The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-10
EXPRESS STRIKERS
PRESENT DEMANDS
Vice-President CO&ie Promises
to Forward Them to Di-
rector Carter.

The dispute between expressmen Of
Greater New York, Long Island and
New Jersey and the express companies
operated by tho United States Railroad
Administration was taken UP yesterday
by w. S. Carter OF the Division of
Labor at Washington, who directs the
settlement of labor complications for
the railroads
Benjamin Muldrew. chairman Of the
strikers committee. Martin Lacy, bust
ness agent of the teamsters union, and
Alexander Poss. representing the chauf-
feurs and electric drivers, called on
Robert L. NJ. Cowie, vice president Of
the American Railway Express Com
pany yesterday. and formally presented
the mems demands, which they seek
to have made the basis of a new con-
tract for wage schedules and working
hours
Thine conference was cordial. and
Mr.. Cowie assured the men he would
Immediately. He advised them to 60
back to work pending the decision OF
Mr.. Carter.
II have no criticism Of the men ex-
cept Of the manner in which they went
out" said Mr. Cowle after the meet
ing. "They went out without first sub
hitting their demands to the Railway
Express Company.
Il am told that the men say there
are 10000 tons OF express matter tied
up in this city. That rs exaggeration.
A large quantity of express matter Is
being moved to-day. We have no We
hicles on the street. II Is true. and for
that reason there has been no trouble,
but much express matter Is being hauled
away from the stations by the con-
signees. AS soon as a package arrives
the consignee Is notified by telephone
or by postal card and II he can secure
wagon he sends for II and takes II
away. In many cases drivers OF wagons
have refused to do this work out Of
sympathy for the strikers. We are also
making a great number Of deliveries by
messenger"
A quantity Of perishable goods which
had accumulated in the New York sta
tons has been sent to Philadelphia
Albany and other cities TO be disposed Of.
said Mr.. Cowie.
While the express company officials
declared yesterday that their stations
we're not as badly handicapped as al
| legged by the strikers. Benjamin Null
drew, a strike official. said that 1000
| had been added to his ranks and before
| tomorrow night the number striking
would reach 10000. Besides this num-
Der there are 5000 who had to quit work
| because OF the strike. Mr.. Muldew said
1T is the intention OF the strikers to
| tie up the entire system in New York
anless our terms are promptly accepted.
|
hear from Washington without delay
and that our committee would meet the
Railroad Administration officials for a
conference.
II received information to-day that
| the express workers in Albany and Bur.
| falo are planning to strike for the same
conditions which we have demanded and
I can predict that II our terms are no,
soon met there will be 100000 express
| workers out in this State"
The strike leaders met A. NJ Banks
! Of the Division OF Labor yesterday after
noon. He Is attempting to mediate the
dispute and asked the men to go back to
work until word comes from Washing
ton on their demands.
! at seems to me-" he said, that the
| men have injured their cause at the very
| beginning by quitting work and leaving
lot of much needed foodstuffs to rot
on platforms before they even submitted
| their demands to the Government. Not
withstanding this. ! am here to bring
about peace and expect to do all in my
| power to achieve that result"