New-York tribune., 1919-04-10
Labor Organization Sends
Message Urging That
Government Officials
Try to Prevent Strike
Ample Notice to
People Promised
Mayor Agrees to Try to
Persuade Garrison to
Give Workers Audience

REPORTS we're current in all parts OF
Brooklyn last night that the B. r. T
men were on strike, or would strike
early this morning. When these re-
ports were called to the attention of
P. J. O'Bren. international president
of the Amalgamated Association of
Street and Electric Railway Employees
in charge of the Brooklyn situation
he said:
"No strike has been ordered. No
body is on strike No strike can be
ordered until after Mayor Hylan has
had chance to do something. The
War Labor Board must also have a
chance. Furthermore, the executive
board of the ANA mated--that is to
say, the national body-will have to be
consulted before the strike vote is
ordered effective, and there will be no
strike without ample notice to the
people Of Brooklyn. That you can de-
pend upon
Mr.. O'Brien said the War Board had
been asked to intervene to prevent a
strike.
Mayor Hylan received Arnold Z.
Miller, William Riley and Aaron Cop
man, a subcommittee of the strike
committee OF B. r. T. union en-
ployes, at City Hall yesterday and
listened to their request that he ask
Mr.. Garrison to meet with the COM
mttee. The Mayor agreed, after hear
ing the committees statement of
grievances, and promised to advise the
members later of the result of his eff
forts. Nothing was heard from this
promise last night. 1t is understood
the Mayor did not succeed in getting
in touch with Lindley NJ. Garrison. the
B. R. T. receiver At the B. r. T.
Offices and Mr.. Garrison's home it was
stated that he was not in the city, but
might be home to-day.
Mayor To Be Cautious
Mayor Hylan made it clear to the
committee that he did not propose to
lay himself open to any possible con-
tempt OF court charges in interfering In
the matter.
Il will ask Mr.. Garrison to meet the
committee" said Mr.. Hylan after it had
oeen made clear to him that the imme-
dlate object of the visitors was to see
the receiver. "Of course you know he
represents the courts, and I want to do
nothing to interfere with the Federal
courts. The peaceful way is the best.
lou must consider everything before
you take the responsibility of calling a
strike"
inis the committee promised to do,
a ana departed to confer with Mr..
obr'en, William Collins, Of the Amer
lean sa Federation Of Labor, and Thomas
onIhe' ce-president of the Amalga-
mated Association Of Street and Elec-
Iric hallway Employees assigned to the
brooklyn situation. These were in
conference the greater part of yester-.
oay working out the details of a strike
pan and directing the work of organ
l1ers assigned to the task Of bringing
4" as many new members as possible.
Vut"ardiy there was nothing in
brooklyn yesterday to indicate that a
ssr'He was impending. Cars ran on
.ne usual schedules and conductors and
motormen, as well as subway guards
and ticket choppers, we're not inclined
talk strike. AS rule they pro
iessed to know "only what we see in
the papers"
Men Afraid of "Spotters"
a., me fact 49," said O'Brien last night.
tne men are afraid to talk. They do
aot know but what they may be talking
" q spotter, and even those who stand
.saoy TO strike are not courting dis
m,ssal in advance,
no statement was issued by opcrat-
ing ofhclals of the COMPANY Yesterday.