entirely with the latter You
will find herewith letter to the president
of the company. which you will please de-
liver as directed"
From Senator Thurston, at Omaha. the
Following were received, the first being a
note to Mr.. Hayes. and stated
Il have this day written and mailed
letter to Mr.. Phillips, president of the
Metropolitan street railroad of Washington
a copy OF which herewith inclose This is
all feel justified in saying, because / am
not in possession of the facts showing the
merits of the case, and 1 do not like tn
prejudice In matter of this kind"
The letter to Mr.. Phillips was this:
Il am advised that certain employees of
your company have been dismissed from ito
service because Of their membership in the