New-York tribune., 1919-08-23
Grand Jury. to
Act on Strike
Probe Monday
Swami Ready TO Present
Facts in Interborough
Case; Talley r e yea s
Some of the Discoveries
Notes Difference i'm Plans
Says Company Refused Aid
and Made no Prepara-
tions for Tie-Up

Acting District Attorney Talley yes
terday gave out details of some of his
discoveries in the investigation of
charges Of collusion and conspiracy be-
tween the lnterborough Rapid Transit
Company and its employees to force in
creased fares through strike. Mr..
Talley, who said District Attorney
Swami was ready to present his con-
spiracy case to the extraordinary
grand jury when it reconvenes Mon
day. examined witnesses yesterday.
The District Attorneys Office has in
formation, according to Mr.. Taley.
that before the strike started strike
breaking agency offered the INTERIOR
ough one batch of 1000 men who were
willing to assist in any effort the COM
pany made to maintain a service.
THE offer of these men was de-
clined, according to our information" )"
said Mr.. Talley. "This is strange as
compared with the traction company's
policy during the strike of 1916. when
strike-breakers were imported from
great distances at considerable ex-
pense.
Preparations in 1916
II have also been told that in prepa-
ration for the 1916 strike the com
pany purchased thousands of beds and
field kitchen outfits for use in barns
and terminals and made other elabo-
rate preparations for crushing the
strike which were noticeably absent
III this walkout In 1916 the company
went to grsat pains and expense to
provide for the convenience of strike
breakers.
81 am informed that on Wednesday
Of this week Intcrborough employees
were addressed by representatives Of
'"e company and warned that if they
loined in any strike with the Anal
:amated Union they would be dis
eharged. There was no such action
hefole the strike called by the Inter
rorough Brotherhood last Sunday
II have also been seeking an ex-
tianation of why the clause in the In
ierborough Brotherhood bylaws spe-
elicaliy providing for arbitration as to
hours and wages before calling Il
strike was abrogated for this strike
3lls IS the clause the IntcrborouCh
Inserted IN its Brothcrhood's rcgula-
ions after the tieup OF 1915.
II have also learned that Monday, at
iAe height Of the strike, so per cent OF
iae employees in one OF the INTERIOR
oAgh shops reported for work and
fiter hankinls around all afternoon and
AadinG that no work had been pro-
H-1ed. they went home.
Says Officials We're Friendly
indications OF the friendliness be-
i~een brotherhood heads and the com
pany officials, even during the walkout,
TO be found in information that
iyAiie the recent strike was on several
brotherhood men who had Joined the
algamated Union were discharged
a. the request of brotherhood officials. "
Nh. Talley declared that District
.ttorney Swami would move with care
"a calling l. r. T. and brotherhood
,.lclals 10 testify before the grand
.ory, because "the District Attorney
FfIl grant immunity to no one" The
principal testimony before the grand
July will be by brotherhood members.
* was said.
It is also said that the District At
.orney's Office had information that
% lncerborough employees who re-
used to join the brotherhood were
charged just before the strike
'arted.
Mr.. Talley declined to give the
ines Of witnesses he examined yes
.rGay.
lie also announced that evidence
'~rned up by the District Attorney 3
.icc IN its jnYestigati tion of the milk
distributors would go to the grand
Try Monday next.