New-York tribune., 1919-08-17
Continued from preceding page

as to require this course for the public
benefit and the public good, to say
nothing of the benefit to accrue to the
road itself; and it was made after our
frank statements that in view Of the
circumstances some definite action was
contemplated on last Monday or Tues
day by the employees of your road who
are members of our organization. You
assured US that no act Of yours or of
the receiver would change or tend to
change the conditions existing at that
time, but that you would use your good
Offices to bring about an amicable ad-
justment of the situation.
III do not want you to think for one
moment that there is any cause for
complaint because of the fact that you
wages for the men. On the contrary.
my associates and l are delighted that
the men should have received this in
crease.
Not Chagrined at Raise
"Whether or not increases in wages
are brought about directly through the
efforts of the Amalgamated Association
of Street and Electric Railway En-
p1oyes of America is quite immaterial.
We are always pleased to hear that
street railway men are getting more
money, from whatever source or
through whatever motive the same may
be granted.
last few days have been such as to
make it almost impossible for me to
believe that they we're brought about
with your knowledge or with your con-
sent.
1.-THE so-called brotherhood Of New
York Railways Company Employees,
through communication dated August
13, 1919, and addressed to your re-
ceiver, Mr.. Hedges, demanded, among
other things, that
"You. as receiver of the New York
Railways Company, and Mr.. Hedley,
your general manager, issue instruc-
tions to your subordinates that any
man or men who, in the interests of
the Amalgamated Association, are try
ing to persuade employees of the COM
pany, and members of the Brothe ood,
to join the Amalgamated, should be
forthwith discharged from the service
of the New York Railways Company
Members Are Discharged
whether as result of this letter
or not, suffice it to say that large
number of the members of our organ
ization, whether members of the
brotherhood or not, were discharged
bershlp in our organization.
"The developments aforementioned
prompted us to call a meeting of our
members at the Lyceum Hall, Eighty
sixth Street and Third Avenue, last
night, August Is, 1919. Present at and
about the hall and at the elevated sta
tions on Third Avenue at Eighty-fourth
and Eighty-ninth streets, were at least
forty of the officials of the New York
q
whom were Superintendents Delaney
Reilly, Murray, McGuiness and Conroy,
General Foremen Sachs, O'Connor and
Newall; Chief Inspectors Bressman and
Flynn; Inspector O'Donnell, and Starter
Cossack
"These officials stopped all employees
who were on their way to the hall, and
when they did not succeed in turning
them back, they made note Of their
badge number whenever it was obtain
able, and told them they would be dis
charged in the morning. They even
blocked the doorway leading into the
hall, and it was necessary for us to
call on the police to make them move
some distance away.
Line Controlled by Court
II do not want to characterize this
kind of work. 1t speaks for itself, and
might be expected where traction COM
panies are being operated and main
tanned directly under the supervision
of their own officials. But it is a little
more than / looked for in the case of
the New York Railways which, at least
Tor the time being, is operated and con-
troiied by the United States court
through you. | cannot, at least do not,
want to bring myself to believe that
you permitted or even countenanced
any such tactics as these.
Mr.. Shea and I made our promise to
you in good faith and you know how
faithfully and religiously it was car
rled out. The least we may expect of
you is that you do the same, and we
feel that this can best be evidenced by
your immediate order reinstating these
men.
Company Shows Favoritism
Il do not think that fish should be
made of one and fowl of the other.
The situation, briefly summed ND. is
that the Brotherhood of New York
Railways Company Employees, whicn
now processes to be labor organize
ton, is not being punished for organ
,zlng and its members are not dis
charged by your receiver for Joining
1T. Your employees, who are members
OF the Amalgamated Association arc
helng discharged for joining the or
ganization of their choice.
In the interest of the public good.
which we have so jealously safe,
the members of our organization' vow
employees who were DISCHARGED ves-
terday and the day before, be immedi-
ately reinstated."