The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-26
ABOUT 500 MEN OUT
ON THIRD Az. LINES
Bronx and Westchester Troll.
leymen Discuss Wisdom of
Joining the Strike.

Sunday traffic on the lines of the Third
Avenue Railway Company affected by
the strike of motormen and conductors
moved without confusion yesterday and
with such slight curtailment in the num-
Der Of cars operated that the existence Of
the strike was scarcely perceptible to
passengers. Nevertheless, the strikers
estimating their own numbers at not
less than 500-had lost none Of their en-
thusiasm and asserted optimistically
that their ranks would be swelled notice.
ably to-day.
A meeting attended by between 500
and 700 employees Of the company was
held in the afternoon at Lyceum Hall.
Third avenue and Eighty-sixth street.
So far the strike has affected the COM
panys lines only in Manhattan, but at
least half of the men at the meeting
are employed by the company on Bronx
and Westminster subsidiaries of the
Third avenue system. II Is from among
these operatives that the strikers hope
to swell their ranks. but strike vote
for the Bronx and Westminster employ
ees was not taken yesterday.
Addressed by Union Officers.
The meeting was presided over by
Patrick J. O'Brien. second vice-president
Of the Amalgamated Association Of
Street and Electric Railway Employees
Union officers from Chicago, Boston.
Philadelphia and other cities also were
In the hall, along with Louis Fridiger
the associations counsel. Mr.. O'Brien
said the meeting was more Of a get
together" gathering than anything else
at which the men talked over the situa-
ton. He said reports showed that 500
employees Of the company had quit work
and that there was a strong probability
Of important developments to-day re-
garding the Bronx and Westchester OPP
eratives. However twenty-five employ
ees came from Westchester yesterday
and worked on the 125th street cross
town line.
Mr.. OBrien said the strikers agreed
to that. since the men had consented to
do the work so that the public would
be inconvenienced as little as possible
On other lines virtually the normal Sun
day schedule was maintained, and there
was little or no congestion anywhere
No trouble OF any kind was encountered
by the company. and the only signs of a
strike were about the company's barns.
where the usual police guard was main
tanned.
Huff Appeals to the Men. lee
S, w. Hun. president of the Third
avenue system, issued the following
statement to his men yesterday:
During the last few days some of you
have again been disturbed by the same
group Of outside agitators who two years
ago sought to force their organization
upon the employees OF this system and
SO disastrously forced many good men
out of their positions Their attempt at
reorganization in The Bronx two months
ago failed. These same men under the
cloak OF the war situation are again try
ing to force you into that same organi-
zation. controlled by them,
THE principles and policies announced
by the President of the United States.
the Department OF Labor and the Ma
tional War Labor Board fully protect
you in your right not to Join the organi-
zation of these outside agitators and
fully protect the company In it's right
not to recognize them and their organi-
zation.
These men. through this attempt to
force their organization upon you, are
attempting to reinstate In their former
positions the men who lost these posi-
tons in the strike OF two years ago
I'VE realize and fully appreciate the
loyalty which has prompted you to stand
by the company and we shall protect
you to the fullest extent against being
forced into an organization by these