New-York tribune., 1919-04-05
Garrison Will
Not tParley With
B. X. L. Unions
such strike will tie up the entire
system, he prophesied.
Mr.. Garrison Replies
Continued from page

system, he prophesied.
Mr.. Garrison Replies
In his letter to Mr. Sheridan Mr..
Garrison said:
~ note you state that you are sub
mtting to me several requests COM
piled in agreement form, and there
was accompanying your letter a
draft of the articles of agreement.
Such articles are stated to be between
the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company
and all it's subsidiaries and such en-
ployes of the company who are now, or
may hereafter become, members of
Division S67 of the AmaIgamated As
sociaton of Street and Electric Rail
way Employees Of America
"lf the intention is to have the COM
pany enter into an agreement with per-
sons who are now, or may hereafter
become, members of a particular divis-
ion of the named association as such,
such action All agreements at any
time made with our employees should
cover all of the men in similar en-
ployment, whether they are members Of
union or not.
"l ou are, of course, aware, as are all
the employees of the system, of the at
titude of the receiver in respect of the
subject matter.
"In q notice to all Of the employees
dated March II, 1919, they were in
formed as follows:
In so far as the present manage
ment is concerned, these two recon-
mendations of the National War Labor
Board sufficiently indicate the policy
being followed and to be followed. In
other words, no attempt is made to
prevent an employe from joining any
organization that he pleases, religious,
patriotic, benevolent. political or labor
union. On the other hand, the man.
agement of the system will, as hereto
fore, deal with committees of its own
employees in all matters affecting the
relation Of its employees to the system
"The two recommendations of the
National War Labor Board above re-
ferred to were in the following Ian
guage:
zone of March 6, 1919, AS follows:
"'That the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
Company and its subsidiary companies
operating street railway lines in New
York City give full and free permis-
sion to all its employees to organize
labor unions in conformity with the
announced principles of this board
Justice
"The other of October "a, 1918, as
follows:
"'Under our principles. the company
not being bound otherwise by any con
tract or agreement with the union,
may refuse to see and deal with any
committee but one of its own en-
ployes'
Ready to Meet Employees
"If, therefore, the employees of the
system in any of its branches have any
grievances which they desire to have
taken up for consideration, or any re-
quests in respect of the conduct of the
company toward them or in respect of
their employment, | shall be very
pleased to have them formulate what
ever they desire me TO consider, and at
a time mutually agreeable | shall be
glad If necessary, to meet committee
of the employees designated to repre-
sent such employees in respect of the
subject matter
"The management will not deal with
any outside organization whether the
same be, as mentioned in it's notice of
March II, 1919. religious, patriotic
benevolent, political or labor 1t will
always be ready to deal with it's en-
ployes directly, through committees
selected bysthe employees, in respect OF
any matters of mutual concern to the
employees and the management"
Union Demands Presented
First Of the concessions demanded d
was recognition of the union. The
others were a 60-cent rate for q nine
hour "swing" during rush hours, So
cents for blacksmiths and structural
workers and 45 cents for shopmen for
an eight-hour day, with time and a
half for overtime
Mr.. Garrison made his letter public
after long Conference with officials of
the B. r. T. Among those at the con-
ference were Timothy S. Williams, for
mer president Of the company; Fred
erick P. Royce, general manager for
the receiver; John j. Dempsey. vice
president; w. Siebert, superintendent
Of surface lines; C. L. Crabbs, wavand
structure engineer; w. G. Cove, eouip-
ment superintendent; L. Van Cott, pur-
chasing agent, and C. D. Meneelv
treasurer