Evening star., 1896-06-25
DISCHARGED THE MEN
Metropolitan Company Makes an
Issue With the Z. of L.
OFFICERS OF TIE ASSEMBLY DROPPED
Sudden Action Causes Excitement
Among the Employees.
ORDER OF THE DIRECTORS

There was today much excitement among
the employees of the Metropolitan Railway
Company who are members OF the street
Railway Assembly of the Knights of Labor
and other members of the K. Of L. on ac-
count of the summary dismissal by Presi-
dent Phillips from the employ of the COM
pany of every driver, conductor or motor
man who was an officer of the assembly
or member of the executive board.
No charge was, it is said by the men dis
charged, made against any Of them, and
the first intimation that any of them had
of his impending fate was when he reported
for duty this morning. He was then told
by the officer in charge at the power house
on AZ street southwest, or at the depot
on street northwest according as the
man was employed on the 9th street or F
street line, that his services were no longer
required.
Inquiry around the headquarters as to
the cause failed to disclose any information
on the subject, and all those interested who
questioned were referred to President Phil
lips.
Called ON Mr.. Phillips.
Mr.. F. NJ. Dent, who is secretary of the
Street Railway Assembly, and was en-
ployed as motorman on the 9th street line,
told Star reporter that soon after receiv-
ing his notice Of dismissal he, with others
who were discharged, called on President
Phillips and requested an interview with
him. Mr.. Phillips refused. he said. to re-
ceive the men in a body, but directed that
they be admitted sngly to his office, and
Mr.. Dent was the first to enter the room.
Mr.. Dent said he then asked President
Phillips to tell him why he was discharged,
rcmarking that he had always been con-
c. nfn nt,I no bod
derstood that such was his reputation with
the railroad company. The president ad
mitted, he said, that Mr.. Dents record was
good, but declined to talk further along
that line. He then read to Mr.. Dent the
copy of resolution. which, 1t was stated,
was recently adopted by the board of di-
lectors, and which. SO far as Mr.. Dent could
recollect stated that in the opinion Of the
board Of directors of the Metropolitan Rail-
road Company the employment any longer
of certain named men would be detrimental
to the best interests of the community.
In explanation of this Mr.. Phillips, ac
cording to Mr. Dent, said the resolution
was adopted at the last meeting of the
toard, and as he was in the employ of the
board he could not do otherwise than carry
out the resolution.
Mr.. Dent then retired from the presi-
dents office, and as the other discharged
men entered each was in turn informed of
the text of the resolution and given the
same information as had been given to Mr.
Dent.
Continuing his talk with The Star re-
porter, Mr.. Dent said: Il am astounded
at the action taken by President Phillips,
because there was no trouble whatever be-
tween the Railway Assembly and the rail-
road company, and l can only construe it
to mean an effort on Mr. Phillips part to
break up our organization. Several weeks
ago the officers of the assembly sent let
ter to Mr.. Phillips. asking for an inter-
view for the purpose of establishing the
same friendly relation between the en-
ployes of the Metropolitan Railway Com
pany and the company itself as now ex-
lists between the Columbia Railway Com
pany and its employees.
We received a reply to our communi-
cation few days later from the board of
directors over the signature of the secre-
tary, Mr.. Wilson, declining to grant the
conference asked for, on the ground that
no grievances existed and that the COM
pany was not discharging any one, not
even those who were supposed to be mimi
cal to it."
1.-The members of the Railway Assem-
bly, thought that this assured their con-
gave themselves no uneasiness on the SUBJ
ject. Consequently when the blow fell this
morning its effect was comparable to a
clap of thunder from clear sky
A Conflict Expected.
Persons conversant with the history of
the Street Railway Assembly and it's deal
ings with the Metropolitan Railway Com
pany have feared that, sooner or later,
matters would come to a crisis. An inter-
view between one Of the principal stock
holders and a Star reporter was printed in
The Star several months ago, in which it
was asserted by the stockholder that there
was conflict impending between the mem
bers Of the Street Railway Assembly and
the railroad company, and that when the F
and East Capitol streets line was ready to
be opened for operation by electricity it
would be definitely settled whether the rail-
way was controlled by it's officers and d.
rectors or by its employees.
AntagOnized the Road.
1t Is stated by persons interested in the
company that on many occasions during
the recent session of Congress members of
the Street Railway Assembly were seen at
the Capitol, actively antagonizing the Off
GERS of the rlilroad company in their eff
forts to secure additional privileges from
Congress for the road. 1t is further stated
the headquarters of the knights of Labor
the journal Of the order, has aided in
bringing about the state of affairs which
caused the discharge of the men today.
1t is said that there was not one of the
discharged men who was not regarded as
a very capable employe, and some of them
had been in the service of the company for
many years.
1t is expected that the K. Of L. and local
Federation of Labor will at their next
meeting boycott the railroad company.
News Of the action of the railway COM
pany spread rapidly today among members
of workingmen's organizations, and much
Indignation was expressed by them.