New-York tribune., 1919-04-15
Action Is Taken Pending
Proposed Interview With
Garrison Suggested in
Letter of Mayor Hylan
Hope for Peace Voiced
"Civc Us Action'' Plea Of
Minority Is Ovcrrulcd;
SignaIrncn Joir in Move

The strike Of employees of the BROOK
lyn Rapid Transit Company. generally
expected to be called this morning,
again was postponed last night, follow
ing a meeting at Arcadia Hall, Brook
lyn, at which more than $500 were
present Another meeting is to be held
tonight at Arcadia Hall and the situa-
ton, labor leaders declared, rested en-
tirely in the hands of Lindlcy M. Garri-
son, receiver Of the company.
Last nights meeting was definitely
set for calling the strike. 1t was pre-
ceded by a meeting of the executive
committee of Local S76, of the Amalga
trio Railway Employees, which is the
b. r. T. local. The committee went into
executive session at p. m and it was
not until shortly after 10 o'clock that
Patrick J. O'Brien, second vice-prcs-
dent of the association, called the gen
eral meeting to order.
Hylan Letter Read
AS soon as the meeting was in ses-
sion William Reilly, member Of the
committee of the employees that called
on Mayor Hylan, mounted the platform
and handed Mr. O'Brien letter from
the Mayor. In it was letter from
Receiver Garrison. addressed to the
Mayor, in which he said he has never
been asked to meet delegation of en-
ployes of tue road The letter of Mr..
Garrison added that he was willing and
ready at any time to meet with repre-
sentatives OF the employees.
Mayor Urges Conference
The Mayors letter, sent to the COM
mittee which called upon him, follows: ::
Gentlemen: am inclosing here
with letter received from Lindley NJ.
Garrison, receiver Of the B. r. T., in
April 8, requesting Mr. Garrison as
Federal representative, operating the
Brooklyn Rapid Transit lines, to meet
with you, as q committee representing
the employees of that system.
"You will, no doubt, note that in Mr.
Garrison's letter he states you never
requested conference with him, also
that he never refused to see you.
From Mr.. Garrison's letter it would
employees of the system and therefore
would suggest that you select a COM
mittee of employees to see Mr.. Garrison
and | am quite sure that 1t will be
agreeable to him to discuss the work
ing conditions of the employees of that
system. Very truly yours.
JOHN F. HYLAN, Mayor
Letter Credited for Delay
At the conclusion of the meeting
/ Chairman O'Brien said "You can tell
the public that Mayor Hylan's letter is
the only thing that stopped this system
from being tied up tonight Every
person at this meeting wanted to go on
strike, and the committee and myself
had a h of d time holding them back.
II have just been informed that the
signalmen voted 100 per cent to strike,
if necessary. If strike is called the
amalgamated and the sgnalmen will
unite, and no settlement viii be agreed
upon unless satisfactory to both"
When Vice President O'Brien asked
the meeting what they desired to do
in the matter there were many cries
Of GIVE US action" but it was finally
decided to appoint the original COM
mittee Of sixteen to meet Receiver
Garrison this morning.
The committee was instructed to pre-
sent the demands of the employees and
report at the mass meeting to be held
tonight at Arcadia Hall exactly the
attitude of Mr.. Garrison
Signalmen To Present Claims
While the Arcadia Hall meeting was
in session, the Brotherhood Of Railway
Signalmen met and appointed a com
mittee to wait on Mr.. Garrison this
morning and present their claims for
recognition The brotherhood arranged
t0r ho a TO- do,, of
which their committee will report.