New-York tribune., 1919-04-17
Judge Mayer Holds That
Committee to Present
Grievances Must Repre-
sent All the Employees
Suggests Open Election
Men Who Are Members of
the Union Will Be Fully
Protected. He Assures

Judge Julius M. Mayer, Of the Unit
ed States District Court, yesterday
heard the grievances of union en-
ployes Of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
system and at the conclusion of q
protracted hearing:
!. Upheld Receiver Lindey NJ.
Garrison in refusing to meet COM
mittee selected by members Of the
Amlagmated Association of Street
and Electric Railway Employees.
2. Declared that any committee
processing to represent B. R. T. en-
ployes must be selected by all Of
the employees, or at least in an
election in which all employees have
an opportunity to vote. If the men
among themselves work out some
system whereby this can be ac-
complished, Mr.. Garrison and the
court will. receive such q committee
and discuss with it all matters Of
general policy affecting wages and
working conditions. If they cannot
work out such a scheme, the court
suggests that they hold a general
election, such as the state election
in November to be supervised by a
committee of citizens of high stand
ing which it will name.
Personal Grievances to Be Heard
CD On all individual matters, af-
fecting individuals who may have
reason to think they are aggricved,
Receiver Garrison and the court are
always open to appeals for adjust
mcnt.
(4) In the matter of Joining the
Amalgamated or any other union,
the court declared all men and wom-
en- would be protected. They also
will be protected in soliciting others
to join. The members of the COM
mittee which waited on the court
yesterday were specifically guaran-
teed its protection against dismissal
for their part.
The leaders of the men had no COM
ment to make on Judge Mayors rul-
lngs. James H. Vahey, their counsel,
SAID fairness to the men demanded
that the first report be made to them
at their meeting tonight.
Unoiticially members Of the COM
mittee expressed doubts as to their
ability to prevent a strike vote to-
night. The men, they said, would
hardly he in a mood to agree to fur
ther delay.
Veteran labor leaders and court Of
hcials could not recall another instance
where judge of United States
court sat to consider at first hand
with representatives of labor griev-
ances on property in the custody Of
the court. The conference was held in
the little private hearing room Of the
District Court in the Woolworth Build
ing, at 5 o'clock. Previously judge
Mayer met the individual members Of
the committee in his chambers. Thev
were headed by James Sheridan. chair
man or the executive committee Of
Local S67 of the malgamated, and ac-
companied by James II. Vahey' of Dos-
ton, general counsel for the Amalpa-
mated association, and Louis Fridirer
ana Charies Il. Bruckner, local counsel.
one woman, Miss Mary Jane Ard.
represented the conductorettcs. tickat
sellers and ticket choppers Of the sys-
ten. ~ D
Mr.. Vahey, in opening the case, ex-
plalEed to the court that at TuesJav's
meeting strike was prevented by the
e,HpIa1atlon =, to the employees present
that Judge Mayer had declared II to
be his idea that the courts are 81,
ways open to American citizens" He
called as the first of a long list IF
witnesses, Peter Gallagher. who IN
troduccd himself with the declarat;on
I'm an old railroader, your honor
I'VE put IN twenty-five years on the
tail end Of cars"
Gallagher told how after MANY veors,
service he was disabled in an accident
ana iorced TO take employment as a
ticket seller at % Il cents an hour. He
worked ten hours a day, he said in a
station where there was neither water
nor toilet accommodations. At work
ne went eight hours without food. He
declared veteran employees should re-
celve more than newcomers and thar
women employees were Disseminated
against because they could not wear
their cap badges at all times and were
compelled to pay fare on surface cars
ne joined the union, he said, only
a1ter receiver Garrison in circular
on March IL declared employees of the
company were free to join any or
ganization they might choose. Thia
declaration was made by all of the
witnesses in one form or another. Ali
likewise complained that after thew
nad joined the union Mr.. Garrison re-
1used to receive their committees.
Matthew Leonard, structural iron
worker, said men on this work received
from 30 to 81 cents an hour for worL
for which outside concerns paid S7M
cents an hour. The men, he said. want
a 95 per cent increase in wages md
the eiight-hour day. This he said was
the demand of all of tho mechanical
employees. These employees, he told tho
court, represented about "every trade
in the city" ''"ue
Leonard also stated that after Tues