The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-17
EXPRESS STRIKERS
DEFY GOVERNMENT
Reject Pleas Of Director-Gen-
eral Hines and Gov. Smith
to Return to Work.
FEDERAL AGENT HECKLED
Union Organizes Workers on
New York Central and May
g Spread Trouble.

me striking drivers or the American
Railway Express Company yesterday af-
ternoon openly defed the United States
q government. as personified by Walker
: ID. Hines, Director-General of Railroads.
At meeting at Cooper Union $500
members of the International Brother
hood Of Transfers and Chauffeurs by
almost 9 unanimous vote rejected Mr..
1iines's suggestion that they return to
work pending a report and decision on
their demands by the Board of Railroad
Wages and Working Conditions on or
before November 4.
The action of the strikers was taken
despite Mr. Illness declaration that the
Railroad Administration would refuse to
consider their claims or to have any
dealings with them until after they had
gone back to their Jobs. A plea that they
resume work. pending settlement of the
controversy, which was sent from AL
bany by Gov Smith. likewise was ig-
ncred-
Express deliveries at the Grand Cen
trail Terminal and Pennsylvania Station.
a. well as at all other points in the city.
are completely tied up. Eight thousand
drivers are said to be out. Brooklyn and
neighboring points in New Jersey, in
GLIDING Newark. also are affected. The
union leaders asserted last night that the
express clerks in Long Island City had
Joined the strikers and that more than so
per cent of them had gone out in Man.
haitian, Brooklyn and Jersey City.
Outside Drivers Organized.
Although no announcement of union
plans has been made, it is believed that
determined effort will now be made to
Aetx. 49,. 81 III -
express drivers, platform men and other
employees. Charles Jennings an or
ganizer of the American Federation of
Labor, said that the express workers be-
tween. New York city and Buffalo had
been organized and that the federation
would stand behind the men in whatever
action they decided to take. 1t was APP
parent. however, that the union leaedrs
were disappointed at the result of the
meeting and that they feared defiance Of
the Government would ALLEVIATE public
sympathy.
John A Moffitt of the division of labor
Of the Railroad Administration came
over from Washington yesterday in an
endeavor to induce the workers to re-
turn and he was the principal speaker
ct the meeting. At its close he said he
believed that the action taken by the
meh would result in stiffening the atti-
rude of Director-General Hines.
Although Martin 7. Lacey, secretary
and treasurer of local 645, who pre-
sided at the meeting, did his utmost to
keep order. he could not prevent a
pandemonium of booes and Kisses while
Mr.. Moffitt was speaking and at the
mention of Mr.. Hines, In the end. he
apologized to the Government represen-
tative for what he termed the "slurs''
that had come from the younger and
more irresponsible element.
with tha ding
CT the telegram sent to the union leaders
by the Director-General, in which lie re-
viewed the situation which exists here
the strike of last May and the promise
OF the Railroad Administration to con-
s,der the demands He explained that
q countrywide investigation was neoes-
sary to determine the facts, as applied
to all railway express workers. and
promised that the report would be in
and a decision made by November 4.
Instant Decision Impossible.
It was pointed out by Hr. Hines that
II was impossible to decide all cases
which came before the wage board in
stantly, or to give preference to one class
OF workers when other previous claims
already were awaiting action. The pres
emit strike he reminded the men, had
been called without any notice having
been given either the Railroad Admins
stration or the wage board.
Mr.. Hines declared that I was out OF
the question for the Government to be
coerced by a strike or to give prefer
ence in deciding cases to men who were
on strike over employees who were not
Ia conclusion Mr.. Hines said:
1.-THE Government is not willing to ne
gctiats with its employees who are OIL
strike and, until they return. no deci'
sion will be rendered"
After reading Mr.. Hiness telegram
Mr.. Moffitt expressed the belief that
public sentiment would not uphold the
strikers in a refusal to go back, anc
then for nearly two hours he was heck
led by the big audience. who jeeret
and Kissed his answers Only once die
he show the slightest sign of irritation
when he ciinched his fists and said:
81 was active in the labor movement
thirty-fpe years before some of yol
men who are insulting a Government
agent were born. / have handled strikes
and I know what they are and / know
that no decision will be given while y2'
are out"
were going to stay out too" som,
one called
THAT'S all right I'm not going t.
argue it with you. because it's your owl
affair. You can expect better thing
from the Government and before tn
people of the United States. If you re
turn TO work II you remain out it will
10 before the people that you are 4
open defiance of the Government an
piace you In an untenable position"
Ferry Settlement Cited.
How about the ferry striker" aske
a heckler "They got their increas
pretty quick. didn't they?"
Mr.. Mofitt denied that any increas
m wages had been given to the marin
workers, but said that the settlement re
suited from an adjustment OF inequa
fties, such as he hoped would result 70
the expressmen-
A telegram was read from A. {
wharton, head of the wage adJustmen
board. reiterating Mr.. Illness declare
tion that no consideration could be give
the strikers until after they had re
turned to work. Then one sent by Co
Smith was communicated to the turbu
liant audience 1t concluded:
.sNothing Is TO be gained by resol
a forca The public. of which you YOU