New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-01
W. II. W. WEBSTER IN CHARGE
BROOKLYN TROLLEY MEN PLACE THEIR
INTERESTS IN HIS HANDS
AT MEETING LAST EVENING HE WAS ASKED
TO PRESENT THE DEMANDS OF THE MEN
TO PRESIDENT RossITER

To PRESIDENT RossITER
Al late hour last night there were wild ru-
mors in Brooklyn ic reference to the threatened
strike OF the trolley employees. They. usual.
mostly rumors. however with little basis
OF fact. The same cry preceded the great rail-
way strike OF a few years ago. Those who de-
clare that they know the existing conditions be-
tween the employers and their employees are in
clned to believe that at midnight to- morrow or
on the eve or Independence Day the employees In
order 20 embarrass the company, will declare
a strike. This OF course. is contingent on the
possibility that Mr.. Rosster refuses to-day TO
grant the demands OF the men or asks for more
time.
In Exchange Hall at Sixth-ave. and FIJI
feminist. last night there was meeting OF
some OF the employees OF the roads which are
Included within the lines of the Brooklyn Rapid
transit Company. John y. Parsons. General
Master Workman OF the Knights Of Labor. and
William II. W. Webster Of the State Board Of
Arbitration. were present and delivered ad-
dresses principally 10 the delegates ot the Mas
sau Division District Association The meeting
was held behind closed doors
Mr. Parsons and Mr.. Webster In the after
noon had long consultation with Master Work
man Pines. OF District Assembly No ~ Knights
OF Labor. and the three decided that Mr.. Web
ster should see President Clinton l.. Rossiter OF
the Rapid Transit Company. in order to reach
. an understanding between the employees aud the
railroad officials. He did So and Mr.. Rossiter
told him that as the men had presented no griev
ance there nothing to arbItrate. Mr.. Web
ster informed Mr. Rossiter that the men desired
TO hava a limited days work at a specified pay
hour, and pleaded that their requests receive
I consideration
Mr.. Webster report I'd the result OF his inter
view with President Rossiter at the meeting
last night. and it was decided that ne on behalf
Of organized labor. should present the argu-
ments Of the men to President Rossitei to-day.
and make report to the men at meeting TO
6e held ia Prospect Hall, in Prospective. near
Fifth-ave.. tomorrow night.
1t is understood that Mr. Webster will ask
behalf OF the men that the company agree
to work them no more than ten hours day
that they he paid for time at the rate Of ~
/ cents an hour. and that time be given them out
Of the regular hours FOR meals.
WON'T TELL PLACE OF MEETING.
There was marked inclination In Wall Street
! yesterday to swallow with large grain OF salt
every rumor about the predicted strike Of surface
circulated that the state OF discomfort among the
men had been greatly exaggerated with de.i p
/ to bear traction stock I'm the market
Ii IT, Nreeland, president Of the Metropolitan Str et
/ Railway Company. said that all talk OF q strike
/ on Manhattan Island nonsense. He declared
that he knew the temper OF his men intima ely, and
any discomfort which existed among them was all
on the surface and by no means affected the mass
Of the roads seven thousand employees No formal
/ complaint had TO him rom the men. az "A
body and he declared they knew that II they had
/ a real grievance he would do all In his power to
! alleviate 1t.
! l. organizing the men on the Metropolitan lires
was asked Yesterday when and where he woiic
! call the proposed mass meeting OF the employees e
demand the redress alleged 20 be needed. II d,
! not care to say where and when the meeting vii
take pIace" said he. because II II was published
there would he mob gathered. and among then
| many spies | do not TO have the spies pres
ent This meeting will be a business meeting. and
for business purposes A.,
! Mr. parsons reiterated what he has said for the
last few DAYS about the Metropolitan street Raj
! wav officers and added why. the officers OF TINS
! company have offered to hear complaints from tnf
men and rectify them. Some men. thinking the
/ company sincere. made complaints. and the com
/ pany a few days afterward discharged the coni'
] niainants on mere pretexts There Will be no more
! Of this business. II we held public meeting tnt
! company would have spies present ana you kno"
! what that would mean.