New-York tribune., 1899-07-15
ROSSITER AND THAT CHECK
ALBERT JOHNSON WILL PRODUCE 1T
FOR $1,000.
ORGANIZATION OF BROOKLYN TROLLEY EN-
PLoYEs PROCEEDING STEADILY. But
STRIKE NOT LIKELY AT PRESENT
LEADERS IN OPPOSITION.

There were practically new developments
yesterday in the threatened strike situation.
Rumor and gossip plentiful but nothing
definite was said or done. Albert Johnson,
former president Of the Nassau Railroad Com
pany, was not at his Fort Hamilton home when
a Tribune reporter called there yesterday. but
he has admitted that he gave a $500 check to
the fund Of the employees of the Rapid Transit
Company. which is low. Mr.. Johnson says that
he is willing to accept Mr. Rossiter's offer Of
81 600 for the check. When seen yesterday in
his Manhattan office. Mr.. Johnson said:
IF Mr.. Rossiter gives me the $1,000 reward
I'll give him that check at once. II Is for 5000
and was drawn on the National Union Bank TO
the order OF General Master Workman Parsons
1t is dated July 8. 1899. and it's number is $50
The employees called at my home down in Fort
Hamilton, and told me that their treasury was
empty. made out the check at once, and. ac-
cordng to their instructions, drew 1t to the
order Of Mr. Parsons"
Mr. Johnson was inclined to be facetious in
speaking of Mr. Rosster. You know" said
Mr. Johnson, that the men came to me for my
advice Tell that 10 Mr. Rossiter. They may
command me at any time in advisory ca
pacity Many Of the men have been my friends
| for from five to twenty years Mr. Rossiter as
| sumes that the men have no grievances
! know they have. Let him publish his time Ia
| bles and the public will soon learn the amount
| Of work he is getting out Of his men 1t would
| also show why the object TO their wages
being reduced 20 per cent, especially in these
| good times When times were hard they re-
ceived better pay.
! when I became president OF the Nassau
road" continued Mr.. Johnson, Il introduced
hourly pay, and mans pay ran from the time
! he boarded a car until he left II. If MT KOS
| sitter did that and paid his men ~ cents an
hour, as did. he would soon dry up the sources
| Of dissatisfaction"
! A COMMITTEE TO CALL on MR.. ROSSIIEk'
Several leading employees Of the company who
are members OF the Knights OF Labor met last
night in Granada Hall, at No. 1lS Myrtle-aVe'
! and held a long conference with representatives
Of the employees Of the elevated railroads. IL
was finally decided to appoint committee con-
sistng Of two employees OF the surface rall-
roads and two Of the IL" employees, to meet
President Rossiter at 10 o'clock this morning
This committee will ask Mr. Rossiter TO make
certain concessions in writing regarding work
ing hours. extra trips pay for overtime, and so
on Just what Mr.. Rossiter will do is unknown
but II ne follows his former course of action he
| will not consent TO make a written agreement
I with the men.
dent Vreeland Of the Metropolitan Traction
/ Company visited Mr. Rossiter yesterday after
{ noon. and they were closeted together Tor a
/ long time. The nature OF their conference couIu
/ not be ascertained.
Many of the division superlntendents met
President Rossiter late yesterday afternoon;
H. and theT ,took a flying trip on the speciai
trolley car Brighton. presumably 10 discuss the
situation. What was said they kept to them
selves.
Members Of the Bridge Trainmen's Benevolent
Union were invited a few days ago TO cooper
ate with the trolley car employees. The union
refused even 10 consider the proposition.
ROssITER DENIES JOHNsON's STATEMENTS.
President Rossiter was emphatic yesterday in
his denias Of the statements made by Mr..
Johnson Mr. kossiter said that he had care
fully read the interviews with Mr.. Johnson, AMI
added
when Mr. Johnson states that the pay Of
the men on the Nassau lines has been reduced,
he says what he knows to he untrue.
DO your men receive less pay than when
they worked for the Johnsons on the Nassau
line?' was asked.
They do not" replied Mr.. Rossiter Il am
making UP a list Of the Nassau line employees
and checking of the pay each man got formerly
and that which he is now receiving. More than
10 per cent Of the men are receiving better
wages now than they did formerly
Haven't you discharged a number OF men
Yes" said Mr.. Rossiter and in every IN
stance for good and sufficient reasons Find a
man who has been unjusty discharged by the
COMPANY and shall at once reinstate him with
pay for lost time
..Do vour advertisements for motormen and
conductors mean that you anticipate strike?
mo the Advertisements are the same that
we have had In the newspapers for the last two
wears We employ men every week IN the
ordinary course and development Of business.
We had two fatal accidents yesterday. and IT is
,rohable that we may have 70 discharge these
tvo rootormen and put other men in their
places"
OPINIONS AND COUNTER OPINIONS.
u ,s ouite clear that Mr.. Rossiter has neither
belief nor faith in the threatened strike He
s1,tas that nronnises made 10 a committee OF the
men have been broken He said that the COM
,rittAe had made only one complaint and that
vrss about the time schedule on one Of the lines
which according to agreement, mas oeen
changed.
! Others were not 80 sanguine that the men
will refrain from striking. Several VINO proiexss x
10 know believe that while there may hOt De
general strike a large number Of the men
alleged to be dissatisfied with their nouts, Pas
| and treatment will soon strike. ana that " w. "
thev 40 the rest Of the men Will follow theHl
This is NOT the view Of the labor leaders, VI
even the most ardent agitators, or OK the oest
friends Of the men, In their opinion, tnose nos.
who are insidiously urging some or the men
90 s,rIke are simply crimirals labor leader
who is respected and admired for his lnteLi-
gence. common sense and conservatism, toIa
tribune reporter last night that while ne woulo
40 anything he possibly could for the better
ment of the condition Of workrnen ne was
absolutely opposed 10 strike
HOW TO AVERT STRIKES
How would you avert strikesT was ASKED
by not having them at ALL" was the answer
"I mean that they should never be resorted TO-
There are other ways and saner methods OF
settling all troubles between the employer anu
the employed"
s'What they?"