The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-13
GRIEVANCE OF BROOKS
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE CON-
FERS WITH JOHN f. WALLICK.
Reason Why President of Messengers
Union Was Discharged-Strike
Not Probable.

The discharge by the Western Union Tele-
graph Company of one of it's messenger
boys, Walter Brooks, president of the new
messenger boys union, was not without
cause. The fact that young Brooks had
just been installed as president of the
United Messenger Boys Union of Indianap-
oils, No. 1888, had nothing to do with the
dismissal, except that it brought about an
investigation by a committee of the Central
Labor Union.
The investigating committee, which was
composed of John l.. Feltman and Frank
Duffy. secretary of the United Brotherhood
Of Carpenters and Joiners held a confer
ence yesterday with Superintendent John
F. wallick of the Western Union Com
pany, to ascertain the charges against the
boy and whether they were sufficient to
warrant his discharge. The committee was
told that unionism did not enter in any way
into the dismissal, but that it was due to
the unsatisfactory attitude by the boy. The
committee decided to investigate the matter
further, and will hold another conference
to-day 1t had been understood that the
dismissal was partly for union reasons.
NOT AvERSE TO UNION.
Mr.. Wallick said the telegraph company
did not care how many unions the boys
had. but the fact that they were in union
could not give them liberties and privileges
such as were taken by Brooks. He said
that as long as the boys attended to bust
ness they would be retained, whether they
were in unions or not. He said there was
no discrimination.
The charges against young Brooks date
back several months. He had been in the
am nln of a
months, and although not unusual boy,
performed his duty very well at first. How
ever. he began to take more time in the de-
livery of messages than was necessary, and
was reprimanded by the company several
times. On the 18th OF last April he was
bailed out of jail by Mr. Wallick, after
number of other boys had gone out to
Broad Ripple and broken into the boat
house, stealing the oars and oar locks. He
was told then that his services with the
asked to be taken back and given another
trial, which was done. However, he con-
tinued to consume several hours in the de-
livery of messages. in spite of the warnings
of the company. Since Brooks was elected
president OF the boys union he has done
just about as he pleased Brooks is a night
messenger, and the fact that they are paid
by time and not by the number of messages
was a loss to the company. The night that
President Roosevelt was in town Brooks
went away at o'clock and did not return
for several hours 1T is claimed.
MADE A BAD RECORD.
Nothing was said by the company until
last Wednesday night. Brooks asked to get
off from 100 until 1880, but on account of
the rush of business and the scarcity of
messengers he was refused. He was sent
out that evening with two dispatches one
out Meridian street and one out on College
avenue. Brooks did not return until after
10 o'clock. He had delivered the message
on Meridian street. but the other one he
did not deliver because, as he said. his
wheel had broken down. Consequently, the
boy was discharged for good. Mr.. Wallick
said Brooks would not be taken back under
any circumstances, as he was unreliable
and of a bad disposition.
In regard TO the rumor of strike among
the messenger boys. Mr.. Wallick said that
he had seen no such manifestations and did
not think there was any probability OF such
action. In case there was the company
would have no trouble in getting new boys
as the public schools are just out. or they
could engage adult messengers. The MEM
bers of the committee OF the Central Labor
Union say they will do their best TO avoid