New-York tribune., 1919-08-05
Garrison Asked to Recog-
nize Union, Grant Wage
Increase and 8-Hour
Day Before 6 Tonight
Manhattan Tie-Up
Also Threatened
Committee Presents De-
mands: Asks for Quick
Decision by Receiver

HinPloyes OF the brooklyn Rapid
Transit Company will strike early to-
morrow unless Lindley M. Garrison
receiver of the company, recognizes the
union, grants an increase in wages and
an eight-hour day and rcinstates all
discharged union employees by O'Clock
tonight, it was announced yesterday
by union officials. Mr.. Garrison is re-
turning to the city from New Hamp-
shire.
There is possibility, it was said, in
case the ultimatum Of the men is not
favorably received, that rapid transit
employees in Manhattan will join the
B. R. T. workers in a sympathetic walk
out. Although the men in Manhattan
are only about so per cent organized,
union leaders predicted that 10000
might join the Brooklyn strikers.
The present crisis, the second in
four months, is the outcome of a meet
ing last Friday night. at. which repre-
sentatives Of the various Brooklyn
lines appointed a committee to present
their demands to the receiver.
ASK recognition or union
Shortly after 10 o'clock yesterday
morning the committee of nine, headed
by Edward Smith, was received in the
directors room of the company by
w. S. Menden, assistant to Frederick
+. Royce, general manager. Mr.. Men
den had been delegated by the B. r. T
officials to receive the men.
P. j. Shea, member of the interna-
president of the Amalgamated Asso-
citation of Street and Electric Railway
Employees of America, who is advising
the men in the present controversy,
accompanied the committee, but did
not take part in the conference.
Assistant General Manager Menden,
after reading the demands of the men,
asked:
What is your principal demand?"
Recognition OF our union," replied
Smith.
1t was suggested by Mr.. Menden that
they put this in writing, and a nota>
ton, reading as follows, was added to
the demands:
"our principal demand is recognition
of our union"
AS Receiver Garrison was on his va
cation the committee was told that he
would be notified by telegraph. Later
in the day it was announced at the
offices Of the B. r. T. that General
Manager Royce had reached Mr.. CARR
son and that the latter would arrive in
the city some time to-day.
After the meeting the committee re-
ported to Mr. Shea, who said:
81 think Receiver Garrison is lodging
the issue, and unless he agrees to rec
ognize the union by 6 o'clock tomorrow
night strike is inevitable"
'If you received a reply from Re-
ceiver Garrison saying he will grant a
week or ten days, would that delay
the issuance of the strike order?" he
was asked.
"No, he must recognize the union"
Shea replied. 1--WE believe we have
public sentiment with US. We re-
Trained from calling a strike last
March on the strength of promises
given by certain officials Of the B. R. T.
Those promises have not been kept.
We are going to take action"
Demands of Workers
In outline, the demands OF the B.
r. L. employees are as follows:
Reinstatement Of ali employees here
tofore discharged for union activities.
Recognition of the union.
An increase of wages for all EN-
ployes rs cents an hour for all train
men, and a similar and proportionate
increase for all others. This applies
to women as we'll as to men.
An eight-hour day.
The committee which presented the
demands was composed of Edward
Smith, Thomas F. Fallon, Edward Nc
Govern. Raymond J Dhuy. George Bub.
Elmer E. Finn, Max Brodie, Edward
Mayors and Morris Drubin. This even
ing the committee will tell the men at
meeting at the Labor Lyceum. Will
oughby and Myrtle avenues, Brooklyn,
about their interview and Mr.. CARR
sons decision.
Strike Is Predicted
II strike is called, the o,der call
ing out the men will take effect early
tomorrow morning. The night crews,
it is said, will be permitted to finish
their runs.
Both employees and officials predict
a strike and are making prcpa rations
for it. Before the committee from
the employees arrived, Colonel T. S.
Williams, general manager of surface
lines, Frederick p. Royce, general
manager of elevated and subway lines.
w. S. Menden, Carl N. Owens, partner
and attorney for Receiver Garrison.
and operating heads of the various
Continued on page three