New-York tribune., 1919-09-20
| sues Instructions TO
Heads of Departments
to Cut Union Organizers
Out of Next Budget
Meeting Is Held
Despite Threat
Three Organizations at
Work and One Seeks so
Per Cent Pay Increase

Agitation for more paw by citv en-
ploycs hereafter will result in the loss
of their jobs. Mayor Hylan yesterday
issued an order directing the heads of
all departments to drop from next
years budget all employees found "agi-
tating and making trouble"
The Mayors action followed dis
closure that at least three employees
organizations are campaigning for
higher wages. Each of these organiza-
tons expresses hostility toward the 9TH
crs, and all of them profess to repre-
sent majority of city employees. Re-
Gently the desks of city employees have
been dclugcd with various brands of
propaganda. One brand asked them to
join the American Federation of Labor
Another urged them to form a big
union independent of the federation
Various antagonlstic groups among the
city's staff OF employees have been the
result.
The Various Organizations
Organizations which have been de-
manding higher pay.a are:
The Civil Service Forum, 145 River
side Drive, which has been active in
asking increased pay for tiremen
policemen, street cleaners and clerks
Frank J. PrAal, Deputy Controller, who
Is president Of the forum, said yester-
day that his organization, representing
an alliance Of 10000 city, state and
Federal employees, is permanent and
has not sprung into existence merely to
agitate for hg her pay. He described
other organizations as "all bunk
The Municipal Employees Association
Of the City of New York, organized a
month ago, is trying to get higher pay
with the American Federation of Labor.
Its promoters are George Stansfield
and Samuel Prayer, clerks in the Office
of the Commissioner Of Public Chart
ties. Mr.. Stanstield said yesterday that
the organizations opposing his are "all
bunk"
A tentative organization, headed bv
Burt l.. Schneider, president of the
Union OF Technical Men, SO Park Row
is endeavoring to have ali city en-
ployes belong to the A. F. of l.. He is
opposed by the other two organizations.
Mr.. Schneider, who is not city en-
held at 5 Beekman Street Thursday
night, 100 600 city employees, including
tiremen and policemen, were repre-
scnted and that a demand was made
Tor incrc ses in pay. Denial came from
the firemen and policemen yesterday V
that they had had anything to do with
the meeting.
The Mayors General Order
Putting all tn organizations to-
eether, Mayor Hylan, in his order to
the heads of departments, said in his
general order:
81 am Informed that there are en-
ployes connected with the city SER
vice who spend more time agitating
and making trouble than they do
rendering service for which the city
pays them Some Of them seem to
think that the time they are on duty
should be utilized in reading news
papers or scheming for selfish pur-
poses and give little consideration to
the work they are employed to per-
form.
II direct you to give immediate
attention to this class of employees
and have their positions abolished
in next years budget They should
not be on the city payrolls to stir
up strife and trouble fer their en-
ployer-the people Of the city
"The Board Of Estimate and Ap-
Pol,'oH"che - no" taxing up the
question of increasing the salaries
of deserving employees, and the hon
est, faithful employe who is giving
the best that is in him to the city
should receive your consideration"
Despite Mayors Order
Despite the Mayors threat the Mu-
nicipal Employees Association held a
session in the Board of Health building
last night to nominate officers.
Two delegates were present from
each department 10 effect permanent
organization and to frame petitions for
higher pay to be presented to the
Board of Estimate.
"What's the use of asking the
board for more pay? They won't give
it to u.s." said Abraham Brandon 1--WE
have just heard that the Mayor is going
to discharge any employe who asks for
shouldn't we form big organization
like the Teachers Union and then be
powerful enough TO get increases ,"
This suggestion VS. not needed. DR..
T. Bayard Collins, of Bellevue Hospital,
said the question of how much in
crease was to be asked should be lett
to the organizing committee.
~ am in favor Of so per cent in
crease fiat, whether the present pay is
$500 or $4,000 year." said DR.. Collins.
81 believe the high cost of living justi-
fes US in asking so per cent"
Says Mayor Supports 1t
Mr. Stansfield said he expected no
opposition from the Mayor.
Il understand our organization has
the Mayors full support he said.
I'VE are not threatening to strike"
The organizing committee, which is
to report next Monday night at meet
ing in the Municipal Building, was ap-
Continual on maze aenenteen