New-York tribune., 1920-04-12
Jersey Strikers
To Give Hague
Their Demands
Jersey City Mayor Pleads
With ''Outlaws" to Name
Leaders and Guarantees
Hearing by Railroads
Men in 8-Hr. Conference
Reporters Are Barred From
Secret Session and Told
There Is Nothing to Say

A committee of the OUTLAW" strikers.
whose refusal to work has tied up the
big Jersey railroad yards and has sus-
pended the operation Of the Hudson
tubes. will meet at the Office Of Mayor
Frank Hague in Jersey City this morn
ing. With the cooperation of Mr..
Hague they propose to present the de-
mands of the men to the railroads,
though the railroads have announced
they will not treat with the strikers.
This was the principal outcome of an
held at G1andview Hall, Jersey CITY.
yesterday. 1t was also the only de-
velopment OF the meeting to which the
reporters were given access
Secrecy Guards Meeting
Representatives of the New York and
New Jersey papers were allowed to &C.
company the Mayor into the hall and
we're directed to accompany him out
at the close of his visit.
Only because of Mayor Hague's in
sistence that they be admitted during
his short appearance were they per-
mtted to enter. AS soon as the MAYORS
visit was concluded, the seal of secrecy
was again applied.
long lire of automobiles, not all
of which were of the make which made
Michigan famous, was parked outside
the hail yesterday from 10 o'clock until
nearly s. 1t was apparent that Grand
view Hall had been made strike head
quarters for the entire Jersey City dis
.rct. y
Men who did not own cars and who
mad no motoring neighbors made the
n,,k11,svc
buses which made regular trips to
Newark, Hoboken and other Jersey CEN
ters of population.
A very evident hostility to news
papers was evidenced when Mayor
Hague entered the packed hall with a
dozen newspaper men in his wake.
Kisses and catcalls were heard from all
parts of the room, and it was only
when it was explained that the report
ers were present by the Mayors invita-
ton that order was restored.
Before the meeting was allowed to
continue. every newspaperman was re-
CURED t. present his credentials to the
satisfaction of the chairman.
No News to Give Out
Following the Mayors visit it was
stated that "press committee" had
been elected by the strikers which
would meet the reporters after the ses-
sion. This plan was not carried out.
One of the men who was said to be a
member Of the "press committee" told
group Of reporters that there was
nothing doing"
Attempts to interview individual
strikers were resented by groups of the
willing to talk on his personal griev-
ances was prevented by party of his
friends. A request for the names of
the men who will meet Mayor Hague
ms morning was met with the remark,
Do we look like spies?"
Mayor Hague told the men that he
vas in sympathy with them and would
help them fight. If necessary, he said,
ne would call upon Governor Edwards
10 Join the conference.
There must be no violence" he said.
Don't lose your heads. AS Mayor of
Jersey City have led every labor con-
troversy during the past eight years
and have led them to success. l want
you to appoint committee of leaders
and let them visit me tomorrow morn
ing at my office.
You have to have leaders. Send your
leaders to me and we will 60 to the
railroads with your demands. / am a
friend of labor and Pm here to fight
Your cause. The railroads will have to
listen to US. You can trust me to see
to 1T that the roads do not employ
strike breakers. l will not tolerate
violence on either side"
meeting Of the Long Island Local
brotherhood of Railway Trainmen was
held yesterday in Fraternal Hall, ia
malca, at which the unauthorized strike
was condemned. The strikers were or
dered TO return to their work or lose
iheir union cards.
The meeting was held behind closed
doors, but sounds of hot discussion
drifted frequently to the outside. About
zoo trainmen, including the striking
sswitchmen and yardmen, attended. At
the close of the session. j. R. LAWN,
chairman of the Long Island Division
., iawin the brotherhood, gave out the fol-
The decision reached by the meet
ing IS that the strike of the members
81 the brotherhood employed by the
Long Island road is unauthorized. The
strikers were requested to return to
work Immediately. The only dissenting
votes were those cast by men who are
already on strike"
n