The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-18
THE METROPOLITAN LINES.
,o,RD OF ADMIRATION SPENDS
THE DAY OYER THEM.

N., Are Satished-Then q. NJ. W. PAR
,opsIIntroduces Them to His Grievance
Committee No strike, MIR. Vreeland Says
mia state Board OF Mediation and Arbitra-
A., consisting OF Francis Is. Delchanty OF New
80 Dr william II. H. Webster OF Buffalo
- tohn ]. Gilbert Of Syracuse. met IL. ii.
vrn,l,nd. President OF the Metropolitan street
pau,av yesterday afternoon at the office OF
narvn Nacdona. one of the attorneys for the
u,,ronolitan. at 81 Nassau street. The con-
sa.o,,,a lasted from 2:l5 O'Clock until AIS.
A. woodland was asked to meet the board to
aiscuss the alleged grievances OF some Of the
an,,loyaes After the meeting was over Mr..
noiohon,y gave out the following statement:
nv arrangement. the State Board OF Media
,op ard Arbitration met President Vreeand
-, IN. Metropolitan Street Railway system In
,ba nrnce Of II. ID Macedonia. its attorney. 81
Nassau street this city. The board was very
cordially received. and had conference OF
,rIIytwo hours in discussing the pending rail-
way trouble in this city
"Tbe hoard stated to Mr.. vreeland that the
E,scutiyp Committee Of the Knights OF Labor
nad called upon it early last week. claiming to
represent large number of dissatisfied en-
n,nv.es in the Metropolitan system. and had
nresenteda list Of alleged grievances, signed
With four names. Of men claiming to represent
IN. second sixth. Eighth and Fourth avenue
divisions,
Mr. yrpcland explained in detail to the
hoard the system under which the time tables
NJ the road were made up. and the rules and
reoulations under which the road was oper-
sted He stated. among other things. that the
wages paid on the Metropolitan system were
the highest paid in any system except Boston.
with which city the rates were uniform. He
had n his possession. and presented to the
l.aNz L., l.
over 700 Of its employees stating that they
had no cause to complain OF their work wages
or the management!of the road.
Mr. vreeand further said. in view OF the
fact that a large majority of the employees re-
undated the action OF the few disconnected
men represented by the Executive Committee
n the Knights Of Labor. that It did not appear
trated between the raj road corporation and
it, employees He further said that if at any
time majority Of the employees we're dissat-
sflei with the rules and regulations OF the
company and would present their grievances
hem and nd rcctiy the same il possible. He
claimed that in view OF the fact thatoO per cent.
q the tota nnmher OF ssmPl2iyefss affected th by
isfacton with the rules. wages and manage
nent he considered there was no trouble be-
tween the Metropolitan system and its en-
M yreelands n9sit9n :, makes i clear ito to
present status Of affairs to have recourse to
Arbitration. and the board does not. therefore
deem It advisable to take further action at this
Before the conference Mr., yreeand said that
there would be no strike VI II base that state.
knowledge OF the men. their work. their meet
inGs and their families: It is based on the
knowledge OF the number OF FIVE and ten year
the statement signed by . 7O0of our 32OO men
In the operating department that they are sat
been said that these signatures were obtained
through improper means To say that is to
little their independence. The fear of loss Of
employment didn't deter the men over the
bridge who wanted to strike from striking.
body said our lines would be tied up. ! said
we would have no strike. and We didn't. Then.
assure us that they had no reason to strike and
no intention to do so. Again, in 1898; when
sSme dschassd empo!ee 20 staten
hcommttee OF the men had made this demand.
The statement was promptly denied by the
another, fastened to assure US OF, their good
VIII. believe there will be no strike, II some
one knows better than do the attitude Of our
men, that person ought to be President of the
After pr. Parsons learned that Mr.; vreeland
ZION TO-, that ia he saw p9thing to arbitrate: he said
Transit"
bned influence OF both corporations will be
pressed into service for mutual Aid and pro
fet.1b o o5gf b a labor YOU'D then have t9
my business to arouse laboring men. wherever
they may be in this country. to come to the as
s sn.S nee 81 their comrades, the surface rail-
This is in line with report published yes
that the Metropolitan was sending motormen
70 brn"kyn 1t has not sent man or been
asked 70 send one.
parspDG aft i1pi Ia nj oh
that the State Board Of Arbitration had met
during the evening With representatives OF the
whole Metropolitan situation was thoroughly
discussed; According to Mr.. Parsons the meet
Sn Hce ' at When hs hS0 tSs
grievances Of the men are to be ventilated 1t
b WAS decided to leng: t1niGhts meeting by
Elk L. Edward tklne, Of the Social Reform
graphical Union No. q, Mr. Parsons said: ~
s as sasd % &. the G "a e M With
tan lines as to the violations Of the ten: hour
law % places him in the position of not
the States statutes. This. in my judg-
mTent.. fully justitics my action in appeal
70 Join forces with their associates in
tne employ Of this company TO- compe! an OBJ:
an opportunity. / think. for organized Ia Dor to
demonstrate that II can accom- plish something
Wnen determined to act.
Mr.. vreeands action first in refusing to
receive committee Of his own employees
s shd now in preventing an investigation Of
u may be possible for him to do this land no
d"uht he will be allowed to do 1t
g. lar as the officers Of the law OF
thLs city ar" concerned) but 1t is time
l"r the citizens and the general public to he
i"uted 10 ask the question. What are you 60
II M attempt is made 10 create a strike on
hhv M"trouolitan lines it will be- the trolley
INES Mr.. Parsons said that the cable lines
%uuH b" e' n one. EmiSsarirs Of the X. of l..
nay" lor days been talking to the mOtormen.
u ne tickets for the meeting tonight were
distributed 10y the thousands in the Metro
polltan stables last night
Cleveland Tugmen May Strike.