New-York tribune., 1919-08-12
Writes District Attorney
Union and Railways
Plan to Achieve Ends
by Strike in Manhattan
Bases Charge
On Letters
Tie.Up Improbable, Says
Labor Chief; $500 in
B.R. T. Union August 8

Mayor Hylan yesterday informed the
District Attorney that the lnterborough
and the New York Railways officials
had entered into "a criminal con-
splracy" with employees of their organ
nation for the purpose of obtaining
increased fares through a strike.
A. about the same time, Patrick j.
Shea. vice president of the Association
q Street and Electric Railway En-
uloyes. announced that there was no
probability Of traction strike on the
lines of these companies. The men
are to be organized quietly, he said,
md there will be no disturbance what
syer unless the companies discharge
sen for joining the union.
Public Service Commissioner Lewis
;xon received yesterday from the B..
T. union a list of 1900 names of
en- and women who were members on
agust s. This was III accordance with
ae agreemen, that the union was re-
.red to show a membership of more
an 50 per cent before it would be
eeOglzed bv the company.
Charges Based on Letters
The Mayor wrote to District Attor-
iey Swami that it was cas- though some
enc in authority has said to the men,
You 90 ahead and strike and make
plenty Of trouble and the city will have
to give US increased fares, which we
IAN divide up"
The Mayor based his charges on
four letters which he had received
from job f., Hedges, receiver for the
New York Railways Company. from the
lnierborongh, and from T. NJ. FaZak-
erley, president of the Brotherhood OF
New York Railways Company En-
poyes. The letters referred to pos
sible strikes in Manhattan and called
upon the Mayor for police protection
Taken together, they seem to have
4 single inspiration and common
purpose amounting to criminal con-
splracy to compel the city authorities
by threats OF one kind and another
10 give the railway companies extra
fare" said the Mayor.
Violation by Mr.. Hedges of the penal
law was also charged by the Mayor
Ne asserted that Mr. Hedges made a
distinct threat against him by threat
ening 20 ask the Governor for the re-
moval OF any public official who failed
10 perform his constitutional duty in
the event of strike.
Mayor Asks Jury Inquiry
After the charges were presented Mr.
l., e.
ence, at which, according to Mr.. Swami
the Mayor asked that the subject be
brought before the grand jury
u haven't studied the subject vet
out Will go into it thoroughly ton ght
and may decide upon course of action
tomorrow" said Mr.. Swami last night
The Mayors letter to Nh Swami fol-
lows:
Herewith I hand you a series OF
letters as follows:
4. No. l, from Job +. Hedges, receiver
new York Railways Company, dated
august s, 1919.
NO. 2, from T. M. Fazakerley. presi-
pent S OF the Brotherhood of New York
nIal!ways Company Employees, dated
No. 3, from Interborough Rapid
transit ,dsn Company, dated August 8
y NO 4, from Job f. Hedges, receiver
sew York Railways Company, dated
august Q, 1919.
iaken together, they seem to have
'hgie inspiration and common pur-
Fuse amounting to criminal conspiracy
~ compel the city authorities, BY
Gfeats of one kind and another, te
s'r .r, 'he railway companies extra fare
9. mere Is no strike at the present
ue, uuue, and there has not been any ir
manhattan.
Doubts Sincerity of Requests
49,, mere is strong intimation that {
strike might be profitable for the EN-.
s.Vses s as we'll as for the railway com
panies. The supplication of the re
ss"er OF the New York Railways Com
pGahy, the Interboroueh Rapid Transit
hvnpany, and of the president of the
s~.so',herhood Of the New York Railway:
,.;sp'oyes for police protection does no
sn ans True to me. 1t sounds as though
ma rsue one IN authority has said to the
ms,, sn, 1ou so ahead and strike ant
viii, wiz plenty of trouble and the cit.
VIZ VIZ nave TO give us increased fares
'F"Sn FaS we can divide up
so. othermore, | have very stronl
Eaaon that the letter of Receive,
sif;.uges, under date of August 8, con
i;rJI a distinct threat to me of tn,
Coz. that Is prohibited by the Pena
w. ,ae, sections $50 and $50. In his let
.nr. hedges threatens to ask the
liz ssof sr Tor the removal of amy pub
du,vV V'ncsal who fails to perform his
~, IN full sincerity or in Other
sius, TO please Mr.. Hedpes. and II
suesae eI paragraph insinuates aaf
ersss eres's that the only way | car
dr. the humiliation and trouble oi
Pol;am"a such charges is to have tht
Asdseeu department carry out Receiver
etbasse ideas of public service. II
Nits words, If Mr.. Hedges has his way
NJ sne Governor. | will be remove.
W not turn over the Police De