The sun., 1919-04-18
SMITHS WIRE
AGAIN DELAYS
B. R. T. STRIKE
Governor Asks Men to Talk
1t Over With Him and
They Will Do So.
RELY ON COURT PROMISE
Garrison to Take Up Cases Of
Discharged Employees at
Conference To-day.

b. r. T. union members in a. mass
meeting at Arcadia Hall last night voted
unanimously to postpone the threatened
walkout at least until pending confer
ences have been held. They had a mes
sage from Gov. Smith before them re-
questing that the strike be delayed I'M
I'll an opportunity could be had for him
to talk It over" with the strike leaders.
The meeting was not so largely at
tended as former gatherings Of the b.
II It's disconnected. but what there was
lacking in number was more than made
up In righteousness For few min
utes after the executive committee had
made its report favoring another delay
In calling the strike there was uproar.
4 score OF members sprang 10 their
feet demanding the floor Above the
din William Collins organizer for the
American Federation Of Labor could be
heard demanding that the question on
the strike vote be put.
Arthur Becker, a former conductor on
the Bergen street line who was dis
charged several days ago, worked his
way toward the front and was the OBJ
1ect of hooting and catcaIls. p. ].
o'Brien interceded and after some more
confusion the floor was given to him.
Judge Mayer said they would not
discharge u.s." he cried. But they have
discharged us. Maybe they will not dis
charge the members OF the executive
committee. but they will US"
The rest of his utterances were lost.
The meeting was evidently against him.
The speeches OF Mr.. O'Brien, James H.
Valley. counsel for the Amalgamated
Association Of Street and Electric Rail-
way Employees; Mr.. Collins and others
had been temperate in character and
contained a repetition Of the slogan
that the men had nothing to fear" bo-
cause they belonged to the union. The
strength for this statement was drawn
from the conference held Wednesday
with Judge Mayer of the Federal Court.
Message From the Governor.
Gov. Smith. II was announced, will
meet to-day with the union COMMITTEES
represented by W. J. Malone and Frank
Morrison. secretary of the Federation OF
Labor. His message, which was read
before the executive committee reported,
was brief:
81 earnestly hope you can delay &C.
lien in the Brooklyn strike matter until
We have had an opportunity to talk II
over. Communicate with me-"
Inspector Formosa Of the Fifteenth
District was on hand when the crowd
began gathering with a force of twenty
uniformed policemen. A report had
reached headquarters that the rank and
file had split away from the guidance
of the union leaders and were prepared
10 start rumpus. but such did moi
prove to be the case. Although the
shouting during the debate ran high a,
times, It did not reach the fistic poin;
and none of the coppers was called or
for special duty in conducting unionists
10 the exits.
Judge Mayors pledge~that no member
Of the union would be discriminate
against and that the cases of the mer
discharged would be taken up indivi
dually acted as a palliative to the SORE
feelings of the unionists. The delay,
Of the last week had frayed the edge
from their good nature. but the exc
cutive committee put forward its point
90 convincingly that after Backer hat
made his attempt at revolt the pot sim
mered down.
Mr.. Valley said that Judge Maye,
had promised there would be no restric
lions Of the rights of any one to joir
the union, and that this statement
made first on Wednesday. had been con
frmed at conference with the Judg,
yesterday afternoon.
Members to No Protected.
Every member of the Amaigamatet
Association is safe in his job" he said
He has the right In a proper way I,