The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-05
BRIT. MEN GIVE
GARRISON ONLY
TO-DAYTOYIELD
Receiver Rushes From Va
cation to Meet Demand
for Wage Increase.
VOTE ON STRIKE TONIGHT
Union Recognition, Refused by
Road, Now the Chief Bone
of Contention.
VOTE ON STRIKE TONIGHT

Receiver Lindley N. Garrison was
reported last night to be hurrying to
this city to grapple with the threat
cned strike of Brooklyn Rapid Transit
employees, but little hope was held out
that the differences between the cor
poration and the union would be ami
cably adjusted.
With the ultimatum Of the en-
pioyees before them and the posi-
bility of general walkout being called
al s o'clock A. NJ. tomorrow. officials
Of the company were reported last
night to have taken extraordinary
measures to avert trouble.
According to advices received by Louis
Fridiger, attorney for the Amalgamated
Association of street and Electric, Rail
way Employees of America, union men
who counted on attending meeting at
Brooklyn Labor Lyceum tonight re-
oeiyed notice late yesterday that they will
have to work instead
The reason given to the men By the
company, according TO stories told to
Mr.. Fridiger. was that an extra traffic
rush is expected. Such a statement Is
reported to have been made in the Consy
Island yards Of the company by Train
master Talbot and Dispatcher Marino.
who have ordered all the men TO be on
duty.
Mr.. F'ridiger remarked last night that
he had heard of no special reason for
treff1c rush Of extraordinary size, and
that this was the first time to his recol-
lection when such an order had >been is
sued for a Tuesday night-s He charac-
terized the excuse as camoufiage in
vented to keep the men away from the
Lyoeum.
To Submit Garrison's Answers.
At this meeting the members of the
executive committee propose to submit
To the members of the union such an
swers as Mr.. Garrison may make to-day
to their demands. According to p. J.
Shea, one of their advisers, motion for
q strike, to take effect as soon as the
night workers have finished their shift
will be made II the answer of the re-
ceiver Is unsatisfactory.
The men assert that their organiza-
don In far stronger than It was last
March and express confidence In their
ability to paralyze all of the oompanys
lines. This would stop all trolley and
elevated traffic in Brooklyn and would
affect also the B. r. T. subway which
now runs from Coney Island and Bay
Ridge to Fifty-seventh street. Manhat-
tan.
On the other hand. the B. R T.
oficials insist that even in the event Of
a strike being called there will be no
tieup. They have many men broken
in to operating the cars and assert that
they will be well able to handle any
situation that may arise. A request
was sent yesterday to Police Commits
sioner Enright to furnish ample police
protection for the property of the cor
poration.
When a committee of ten called at
the offices Of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
Company yesterday and presented q
petition requesting among other things
an eight hour day and a salary increase
they were asked by w. s. Menden. as
sistant general manager, to specify in
writing their principal demand. and
Edward Smith. chairman of the COM
Inittee. wrote: Recognition Of our
union"
The other members OF the committee
backed this up by declaring that re-
fusal of such recognition will be the
cause of an immediate strike.
Mr. Shea and other members of the
committee talked to Mr.. Frid'ger yester-
day at the Continental Hotel for two hours
and the strike question was thoroughly
discussed. At the end of the conference
they were firm in their determination to
call the men out should their demands
be refused.
Judge Mayors Advice Sought.
Frantic efforts were made by tho men,
bers of the committee to reach, Federal
Judge Julius M. Mayer, who helped set
lie their differences last spring. They
were of the opinion that Judge Mayer
might give some helpful advice on the
present trouble. but they were told at
the Federal Building that he was away
On a motor trip and that his where
abouts were unknown.
Judge Mayer assured us last spring
that none of our men would be discrim-
mated against because OF their afllia-
don with the union" said Mr.. Fridiger.
Notwithstanding his statement the
company has discharged approximately
sixty men because of this very thing
All OF these men have been dropped since
Mr.. Garrison became receiver for the
company"
It was learned that international Of
ficers of the AmAlgamated have come
% this city in response to urgent fele-
grams from Aaron Kopman. business
agent of Local s67. who solicited thsiI
help for the men.
The receiver must take up the de-
nands OF the men at once and give them
q speedy answer IL trouble Is to be
averted was the tenor of the talk In
labor circles. The union officials say
that they win wait until six o'clock this
afternoon for him ~ meet their demands
for recognition and to approach them on
their other requests The meeting al
which they are to report to their mer
10 scheduled for eight o'clock.
Mr.. Garrisons assoates and the COM
pany officials were of the belief yester-
day that he would refuse the demands
and a great part OF the day was taker
Up with a council Of defence. This
was attended by Timothy 8. Williams
Frederick p. Royce. general manager Of
elevated and subway lines for the re-
eciver; w. s. Menden, Carl N. Owens
Mr. Garrtson's partner. and operating
heads OF various Departmental
The union has asked for the rein
statement Of the men discharged becaus,
Of their connection with II. 10 cents Al
hour for train men land proportional,
increases In an departments
ASKS REBATE SLIPS