The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-22
ExPRESSMEN PUT
OFF THEIR STRIKE
Drivers Agree to Wait Three
Weeks on War Labor
Board.
THEY SEEK S25 RAISE
Many at Turbulent Meeting
Favor Tieup but Calmer
Counsel Prevails.

New York barely missed having an
expressmen's strike this week when the
expressmen's local of the International
Brotherhood Of Transfers met yester-
day in the Central Opera House on
Sixty-seventh street, of Third avenue,
TO hear the report Of its committee to
the conference OF the War Labor Board
in Washington and decide what should
be done. Action was deferred for three
weeks
The men are out for more money and
shorter hours. A driver at present gets
s125 month and helpers average $50.
They want s25 increase for drivers
and helpers, an eight hour day, with
time and half for overtime and double
time for holidays.
The meeting started at 2 o'clock
More than 1000 members of the organ
ization sat quietly and listened to the
lengthy report on the proceedings Of
their case as presented to the board in
Washington.
Martin Lacey arose when the reading
of the report was ended. Martin Lacey
is the secretary. He pounded with a
gavel on the table until the conversa-
ton and movement of the gathering
drove at the heart of the situation:
Should there or should there not be a
strike now?
Would Tie Up the Town.
Boys" said Lacey, I'm in favor Of
tying up everything and making 'em sit
up and take notice."
The crowd reared its approval.
Lacey banged on the table for quiet.
But" he continued, I'VE want to be
conservative"
Grumbling rumbled.
I'm not wrapping any American flag
about myself" went on Lacey. "I'll go
as far as any of you in a strike and get
pinched oftener. but II you strike now
Wait a minute. Orderl Sit down!-If
you strike now you'll ruin all the good
work which has been done by our COM
mittee before the board in Washington.
want to propose that any movement
for a strike be postponed for three
weeks; then II the hoard gives us no re-
suits you know what to dol"
Hundreds of threats yelled opposition.
Let's do it noww The cry was taken
up. what are we waiting for?'
Men jumped to their feet and
clamored for recognition.
Strike! Let's go"
1t was a long time before the secre-
tary piped down his brethren and made
himself heard:
"a motion is in order to postpo-''
"N-no-o-or
MuIdrew Swaps the Crowd.
William Fitzgerald. president of the
| local, and Martin Lacey combined to re-
| store order. A man moved that action
be deferred. II was seconded in a
hr,x Of taf
In the midst of the hubbub a man
| made himself heard in the rear of tho
| hail.
! He was greeted wildly and urged to
/ the platform. Every one knew Benja-
min Muldrew and his work in the last
strike, when he used to be pretty much
the whole machinery.
Brothers" began Muldrew hoarsely
this strike stuff right now is all wrong"
No comment. We've got our case up
| in Washington. They're attending TO
US. Let's give 'em chance. We Ought
| to hear from them In ten days"
| Then why wait three weeks?"
The crowd went off again like a string
of small firecrackers.
| A man got the floor and complained
that they hadn't had fair treatment from
the Federal Government. Lacey took
time out to prove to him that they had
citing the restoration of holidays.
Order was obtained. The motion that
action be postponed was made again
and seconded Unexpected silence fol-
lowed.
"All those in favor say"
| AYE - roared the assemblage.
| Those opposed-"
| A few scattered noes" answered.
THE motion Is carried" Martin
Lacey wiped his brow. mo strike vote
will be taken for three weeks, and then
II We havn't got what we want. We'll al