The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-20

Metropolitan Men Protected in Their Places
Politicians can't MrdhIe.

III IL probably not generally known that a
majority OF the mntormcn, gripmpn and con-
ductors of the Metropolitan Street Hallway
nave financial interest in the company much
larger than that OF nero wage earncrs A ma
Jority OF these men are bondhodors OF the
company. and have become so through the en-
couragemcnt of the officers OF the company
The Metropolitan Street Railway Association
is an organization OF tho motormen gripmcn
and conductors. The headquarters is in the
second story of the power house at Fiftieth
street and Seventh avenue. II was organized
at tho suggestion OF Mr. Vreeland about four
years ago. 1t is really a club. and those
who Join it pay an initiation fee and annual
dues. In the past four years the association
has paid ont for medical attendance and for
funeral expenses something over $4,000.
Besides this amount the club accumulated a
fund OF about $1,000 in addition to
good sized cash balance in its treasury
for contingent expenses. After some discus
sion as to how this reserve fund should be in
vested it was decided to invest it in the bonds
Of the company. This was done aud the bonds
are now held by the treasurer Of the associa-
ton. who has created second reserve fund
out Of the interest on the bonds.
lured. Mr.. Nrealand wanted to send certain
famous surgeon to attend him. The wish OF
officers Of the association. who informed Mr..
VrecIand, With great dignity, that the associa-
would iscf emrnv fhe snr n our ,na
and pay the bill
), This spirit Of Independence among the men
has been fostered. shortly after Mr.. Nrreland
becam" President he was ovcrrun by emrloyecs
who, said they had been discharged. He no.
rearance. and he thought there must be
something wrong, He made inquiries, He
Seco%s ss 6 men had "f GsS
discharged. He said that was al wrong and
tha rp a conf he n in That He
got their jobs and how they lost them. Hc
learned that IN nearly every case they had been
recommended by politicians. He also learned
that. after the men began to earn regular
wages. they were no longer found at the corner
them hung o rhe Th"y np re az
home with their families and lost their use
Then he got them discharged and some Other
men hired in. their places. Mr.. Nrceland
n%wn Dn nbqThe4 h syssG ana ID. let be
ment with the company wasa sound body, alevel
head and a certificate OF character from
established the school for conductors. and
grinmen., and later, for motormen and tho
the school. Once on the waiting list.
nan can never lose bis - place unless 8, he
of the road has influence enough to Gust a man
from his Gacn en- the waiting s nns.s he
forfejted BY '"r miso"nd"c '' unless '' a''
This system has made the men independent
and the spirit has been encouraged in every
way by the officers of the COMPANY 1t was
said by one OF the men yesterday that an en-
and as sure of his job provided he behaves
himself. as an officer in the navy. The
result OF all this has bccn that
the men respect themselves and their
employers. The association which they
have formed holds monthly meet ings up at the
Seventh avenue power house. and reporter Of
THE Sun was told Yesterday that m officer OF
the company couldn't get into ore Of thoS..
the first things the members of this assoria-
ton went for was a library They made n be-
ginning af one four years ag o and to day they
have 1000 volumes.