New-York tribune., 1919-09-19
100000 Men and Wom.
EN-, Including Firemen
and Policemen, Are
( Represented at Meeting
Threat of Strike
Made by Delegates
Central Council Proposed
for Is Organizations;
Administration Scored

!
organizations, including policemen and
tirencn, said to represent more than
100000 men and women. met last night
at Beekman Street and discussed af-
tiliation with the American Federation
| Of Labor.
The delegates were told they should
have 65 per cent increase over their
present wages to meet the increased
cost of living. 1t was also said that
while the city employees didnot wish to
strike, they were getting restless and
strikes would result unless wages were
raised.
1t was proposed that all the organ
lzed groups Of city employees form a
central council, affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor, and
that steps be taken to organize those
employees that have as yet no BODY to
represent them.
The council referred to, it was said.
would be permanent organization to
"atch over the economic interests of
! an city employees, independent of what
changes might occur in the administra
Strike Threats Made
Burt L. Schneider, president of the
Union of Technical Men, which is now
demanding $500 a year more for each
OF Its members from the city, presided
at last nights conference. 1t was he
who told the delegates that while the
cost of living had increased s. per
cent, their own wages had remained
stationary.
Some of the delegates admitted in
open meeting that despite the present
lity to strikes and the reluctance
OF city employees to start any, waulk
outs would cnsuc if something were
not done ct once toimprove the con-
dition of the city empioye
Mr.. Schneider charged that the pres
ent administration had shown con-
slstent hostility toward readjust-
ment OF salaries for city employees. He
said that most employees salaries had
remained stationary since 1915. and
that others had advanced less than 20
per cent in that period. In the same
time, he said. union labor had increased
its pay 100 per cent in many cases.
These increases, Mr.. Schneider point
ed out, had been brought about mainly
through strikes or the threat to strike
Statement Given Out
A statement issued at the close Of
the conference, from w ich newspaper
men were barred, parnorting to give
an account of the proceedings, sad
Attention was drawn to the act
that for some unknown reason the
present New York City officials ap-
peared to be reluctant in takInr the
initiative in readjusting the salaries
Of the city workers to present living
costs, as had been done to larre
extent in private concerns and in many
other cities. In view of the TACT that
living costs have increased almost 90
per cent since 1915, and the salaries
Of some groups of city worker have
remained practically stationary and
others advanced less than 20 per cent
in that period, it required no further
argument to justify the claims Of these
city employees for substantial increases
at this time.
"lt was pointed out. however, in this
period other uniori1cd workers. salar-
ies have advanced 100 per cent and the
factory workers in New York State 80
per cent. This was accomp ished large
y by the strike weapon where logical
argument, based on economic facts,
failed TO convince selfish EMPLOYERS.
ut is expected that these city en-
p oes viii, IN addition Is the strong
support Of the Americ.n Federation Of
Labor, obtain also the strong support
Of labor, business, and civic interests
who desire to see The city service kept
n plane whore it Will offer decent
career. to worthy nan and wonlcn.
| rather than be the instrument OF po.it-
cal patronage
Among the organizations represented
at the conference were:
Uniformed I}semen'a Union, Police
Ecnevoieuc association Teachers
Unicn. Union of Technical Non. County
and City Public Service Clerks, S4cnoE.
raphcrs ard Hookkoepsrs' Urian. Wa
ter Meter inspectors Union. Health In
spectors Union. Tenement House In
spcctors' Union, Bai.AiAg Inspectors
Union. Street Cleaners Union. Team
sters' Union and Keepers and AIatrons