Evening star., 1896-06-26

plcyes of the above company, hereby ap-
peal to you to assist US in maintaining
our rights as free American citizens. So
mucn misrepresentation has been INDUCED
in that we now present for your consid-
Grafton true statement of the entire
controversy, to which will revert to
the beginning of the trouble.
When Mr.. Phillips was appointed presl-
dent of the road he came with the repu-
tation of being an exceedingly harsh en-
ployer. 10
He made an open boast Of ,he fact that
during his short experience president
OF the Third Avenue railroad in New York
city he had dismissed three thousand men
and caused a most disastrous strike.
Naturally our men felt suspicious, and
our distrust was verified by his imme-
diately attempting to enforce a reduction
In wages amounting to 17h per cent. The
support rendered by YOU at that time pre-
vented the reduction, and to the commit
tee that waited upon him Mr.. Phillips
guaranteed that all men who returned to
work should retain their positions. He
also, in the most solemn manner, left hand
on his heart and right hand raised to
heaven, asserted that, the company was
losing heavily, which was afterward
proved to be absolutely false.
Up to the first of, July last no intima-
ton was made that the organization was
distasteful to the company, but from that
time on every underhanded method has
been tried to disrupt and destroy the as
sembly. New men have been obliged to
agree not to become members and to pro-
duce two reputable citizens to indorse such
an agreement.
We visited Mr.. Phillips to protest against
those provisions, and he denied that any
such rules existed. He even went so far
as to assert that the organization was a
positive benefit to the company and had
SO developed the self-respect Of it's mem
bers tt at dishonesty no longer existed on
the road, and he had been able to dispense
with inspectors.
Despite this apparent friendship, when
,he electrics were first put on 9th street
he took advantage of the opportunity to
discharge men who had been in the employ
OF the &C mpany from five to twenty years
and replace them with men brought from
Baltimore and elsewhere. We entered an
earnest protest against this treatment and
We're partially successful, but Mr.. Phillips
evidently determined to destroy the crganf-
Zat1on which was the cause of so much
agitation On behalf Of the men, and the
present action Is apparently the means he
proposed to adopt to terrorize and inttmi-
Gate his men.
we nave since our organization cared for
our SICK buried our dead and endeavored
10 surround our members with such tnf1u-
ences ss would induce them to lead up-
right, honorable lives; we have at all times
been loyal to the company, courteous to
~ me pu9hc ana nave taken every means
10 AVOID accident and injury to our pAr
sengers.
We can demonstrate that all the serious
and fatal accidents occurring were the
iSSuit VI CdreleSSneSS by 1nef1cient
ployes, and we denounce the action Of the
company In discharging without cause,
some of its oldest and ablest men, We
earnestly appeal to the citizens Of Wash
irgton who have so freely aided us in the
past to show their contempt for this cow
ardly action, and aid US in securing Justice
ana fair dealings. Assuring you Of out
cordial appreciation of past kindness and
satisfied that we will not now call upon
you In vain, we remain. faithfully yours,
j. M. DENT,
J. TRAINOR,
r. L. DENT,
NJ. CASEY,
B. FINNACOM,
j. RYAN,
r. B. ROBBERS.
c. w. BECKWITH,
w. r. SMITH,
T. ]. LAWRENCE,
w. WARD,
H. A. SKINNER