New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-22

THE FORMER ADAMS EXPRESS COMPANY
EMPLOYEES DEMAND THE RIGHT TO BE-
LONG TO A UNION-MR WEIR
SAYS THE WORST TROUBLE
is OVER

The work OF the Adams Express Company's srik-
Ing drivers and helpers has settled down to going over
their old routes and trying divert the business OF
the company into the hands OF other companies They
assemble daily at Ledwith Hall. Forty-fifthst and
Third-ave. and report progress. They say they are
Gripping the business OF the company in this way
They were much elated Yesterday over the an
nouncement that Master Workman Kelly OF District
Assembly No ~. Knights of Labor. would call out
all the drivers and helpers OF the Adams company In
all the Eastern cities unless the out here and
those discharged relnsated The strikers fully
expect that this general strike will be ordered on
Monday.
President T. c. Weir dlscredits any such proceed
Ing lie isn't giving the announcement thought he
says. as he does not believe the company's employees
in other cities would go out if called upon to do
The traffic OF the company being better handled
yesterday. according to Mr.. Weir. than on any day
since last Saturday. lie is confident that ne has
passed through the part of the trouble
The strikers yesterday gave the following state
meni. addressed public and patrons OF the
company:
We. the employees Of the Adams Express Company,
wish most respectfully bring to the notice OF me
shipping public In general the reasons that led up TO
Fiist-We claim. as American citizens, the right to
belong to any organzaon that we sec nt a. 9hg as
Express Company. and If. after many years OF SER
vice. we are unfortunate enough TO be discharged. we
would Ike to know ne reasons why.
Second-The present difficulty not brought
o ann nv ss hoST OF Of sbor hut
do your friendly feeling toward the late empOyes OF
the company. know you VIII appreciate our EFFORTS
MAIN tain manhood.
Third We only ask for the reinstatement OF those
men who were discharged since June for being
members If labor organization.
+. 9Th ee committees having waited on the
President and no concessions being made. we were
compelled 10 take the present action
Another committee Of strikers in Jersey City. con-
sisting OF James Bedford. W C. Johnson, II. NJ. Can
non and J. Cunningham make the following state
ment regarding their difficulties with the company:
although both bad enough. but we want recog-
milton Of our order Men have been discharged right
and left without apparent reason. and have struck
protect themselves from this continued cutting
down
The company hires helper and puts him on a
wagon with a making $15 a month. Then after
he broken in they discharge the S15 man ana put
the helper in charge at a sa.ary OF $50.
This kind Of work has been going on Tor a long
time and was virtually the OF our forming pro-
tectve rganiza tons. The matter has now come
to a head and must have our societies recognized
by the company. a committee has been appointed to
wait on the president Of the company in this city and
request him once more to make the concession We
ask for II he does not will notify our brother
OrganiZa tons in every city throughout the I nlted
States where the Adams Express Company has off-
ces and a general strike will be ordered. We are
confident the company has lost great amount OF
they are shipping their goods through other com
panies.
Reports have been circulated that the men have
epredai ed the companys property. hut this We WISH
way with the men employed by the company
and who have taken our places nor do we lntend 20
We simply want recognition Of our order, ana until
that is conceded will continue this strike