The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-31
PARSONS'S PAPER UNION.
TOULD-BE STRIKE LEADER EXPOSED
BEFORE THE G. n. u.
He Failed to Produce to tho Central Body
Any Proof of Amy Organization mt All of
Metropolitan street Railway EMPLOYEES
triI .InhnrnaI,, IlIlnhlN

He Failed to Produce to tho Central Body
ANY Proof of Amy Organization mt All of
Metropolitan street Railway EMPLOYEES
The strike Was "Indorsed" Blindly.
Tho paper organization Of motormen and
conductors on the Metropolitan Street Railway
system. alleged to have been formed by Cen
eral Master Workman John n. Parsons before
the recent strike flasco. was punctured. riddled
and cons igned to the limbo OF all such mythical
bodies at the meeting OF the Central Federated
Union yesterday. Parsons. who was not pres
cnt at the meeting. was left without any official
standing "a n labor leader as no proof had
been produced that his alleged union had ever
existed or that he had done anything more
positive than talk since the strike agitation
began. What effect this will have on the new
labor political movement that Parsons sug-
gested will not be known until after the pre-
liminary conference to agree upon platform
takes place on Aug Z.
Robert Winston, delegate OF the Liberty
Dawn Association OF Coach Drivers announced
that Parsons in the last week had enrolled 300
motormen and conductors into union at
meeting at Seventy third street and Third ave-
nue.. and added:
There was strong indignation against Presi-
dent Prince Of the Central Federated Union
for his language at the meeting OF the miscel-
laneous section last Tuesday night. He said
that Parsons turned over corpse to the Cen
trail Federated Union when he got II to appoint
q treasurer for fund for the strikers. and he
objected to being appointed on Mr.. Parsons's
relief committee OF fifteen. 1t was strange
speech for a man who last SUNDAY advocated
independent political action and it threw q
wet blanket on all plans for aiding the
strikers"
Winston went on to say that it might be an
other DR., Jekyll and Mr.. HYDE case. and that
a., ,l,, atb ,>th
meetings. though It looked like the same man
Prince got out of the chair to defend himself
He declared that he was the man who spoke at
am in sympathy with the men who went
out he said. ~ there was strike, but
anything to do with dead strike. I'm not
here to build up the Knights OF Labor am
Of Ia"q have snG to
waste / will not waste it on the knights
Parsons wanted to hand a dead package 10
us when he appointed Il committee OF
fifteen to handle contributions for the re-
lief OF the strikers. I'm dealer in live
me by being appointed OH such committee
am in favor of an independent political Labor
sons with 100000 behind it to keep the ball
rolling have not criticised ths mnnagoment
mittce now that the strike. such as it was, is
over" t., ,.. ,,,, no,or,.. r,,or =, ,,o
caisson workers. that delegates from an or
gani2ation OF street car employees formed by
| Mr.. Parsons under the auspices OF the Knights
| this body"
Prince replied in the negative. and Herman
miscellaneous section to which the credentials
Of the alleged union were referred took hand
| in the discussion. 49,
the Ssey' he %o saa d. G9RF GR Rs GGsns vs
talked OF first COMMITTEES from the misce-
| laneous section was appointed TO Investigate
| the standing OF the alleged union. That com
mittee was unable to mako report 1t is a
fnnf hnf Nrn n m at a
the time that | was dissatisfied. but not for
publication. AS did not want to do the strike
Robinson declared that Parsons had on two
! occasions promise! to satisfy the committee
to appear. Though an appointment was made
each time. There was no proof offered that
Some OF the Knights OF Labor were doing
very sneakinc work" he concluded.
a., You sh9uIdn,t say what You hi think at all
Cutters, There's no doubt, that the motor
men and condHc2Ts had , tfed o to better their
| strike fund. ast Sunday l was appointed
treasurer and have received only S2ld up to
4 delegate. asked what was done with the
credentials OF the alleged union OF surface rail
They we're laid over until we could find
whether the union was bona fide one or not"
named on the credentials. mel Their one Of whom
| was street ear employee. Parsons promised
to meet committee Of which was member
| at a certain place at 3 o'clock sharp on Satur-
| day night. when he would introduce us. he said
| to the new union. We went there and waited
until 10. but not soul appeared. We made no
| report in order not to do the men any possible
| injustice on the eve OF u strike. We left our
cards for Parsons and went away. Parsons has
| ncTer made any attempt since to prove that the
union EXISTS. don know that It existed then
or that it exists to-day. All do know is that
! have no use for labor leaders with methods
like those OF Parsons"
Delegate Egan OF the Letter Carriers asked
II the delegates Of the alleged union were not
| seated by the &. +. L.
| 4 reference to the books and the minutes
showed that they never were seated,
| The employers will be glad OF this split in
the ranks OF organized labor" said a delegate.
IT il no split" retorted Prince. I'm only
| stating incts.'
Princes report Of the failure of the Creden;
| tials Committee to find that Parsonss alleged
union Of surface railroad men ever existed was
accepted One OF the Brooklyn strikers. who
at the beginning OF the strike aspired TO be u
leader. said. after the c. F. L.. meeting was
over. that its proceedings, would put the or
ganizng OF street railroad men back for ten
years at least.