The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-21

| ihSil
Two more letters on the subject of
the breaking up of the street car strike
were communicated to The Tribune
yesterday.
The first is from the strikers who
have returned to work, and is as fol-
lows:
1NsURGENT LETTER.
| Editor of The Tribune.
| Sir: The executive board in their statement
to the public i'll todays issue of the press, en-.
| deavor again to mislcad the public from bogin-
| hng to the end of their article, as they have
| us, until we became entirely disgusted and have
| acted independently OF them. They fatty con.
tradiet their own assertions in the second para
graph which shows them up very plainly to any
| intelligent reputable citizen Firstly they say
we were expelled at various times for conduct
| injurious TO the welfare of our organizations
| Now If we injured the union, by forming a So
cial club, where we could discuss our grievances
with one another in brotherly manner and en-
| deavor to have an honorable settlement of the
strike, which has been for an unjust and un-
called for motive, and have our families receive
| their necessary daily bread and clothes as well
| as to pay our debtors, does it stand to reason
that we should be proud of the fact that We have
| severed our relations with that body.
Secondly, they further state that by our actions
we have delayed the settlement of the present
| strike. Now we ask the public's candid judg-
| ment of the following. Time upon time various
| members have cndcavored to get a hearing, hut
| met with flat refusal each instance on the sub.
| jcct of having new committee appointed to
| interview Mr.. Sillman and endcavor to receive
| or secure proposition to be given through the
| executive board to the general body. Further
more we have asked for itemizcd accounts often,
but could never receive only a mere statement.
| Is it any wonder we became Thoroughly aroused
| to the fact that only the chosen few had access
to what was, and is the privilege of every MEM
Der in any organization! Have we no right to
appcarl to the common instinct of moral right?
Should we citizens and reputable union incn
be compelled to have our loved ones suffer?
When every man who is not with us knows in
his heart lie is supporting an unjust and sinful
cause.
In the first paragraph they also state we lave
delayed settlement of the strike. The strike
was originally called on account of the discharge
of two men whom the Scranton Railway COM
pany did not wish to keep in their employ ard
we defy the executive board or any member of
Local Union No. lGS to deny the same. Now,
however, they cast these two men aside to fight
| their own battle in 4 legal manner. This being
true. is it honorable to bring up an entirely new
and foreign issue? and continue this strike when
the main cause and issue was set aside months
ago. They state that our movement has not in
any way damaged their present condition, but
has, on the contrary, greatly strengthened it.
Has any child ever read such nonsense? And so
many contradictions, really we think their article
would be awarded first prize ut any circus, for
real clowny act, for they acknowledge firstly
that we have caused the union harm by our ac-
tions, and right on top, rather following the
same, they plainly state we have strengthened it.
nltt-n IL
what You mean? Furthermore they say we have
been bone OF contention to the union ever
since its origin. This every intelligent man
knows cannot be true, when they have repeatedly
published that all members are firm and solid
in the ranks This shows up another untruth.
Ii any man is dishOnorabe, who cndeavors to
have, and make peace in Il community and does
his utmost to support his family, thcn and then
only are we willing to be judged We are sup.
porting families now, and enleavoring to
liQuidate our Indebtedness to those WHO have so
kindly and charitably assisted us at home as well
as our cause, as long as they knew we were in
the right, and we shall continue TO work and
get others to work as long as we know that 10
honorable settlement can be secured by the pres.
ent existing executive board
Therefore we ask every true union man. and
every citizen, to ride on the cars thereby aiding
us directly and support consequently those at
home whom we have long deprived.
(Signed) The Committee
Robert Shaw, Chairman.
scranton, Feb. %, 1902.
The second letter is from the eXecu-
tive committee of the strikers who are
still on strike. 1t reads as follows:
FROM THE COMMITTEE.
Editor of The Tribune
Sir: 1t is not the desire OF the executive com