New-York tribune., 1918-06-08
Only 300 Men Out, but
Spread of Strike to Man
haitian Is Threatened
Federal Conciliator
Named on Mems Plea
Telegram Charges Com.
pany Violated War La
Dor Boards Ruling

Although a general strike had been
declared by employees of the Union
Railway Company in The Bronx, trolley
service in that borough was maintained
adequately all day yesterday. While
only three hundred men failed to ap-
pear for duty, events yesterday indi-
Gated there is possibility of the strike
reaching greater proportions, and that
an attempt may be made to tie up all
the surface lines in Manhattan and The
Bronx
The breach between the men and the
company was precipitated when forty
men. it is alleged, were discharged sum-
marily for making attempts to organize
the employees in order to present de-
MINDS for increased pay. The decision
for a general strike was reached after
long session at Curtin's Hall, 166th
Street and Third Avenue. William P
Fitzgerald, general organizer of the
Amalgamated Association Of Street and
Electric Railway Employees. addressed
the men.
Appeal to Secretary Wilson
The following telegram, asking for
Federal Intervention, was sent to Sec
retary of Labor Wilson after con-
ference between Fitzgerald, Patrick
O'Brien, vice president of the American
Federation Of Labor; James Vahey
general counsel for the federation, and
Louis Frcdiger, counsel for the Motor
mems and Conductors Union:
In violation of the rules laid down
by the National War Labor Board
the Union Railway Company of The
Bronx, New York City, has dis
charged number of employees for
organizing to remedy the present de-
plorable conditions under which we
work, even before any grievances or
requests for increase of wages were
presented Will you at once send
here some one from your department
to investigate our case Suspension
of work in effect.
At a meeting of the strikers last
night Edward Morrissey read a tele-
gram which ne said he had received
from Assistant Secretary of Labor
Kerwin, and which was addressed to
the Committee of Forty. 1t said:
Telegram signed by your commit
tee received. We have appointed
Clifton Reeves as commissioner of
conciliaton in the controversy with
the Union Railways Company He
will communicate with you.
Louis Fredger, attorney for the
union men, said last night they would
abide by any decision reached by Mr.
Reeves. Another meeting of the strik-
ers will be held this morning at 10
o'clock
Secret organizations among the men,
it is said had been going on for sew
eral weeks. Ernest Bohm, correspond
ing secretary of the Central Federated
Union, said there is a possibility of a
general strike on the surface lines of
Manhattan.
Policemen on Cars
Pickets stationed at the West Farms
car barns were assaulted by q gang of
men armed with crowbars, according
to Fitzgerald. While there were no
other reports of violence yesterday,
police reserves under Inspectors
O'Connor and Collins were ordered
into The Bronx as soon as the strike
order became effective.
Early in the day it was thought un-
necessary to place police on the cars,
but when it was learned that two car
crews at l61st Street and Sedgwck
Avenue refused to proceed without po-
lice protection the bluecoats were or
dered on the cars. The police reserves
were also posted at all transfer points,
car barns and near grades to prevent
greasing of the tracks, as was done
by the strikers in 1916.
Edward A. Maher, jr. president of
the company, said yesterday that the
men had made no demands on the com
pany for increase of pay.
II don't know O. any strike' he
said "But l guessed something was
about to happen when learned union
officials were in town"
The company, it was believed bv
Fitzgerald, would take advantage of
the present walkout and attempt to
obtain permission to charge a six-cent
fare.
Yonkers Men Get Increase
While the main issue is the reinstate-
ment OF the forty men alleged to have
been discharged for attempting to form
an organization, the dissatisfied en-
ployes will present demands for an
increase in pay. Thomas Devne, dis
patcher at the 2lSth Street car barn,
said:
"The men are now getting up to "a
cents an hour, and some are earning
from $32 to S37 a week by working
overtime. The new scale calls for from
20 to 36 cents an hour"
AS soon as word reached Yonkers
that the Bronx motormen and CON
ductors were out on strike the Yonkers
Railroad announced that, beginning
July l, an increase of two cents an
hour will be given to the trolleymen in
that city. In addition, the men will re-
ceive a weekly bonus Of 81.
The strikers were exhorted by their
leaders to create no disturbance and to
spread the news of the strike among
their fellow workers in an ORDERLY
manner.
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