New-York tribune., 1918-08-16
3. r. I. Officials
Deny All Charges
OF Union Workers
War Labor Board Told Men
Were Not Discharged
for Organizing
By BRIGGS

With j. J. Dempsey, president OF
the New York Consolidated Railroad
branch Of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
Company, and Thomas f. Blewitt. it's
divisional superintendent, categorically
denying all the charges dismissed en-
pioyees have been bringing against the
road, the National War Labor Boards
examination into the controversy that
has been raging between this company
and the Brotherhood Of Locomotive En-
glneers came to an end in the Federal
Building here yesterday.
The testimony that has been gath
cred in the case is now on it's way to
"ashlngton, and an official decision.
settling whether or not B. r T em-
ployees are to come under direct juris-
dlction of the brotherhood, will be an
nounced as soon as the board as a
whole has been able to examine the
present minutes in detail.
1he concluding session of the hear
ing before Examiners John A. Hender
son and c. B. Ogburn yesterday was
decidedly the liveliest of the three that
have been held Charges and counts,
charges flew thick and fast, and. protest
ing little murmurs again and again ran
through the ranks of former B. R
motormen, who made up most of tho
audience present. VIC
Objects to "Outside Union
IN entering the defence of the COM
pany against the mems comn]a;nt
Vice President Dempsey read into the :,
record lengthy and carefully nre-
pared statement wherein the B. r. r g
"hoie attitude toward unions was set
lorlh' 10 local, individual union. in
oagsnous TO the company, Mr.. Dempsey
saiu s,li mere was no objection. But anv.
as ne holds the Brotherhood of Ionn
motive Engineers to be, Mr.. Demnsev
uhnes,l.tatlng!y admitted was regarded
as dlsruDtive intrusion. Nou
hesitated to tell its employees Of eyYs ;Ys
CONVICTIONS in this matter. nor TO Ms 10
suade them that their interests do not
II ne along the outside union road A.
.ne same time he denied again and
ssSalh the mems contention that en-
ployes had been discharged simply be-
o@uTe ..r9. they mad joined the brotherhood.
there has been no discrimination
against them" he affirmed. "But'v b, be
continued, 'if they or Others uI, sborId nd
prove disloyal to the company. threat
en- the continuity of its train service
or violate its rules they would hayo
to seek employment elsewhere
IN every case of dismissed brother
mood man which has been cited bv the
complainants previously in the hear.
ing other considerations" Mr.. Dcmp-
sey said, had prompted the dismissal ai'
Denies Spying Accusation
The B. r. T. vicc-president l;lon,
denied the brotherhood's claim that he
had offered reward for inforn,a at ne
as to the relation of any company em.
p.oye with the outside oroaniynty;o iy o'''-
II have nothing to do with and novo,.
have had anything to do with tho 10. 'ei 60
cret service organization" was the wav
he put it. way
Mr.. Blewitt. the division superjn-
tendent who was accused Of hav;nn
told many OF the men that any Of tben
"hs joined the brotherhood were ]ik..
~ to get into trouble, denied ever hav-
ing made such q statement
In concluding the case for The broth
erhood. L. G. Griffing, assistant grand
chief. produced suspended motorman
y. n; Steininger, who testified that he
had been instructed by company Off
cials to make out sworn statement To
tne erect that he never had anv de-
sire to strike and that his name had
been placed on the strike committed
"'thout his knowledge. Several othe,
men with previously good records told
now. alter they became connected with
inc brotherhood. demerit marks we're
! piled up against them.