New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-06
Committee of Railroad
Brotherhood to Confer
with Leaders.
WORKERS IN TUBES
HAVE GRIEVANCES
General Railroad Walkout Is
Feared if Engineers Favor
Surface Strikers.

The Brotherhood OF Locomotive ch'
gineers. controlling the locomotive
drivers on every railroad in the United
States, and known as the most con-
scrvative Of labor organizations, yes
terday took a hand in the local trac-
ton strike. when. through a committee,
it arranged for a conference this after
noon between it's leaders and the men
in charge of the strike.
The significance Of the entrance OF
the locomotive engineers into the situa-
ton lies in the fact that their men
operste all the trains in the Pennsyl-
vania and Long Island tunnels, and
there is danger their striking will pre-
cipitate the general steam railroad
strike that President Wilson has been
straining every effort to prevent.
They come into the situation because
their men have many grievances
against the management Of the tubes IN
which they operate. and many OF the
older employees on the subway and IL
lines are members of the organization
Originally all Of the men on the u
were members of the brotherhood. but
since the elimination of steam these
have gradually been eliminated.
Subway Men Organize.
William D. Mshon, one Of the strike
leaders. said at the Hotel Continental
last night the strike was so well IN
hand he expected TO leave tonight for
Detroit after the conference with the
brotherhood committee.
al am not coming back until the lat
ter mart of the month" he said, when
| sail for Liverpool to represent the
Federation at the British Trades Con-
vention. The situation here is well IN
hand We have had no trace Of any
considerable number OF strikebreakers
in town. There are mons OF the PROBES
sionaIs The supply OF competent
streetcar men avaiaole lot striAe-
breaking purposes is very limited
"The question Of the firemen, engl-
neers, repair gangs and machlhisls
being pulled out will be taken up at
representatives OF these trades here.
They are organized and want to help.
Eve have organized the men on the
L and the subway, and their demands
have been agreed upon. This was done
at three secret meetings. The presence
of so many of these employees at these
meetings is proof that Mr.. Shonts's ell
fort to bride them 10 keep out OF the
unions by small raise failed. Shonts
showed then he was afraid, and ad-
mitted the men were not getting what
they should. They will refuse his half
loaf and demand real bread.
Complain Against Police
"The men at these meetings said they
had been required to sign statements
they were satisfied with existing condl-
tions. but that the statements were
false, and known 70 be so by the men
who asked they be signed
"Will the question Of conditions IN
Yonkers. New Rochelle and Mount YER
non be arbitrated, as asked by the
Third Avenue Company" Mr.. Mahon
was asked.
"The time for srbitrating part Of the
, Third Avenue systems trouble. long
since passed" he replied. Had they
agreed sooner TO keep their contract
and arbitrate, the chances are this sit
uation would not have arisen
Complaint was made to Deputy Po-
lice Commissioner Lord yesterday that
the police had used unnecessary force
and had exceeded Instructions in ar
resting Leo REESE, a picket, at l04th
Street and Madison Avenue. REESE
spoke to a conductor, and, according
to union witnesses, was set upon by
the two policemen on the car and
dubbed.
Peace was the plea made yesterday
by William B. Fitzgerald at q mass
meeting in Lyceum Hall, in Eighty
sixth Street, in discussing the correct
way OF approaching men at work.
( pull them OIL" yelled husky mo-
torman. -,
"No you won't replied Fitzgerald
"Follow orders. DO this thing right
and ! will guarantee that by 8 to-
night you will have 80 per cent OF
the men out with you. We've got this
thing won, boys, and now don't spoil
things. Play the game, but play II
right"
Officers OF the labor unions are ar
ranging a mass meeting for Tuesday
/ night in support of the strikers. Mad
( ison Square Garden may be used, OF
the meeting may be held in Union
Square. Samuel Gompers, president Of
the American Federation Of Labor. will
speak. 1t is also planned to parade
the strikers to the City Hall Tuesday
to let Mayor Mitchell see how correct
are the statements OF the railway
managers that their men are loyal
TUESDAY night, it is expected, the Sta
sionary Firemen's Union will vote on
the question Of striking.
To-day Fitzgerald, Mahon, Peter j.
Rooney, NJ. J. Higgins, Thomas Doher.
~, president Of the Boston union, and
a score Of organizers will address
meetings Of strikers in Manhattan, The
Bronx and Queens.