New-York tribune., 1919-04-09
Executive Committee of
the Carmen Seeks to
Have War Board Act to
Stop Brooklyn 1ie-Up
Motormen of IL and
Subway Not in III
Union Leaders Predict
Tie.Up Of All Surface
Lines When Call Comes

Brooklyn Rapid Transit system voted
unanimously to strike, at meetings last
night and early to-day. The last meet
ING of workers on the night shift was
held at o'clock this morning.
No time was fixed for the strike,
this being left in the hands of the
executive committee OF the Amalga
mated Association of Street and Elec-
trio Railway Employe.
--he strike meetings were held at Ar
cadia Hall, Halsey Street and Saratoga
Avenue, Brooklyn. to take action on the
refusal Of Lindley NJ. Garrison, the
B. r. T. receiver, to grant an increase
in wages or to treat with q committee
affiliated with the union.
There are 12000 employees on the
B. L. T sNrface, elevated and subway
lines. How many Of these are affected
could not be learned. 1t is predicted
by the union leaders that the surface
lines will be tied up, and many of the
elevated and subway workers will be
called out. The elevated and subway
motormen are affiliated with different
union. The urion claims d 2s.ambc ship
Of between 1000 and 5000.
Will Seek Arbitration
The committee of sixteen, headed by
James Sheridan, empowered to set the
date for the strike, will do everything
in its power to settle the controversy
amicably before calling out the men.
Immediately after the strike vote
was cast the committee addressed a
letter to Mayor Hylan, asking his in
tervention to prevent strike, which
would endanger millions of dollars
worth OF city property. The commit
tee will try to call upon the Mayor to-
day to personally lay the matter be-
fore him.
At the same time, it was announced
the Federal War Labor Board will be
asked to take hand in the settlement
Of the questions at issue. The walk
out will await the action Of the Fed
erai and city agencies.
The Papers All Read
he strike vote was taken after the
reading of report Of the committee
~hlcn included the demands Of the
union' Receiver Garrison's reply, and
'ne following recon mondation:
we have been guided by the action
o. the receiver when he published his
notice OF March II that he would deal
with 4 committee Of his employees and
tnat ne was not concerned about
whether they belonged to a labor or
sanlzation or not
we have pursued this thought to
us logical conclusion, that where it
was not possible for the receiver and
sout committee to get together, we
wouid place our case before the Ma
tonal War Labor Board
r IN view Of the actions Of Receiver
harrison, we feel that your committee
has done everything in its power to
e'Just tne matters in controversy in
peaceful way. The committee has
Kept mind that fact that the travel
ing public Of Brooklyn must have
transportation to and from its work.
ehst It Is q vital part of the life and
"elaFe Of the community.
Strike Vote az Weapon
Therefore your committee recon-
Mends that d strike vote be taken in
osoer to bring the pressure OF public
"plhion upon the company, and have it
agree TO submit the matter in contro-
xnefSy TO the National War Labor
In taking this action it is for the
purpose Of placing the company in it's
proper position before the travelling
Ruoiic OF Brooklyn, and the vote is to
" placed IN the hands Of your com
.nastee TO be put into operation after
ssefy honorable effort has been made
~ reach an arnicable understanding
WIN the receiver Of the company"
h,er the report, with its recon
.aehaation, had been accepted unani-
.aonsiy, the following letter was sent
70 Mayor Hylan:
Dear Sir: We, the undersigned
sgHmitfee representing the employees
"a the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
Yahy, IN meeting assembled, were Sc
.seted 70 wait on you for the purpose
seeking your aid in the bringing
aoput OF an amjcablc settlement oi
~ ~ o'Kerences between ourselves and
tne company.
We do this In hope that you, az the
representative of the people, whose IN
Ifssts represent many millions OF dol
sats N property and which should be
4s~sgoarded against any unnecessary
.pss 70 the tazpayers through q labor
svfstfoyersy which We believe can be
~ycseeh, VIII help VI with your inter
kzpreszIng the hope that you will
ze snis matter your personal atten-
s'' s'Dh' oeeanAe cf its very great impor.
sN'see 70 the welfare Of our community
continued o,s pnge mtne