New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-01
Leaders Now Planning to
Organize Al! Lines in
Metropolitan District.
TO INCLUDE HUDSON
TUBES AND JERSEY
Walk. out on New York Railways
System Held Off Until All
Men Are Enrolled.

employes of every public utility in the
metropolitan district, including the
Hudson tunnels and the Jersey lines, oy
n sort of endless chain system, using
! the men on strike on one system TO
organize the next one selected, until
every railway in the district is at least
seventy-ive per cent union.
The question of striking is secondary
and will not be discussed by Fitzgerald.
| His attitude is that after the various
systems are organized the question OF
strike on each system will depend
on the way the men are treated by the
company officials.
To the end that the organization in
clude as nearly 100 per cent Of the en-
ployes as possible. every effort was be-
ing made yesterday by Fitzgerald and
his aids to prevent sporadic strikes
here and there that might prove abor-
tive. This Shs particularly the case
with the New York Railways system
the green cars, so called. The men on
these lines were to have struck last
night. according to reports current IN
labor circles, and in some quarters
Fitzgerald was given as authority for
these reports, but he specifically denied
having made the statements credited TO
him.
Organizing Green Car Men.
He did declare that the green car en-
ployes are being organized, a TACT
patent TO the most casual observer at
the strikers headquarters, Third Ave
nue. and Eighty-sixth Street. There
several hundred men called during the
afternoon and evening, paid their dol
lars and were obligated by hichaei ).
| Higgins, a union organizer.
others were being obligated in secret
meeting places, some on street corners
and their names and initiation fees
turned into the central fund.
These men were very largely recruit
ed by the 2,400 strikers on the Ihird
Avenue system, who were detailed IN
blocks of six, each under a captain TO
canvass the various lines of the New
York Railways system. There are TWO
advantages in this new system OF Or
| gSnizing: Men thus enrolled are more
| iikelv 10 stand by the union than men
enrolled en- masse under the excite
ment and pressure OF mass meetings,
AVID il serves to keep the strikers busy
and out of possible mischief. 3,
Al midnight Sunday the union claimed
20 have enrolled 1900 Of the employees
~ the Third Avenue. By noon yester-
dav substantially 100 per cent OF the
men were in line, according to the
mnion renorts and evidenced by the Few
cars the company kept in operation
Ready to Meet Officials.
Wbon this had been accomplished
uitzgerald reiterated the Willingness Oh
nc union to meet officials OF the com
many and try 70 reach a working agree
"Our position," said he, "is the same
az il was on Saturday. We are reaay
and willing to meet the ofticials OF the
company and if possible reach a setoie-
ment. II the company IS Wiling 70
recognize the organization ana tfea'
with our committee We are wlilihg 10
submit the other questions 10 tnree
arbitrators, the men TO choose one, the
company another and the two thlrd'
or we will accept any otner arDitrsIion
scheme that can be worked out tnat VIII
assure US justice and fair play.
Fitzgerald followed this declaration
by an appeal 10 the men OF the lhlrd
I and refrain
from disorder. IL read:
"Yonr organization now is practi-
callv completed and the work Of secur-
ing YOUR lust and equitable demands
depends on you and your actions.
would appeal to all Of you to unite and
stand firm.
"In whatever you do be unit At
/ tend your meetings and there act upon
every proposition that comes before
Won in an intelligent and sensible man
rer. Let your conduct be such that
il will continue 70 hold for you the
public sentiment you have established
behind you.
"Stay away from the saloons and
let there be no drinking or carousinS
Of any kind while this strike continues.
Keep out of trouble in the streets and
in every way conduct yourselves as
gentlemen. II you will do this feel
that it will be but a short time until
you can reach an honorable and salts
factory settlement of your cOnten-
/ tons"
Talks TO 1000 Strikers.
After issuing this statement, Fitz-
gerald went to the Lyceum, Eighty
sixth Street and Third Avenue, in
and about which 1000 strikers were
| crowded.
THE green cars are going to be