New-York tribune., 1911-01-04
DISREGARD MAYORS WISH
Union Makes Public His Letters
on the Subway Problem.

r,,-,.oe-,r riding the wish Of Mayor GayHo
=. -. no vv-ota 10 the Central LABOR
T-,ion Of Brooklyn on the subway coii-
.~o,,ersv he kept a secret, the letters IN
question became public yesterday III ''4~il
,ar which could not oe explained IN Ihe
Labor Iyceum WILLIAMSBURG where tne
ohor Union has its headquarters D"l II
r,os admitted there last night that the lel-
,ors we're the Identical ones which nave
,,,,sad such hostile criticism 10 De d.
ractad AGAINST His Honor from the labor
ing masses.
Unsuccessful efforts have been mace toI
two weeks by members of the central Id
bor Union TO learn the contents OF the let
-ers The officers refused 20 reveal their
contents, but at a secret meeting OF the
union held a week ago IL was decided TO
refer the matter 70 the executive commit
tee with full power TO either give ont the
letters or keep them secret.
Mayor Gaynor in his reply to communi-
cation from the union. wrote.
ct IL strange indeed II there be any
working man in this city who wants two
or three independent subway systems so
that he will have the great privilege OF
paying an extra fare every time he wants
to transfer
Another paragraph which offended the
union was the following: II there be any
labor union that wishes 70 consider the
matter they had better turn Il over 70
some one who knows more about II than
you do.
II suppose you wrote me your letter so
as to air yourselves in the newspapers by
publishing my answer"
To the Mayors letter the union made this
reply:
For twenty-five years this body has be-
lieved In and advocated municipal owner
snip and operation Of transportation lines.
and much Of that time have regarded Your
honor as an able exponent OF our positi
No sufficient argument has Yet been Of
fered 10 change our position.
Your letter has not been given 10 the
press, but n has been referred 20 the sub
way committee for further consideration.
The Central Labor Union will continue Sc
renely On its way when necessary express
ing It's convictions without anger, passion
or-preju ice. yet clearly and plainly enough
20 be understood. II Il no crime II others
honestly diner with Us. The elected officials
Of the city, the servants Of the people
have in the past shown no resentment AZ
our addressing them.
To this communication the Mayor was
little ulllQET fi4di llr i4dfl Atfilf DlL ne bD-
iected 70 the Secretary using rubber
stamp in signing his name. The Mayor
briefly wrote:
hope | shall never live 10 see indepen-
dent lines Of railways in this great city, ne
cessitating the payment OF TWO fares. All
the subwavs that can be built under the
statute are owned by the citv from the
very start, whether built with the city's
money or with private capital, Just the
same "A thing which come Il you people do
not seem 20 have any conception OF That
being so, ! do not know why each subway
should he rugged UP "a a separate system,
so that II will be necessary 10 pay new
fare 10 transfer from one 20 the other. Are
vou able 10 give me single reason for
such a thing? II you are, | shall DC very
glad 10 hear from YOU, or shall be very
G lad 70 have delegation or your people