The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-11
WARNINGS COMMENTED MEN
WHAT ARBITRATION HAS DONE
For THE STREET CLEANERS.

the conference Flnu suREcStcu Dy tno aou-
misSioncr-dood Feeling Between Officers
md wen and Efficiency In the Service.
One year ago last January. at tho suggestion
Of Col. Warning, there was formed I'm organiza-
tion whose object was to establish friendly rela-
lions between tho mon of the working force and
tho officers of the Street Cleaning Department.
Tho mon OF the department selected II commit
teo OF forty-onc, made up of thirty-two members
from tho section stations and nine from tho
stable. This committee then selected FIVE
spokesman, and they, together with the General
superintendent, the chief clerk, n district
superintendent a section superintendent, and
a stable foreman, who acted as the representa-
tivcs of Col. Warning, formed tho Board OF Con-
ference. which met on the third Thursday OF
every month. Tho Committee of Forty-onc met
three times u month, and tho members were not
"dockcd for the time spent In the meetings.
As tho business transacted was OF u secret ma
turc, they were nblo TO discuss with perfect
freedom everything connected with their work,
their relations with Col. Warning and his subor-
dinatos, and all questions Of discipline, duty,
and pay in which they wero interested, or which
their colaborcrs had submitted to them. Tho
ten members of the Board OF Conference wore
on terms of perfect equality, and they estab-
lishcd their own organization and mado their
own rules of procedure. Tho men OF the depart
ment chose rs their spokesman Sweepers Thomas
p. Hand, John McKccver, and Edward O'Brien,
and Drivers Edward Hagen and Joseph Clifford.
Col. Warning was represented by Stable Foreman
David Donohue. District Superintendent Fred
l.. Stcarns, Section Foreman Conrad Schicr-
baum. and Chief Clerk Thomas A. Doe. At tho
first meeting. which was hold q month after the
subject OF the organization was first mentioned,
Sweeper Hand was selected as permanent Chair.
man and Chief Clerk Doe. permanent Secretary.
In his first annual report. which was recently
handed TO Col. Warning. Secretary Doc says:
From the beginning 1t was evident that n large
number of the men had II full appreciation OF the
purpose Of tho plan. They welcomed i, in Il
manly spirit and entered heartily into every de-
tail Of the organization. This was the moro
strange because Il large percentage OF the men
were members OF ana amcnablc to organizations
which existed in the department under former
administrations and tho influence of false teach
ing. received from falscr prophets. could not be
expected to cease without an effort on the part
of those whose success depended uLon dissch.
sions which might occur. or. which they could
create, between the Commissioners and the men,
and who were seldom soon by the men except
when they thought an opportunity existed for
deceived and mislcd those whose interests they
were supposed to protect.
Aside from those identified by membership
with these organizations there were many, not
members, who held a latent sympathy with tho
old system of settling differences by strikes. 1t
was generally understood among them, that
wrongs must either bo borne or settled by co.
erciOn. Arbitration was looked upon a3 u 1Ar-OU
theory, and the idea OF its adaptation 10 and
adoption by the Street Cleaning Department.
when political preference was The only rule they
had ever known, never entered their minds. In
fact, they were warned by skeptics. both outside
Of the department and in their own ranks; 10
look out for Warning; this Is one of his tricks
That my Street Cleaning. Commissioner even
though he were an ANGEL, should honesty n,
the rank and hlc of those under him was too
much To believe.
"Gradually. however. the better element
among the men did believe II, and, as their faith
grew STRONGER. the malcontcnts were either con.
yertcd or thrust out until the Committee OF
Forty.onc became n body OF earnest and honest
Co-operators with the Commissioner. \ very false
Impression obtains, among the public at large
are below the average in intelligence and acu-
me Gn but , it would aya1a be = ii aIiEp{ day 70 ,o Gi .hiS So 'ho
fairness and judgment of these men who have
been chosen by their constituents as representa-;
drittcd in and disturbing spirits appeared. but
this element was soon detected and eliminated
Mr.. Doe pays a high tribute to the character
and Intelligence Of the five members of tho
and he says that uniform courtesy and gentle
manly but firm adherence TO parliamentary
several instances Of questions brought before
the board for settlement in order, to show in II
reports that there was only one case considered
during the year upon which the members could
representative OF the men on one side and those
Of Col. Warning on the other. The liability TO n
cali for the formation OF the Organization by
providing that IL any matter arises in which the
board could mot come Gh to- a suhstan "a agree.
ncnt Secretary should argue the case before the
Commissioned, whose decision was final.
This case. which did not occur until after tho
board had been IN operation for many months,
was u novelty. The men considered il a test
case. and the matter WAS watched with great
interest on all sides. Col. Waring finally de-
cidcd II in favor OF the complainant. but the
fine which had been imposed was rcmiltcd. In
his report. however. Col. Warning stated that
technically the fine was a Just one, but he
thought the ends OF Justice and discipline were
fully satisfied by the mental anxiety to which
tho driver had been subjected and the full dis
tee of Forty.onc and the Board OF Conference.
rd The matters to r., referred Rased by t the Gommit,SS Of
character. They are not all complaints. The
board, Secretary Doe says, frequently receives
suggestions from the men as to improvements
in the department service and qualifications
and changes in its rules. A number OF these
s,,Sgssiions have been Sdopted by Col. Waring:
been benefited thereby. Many Of tho cases sub
United to the Committee Of Forty-one are OF
before they reach The Board OF Confcrcnce.
On Feb. Is the first anniversary of the arbi-
was given in II hall near CITY, Hall Park; There
were fifty guests present; including Col; Warning.
Cushing. Speeches Of congratulation were
made. ana from tho expressions OF satisfaction
t~ration had been n success. The celebration was
without ostcntation. and 10 account OF It was
| plDllSncu IN any OF Inc newspapers OF the city.
i was more in the nature of a family gathering.
Mr.. doc Says. for the purpose OF expressing. face
to face, to Col. Waring the qualification OF the
men at the satisfactory results OF the first years
experience.
The personnel OF tho board, as far rs the repre-
seniatiycs OF the men are concerned. has been
changed from time to time. Those repre-.
scnting them now are Swcepers John J. Ecks.
John Marks. and Patrick Hayden, and Drivers
John Moran and John Tyrrcll. or the original
swecpOrs on the board one has since been pro-
NOTED TO the post of section foreman. Tho fol-
lowing IL q statement OF the years work OF tho
Board of Conferences:
Matters TX Explained satisfactorily at the same meet.
Ing ut which submitted 10
Fines RENTED or reduced ................. 23
Fines sustained ~
Suggestions from employees for the comfort and
convenience OF the men or for the betterment OF
the department service approved and acted upon
10y the Commissioner. ... "a
Cases considered by the board. but on which II de-
terinined that no action should he taken. ....... II
Employees di smissod, ~reinststed upon satisfactory
evidence that the dismiss as were unmeTited %. Q
Employees dismi ,sci, hut because OF unsatisfac.
tory explanations not reinstated ...,n,...... II