New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-23
TAXI STRIKERS, OUT
6 HOURS, co BACK
Mason-Seaman CO. Makes
Concessions to 400 Men
on Minor Grievances.

Robert Andrews. who looks like a
Young curate but is a chauffeur, led
400 of his fellows on strike at noon
Yesterday against the Msson-Seaman
TRANSPORTATION Company. because >. ,.
Stephenson. long superintendent OF
the company. had been discharged, and
J. p. Holdsworth. who is unpopular
with the men. put in his place.
At s o'clock last evening Andrews,
borne on-the shoulders of some OF M
husky followers, led the 400 back tC
work. as the directors of the company
had received Holdsworth's resignation.
A committee of the strikers was in
formed that Stephenson would be re
turned to power ". II. Barnard, presi-
dent of the company, will act as super
intendent until the directors take
formal action on Holdsworths case
and fill the vacancy.
Incidentally minor grievances OF the
men. such as discharge without cause
10 make room for graduates OF the
Young Mems Christian Association
automobile school, compulsory hair
cuts and an attempt on the part of the
company to discourage tipplngs, we're
settled by the directors promising to
offend no more in that respect.
1t was further promised that as
soon as certain arrangements now
being tried out can be completed, the
men will get their share of the work
at the piers Of the transatlantic liners,
where returning Americans tip liberal
" and the stranger "within the gate
can be depended upon to be more lib
cral than the average run of GUS
toners.
The men had no union and wanted
none. Their leaders said they had
been affiliated with chauffeurs' unions
in the past and likewise with the In
ternational Brotherhood of Transfers,
and had had all the brotherly love
they wished. They did want old CON
dtions restored, including their old
"boss," and they wanted Jack Riley,
the companyS chief inspector, re-
tained in his place.
Stephenson, according 10 the men,
lost his place because he had refused
to discharge 70 of his old men TO make
room for the graduates of the Young
Mems Christian Association school.
According TO the men, there had
been trouble in the ranks OF the COM
pany'S employees ever since Holds
worth had. with the acquisition Of the
Yellow TaXicab Company by the
Mason-Sesman Company, become, a
power in its affairs.
Holdsworth, it was alleged. had a
peculiar fondness for discharging
men who had been in the company s
service for years.
The strikers also feared that he in
tended substituting the Yellow Taxi
cab system of paying chaufcurs only
Tor the time they arc actually on duty
driving, instead Of from the time they
report until the end Of their twelve
hour tour of duty. SO they struck
taking out some Of the mechanician5
with them.
The mechanicians after time were
sent back TO work, and committee
appointed TO confer with President
barnard and his directors.
While they were in session In
. spector Dryers men kept the strikers
moving about the garage in 57th st
/ The strikers were talking of calling
out the men in the Yellow Taxicat
garages when the committee emerged
and. calling them together, told Of the
settlement.
p Mr. Barnard had left the company
Offices before the men started back tc
work. To reporter for The Tribune
he said that nothing had been decided
upon in the matter Of filling the vacant
superintendency. but that it probably
would be decided to-day.
The matter is Open" he said
"Holdsworths resignation will be
acted upon to-day. We did not
promise to put Stephenson back. told
him the place was open. but he said
not to consider him. For the present
| am going to run things myself"