New-York tribune., 1919-08-16
Men in Three Plants Agree
10 Join the Filters and
Helpers and an Early Sus-
pension Is Threatened
Refuse 25 p. C.. Increase
Strike at Kayser Glove
Plant Enters Thirteenth
Week; Both Sides Firm

The striking filters, helpers, jobbers
drivers and chauffeurs Of the Brooklyn
Union Gas Company moved a step for
ward yesterday toward carrying out
their threat to make Brooklyn lightless
by obtaining the consent Of some of
the gas makers employed by the COM
pany to join them in their strike.
According to Frank Killorin, leader
of the strike, the gas makers in three
of the company's plants have said they
would join the walkout if those of the
other three plants did likewise. The
latter, Killorin says, are expected to do
so some time to-day, and it is probable
that thousands of Brooklyn homes and
hundreds Of industrial plants will be
deprived of light and power within the
next forty-eight hours.
Will Strike as Last Resort
The plants in which the gas makers
have agreed to strike are those at Kent
Avenue and Clymer Street, Fourth and
Hoyt Streets and Coney Island One
the three plants.
Mr.. Killorin made the following
statement last night:
Although the men Of the gas works
are desrious of joining US in our
strike the committee is doing all in
its power to hold them off for a few
days until all methods and means Of
effectlng settlement between the
Brooklyn Union Gas Company and it's
workers have failed. We realize what
such a drastic measure would mean
n Ha of
resort to it only as the last weapon"
Joseph Kane, a member of the strike
committee, said that should the gas
makers finally be called out the situa-
ton, as far as the heating and lighting
of Brooklyn homes and plants is con-
cerned, would depend upon the amount
of spare gas the company has on HAND
in It's various plants.
once the gas makers quit no more
can be made" he said. Kane said that
all the gas makers may be called out
tomorrow unles the company gives in
dlcatlons of desiring to meet the strik-
ers' demands.
Won't Accept % Per Cent
"Our men will not accept the 25
per cent increase offered them bv the
Company Kane continued. "The COM
pany can afford to pay extra dividends
and yet can't afford to pay the men
higher wages"
Kane said the number of strikers
now totals 200, and that this would
be increased to 1000 by tonight.
AT the offices of the company, 176
Remsen Street, it was said the com
pany was not aware of any increase in
the number of strikers
Among those who Joined the strike
yesterday were siXty-seven men at the
Williamsburg branch. The emergency
men and emergency chauffeurs will
present their demands to-day, accord
ing to strike leaders, and in case these
are refused will walk out. Clerks of
the company will also meet to-day and
discuss the presentation Of demands.
Strike Lasts Thirteen Weeks
The strike at the plant of julius
Kayser & Co, weavers and glove
manufacturers, entered its thirteenth
week yesterday. The Sidney and Ans
ierdam plants of the company are also
affected by the strike The total num-
Der of strikers, according to leaders of
the United Textile Workers of Amer
lea, in charge of the strike. is 5000.
although w. II. Calhoun, general super
1ntendent of the three plants. placed
the number at 1000 yesterday. He
SAID the plants are operating at rs per
An effort was made a short time ago
to settle the dispute by the Commits
sion ON Industrial Problems, according
TO Arthur Smedley, chairman of the
strike committee, but it failed because
OF the refusal of the company to arbi-
trate the demand for a closed shop and
other demands of the employees Mr..
Nalhoun SAID yesterday the demand for
closed shop could not be arbitrated.
In reply to this Mr.. Smedley said
the closed shop was in effect at all
the three plants in the weaving, warp
ing and cutting departments prior to
'he advent of Mr.. Calhoun several
months ago, and that with his COM
pany to break up the employees organi-
cation"
According to Mr.. Calhoun, the strik
ers agreed to return several weeks
ago and after doing so walked out
again because the company refused to
discharge n0n-union employe at it's
Sidney plant. Mr.. Smcdley, however
CLAIMED that after accepting certain
conditions laid down by the employees
the company failed to stand by the
agreement. He admitted that the union
employees refused to work with the
non-union girl.
Machinists Face Injunction
Officials of Micrometer Lodpe No 6O
International Association of Machinists
the members of which have been on
strike for ten weeks at the plant Of
the American Foundry and Machine
Company, $500 Second Avenue, Brook
lyn, Will appear in the Brooklyn Coun-
ty Courthouse on Wednesday to show
cause why the temporary Injunction
obtained by the company against the
officials and members of the lodge. re-
stralnlng them from picketing the
plant, should not be made permanent.
The injunction was granted by Su-
preme Court Justice I. NJ Kapper and
restrains Edward O. Dixon, treasurer
OF District 10 of the International AS
ssoclatlon of Machinists; Emil J. Deer
ing, business agent of the district; Jo-
seph II. We'll, president of Micrometer
Lodge No. so; Parson Metzkow. pres
ldent of the district, and TWENTY-FIVE
other members of the union from pick
etlng the factory and from in any
manner approaching it's strike break-
crs.
The total number of employees on
strike at the plant is about LOO. The
men are demanding a reduction in
hours and an increase in wages.