New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-13
B. II. T. Strike
Reported Due
On August 20
A. F. of l.. Executive Coun-
Gil Said to Have Author
lied Walk Out, Despite
Labor Chiefs Denials
Company Will Not Fight
Court Order Will Be OBJ
tanned Shutting Down
Every Line i'm Brooklyn

on the B. r. T. system has been au-
thorlzed by the executive council of
the American Federation of Labor and
leaders of the Amalgamated Associa-
ton of Street and Electric Railway
Employees at conference at the Hotel
Continental, leaders Of the Amalga
mated yesterday denied that such ac-
ton has been taken.
Patrick j. Shea, member of the
executive board of the Amalramated.
when asked about the report declared
emphatically that no strike action will
be taken by the local unions of the
Amalgamatcd until after August %.
When the present agreement with the
brooklyn Rapid Transit Company ex-
pires.
eve intend to do nothing until after
August 2S," said MIR. Shea.
August 20 Is Date Set
And what are you going to do
them" Mr.. Shea was asked.
"Ihat's funny question:" he re-
pied. How do | know? We have
presented our demands to Mr.. Gar
I,ii and he has turned them down.
VIII be known after August 2S"
According to reports from authori-
tative sources, Mr.. Shea appeared be-
iore the executive council of the Amer
icah Federation of Labor and laid. be-
aore IL the situation as it developed.
lollowlng Mr.. Garrson's refusal to ac-
cedc to the demands of the men or to
receive committee, in the composition
OF which national leaders of the Anal
gamated were included.
MT Garrison in his letter said he
would not deal with outsiders, but onlv
directly with representatives of the
employees of the b. r. T. After a short
discussion, 1T is said, the executive
STRIKE action by the Amalgamated and
promised to lend it the full support of
the Federation. According to the re-
port, Mr. Shea told the executive coun-
en- that strike on the B. r. T. subway.
elevated and surface systems would be
called at midnight August 90.
., STRIKE action is being discussed bv
the respective locals of the B. R. T
employees at meetings being held everv
evening No information is obtain
acle from union leaders on the nature
OF inc discussions, but it is understood
mat the men favor walk-out should
me D. II. /. remain firm in its refusal
70 grant the so per cent wage increase
ASKED by the men. That this is the
sentiment of the men was evidenced
yesterday in statement bv one of the
leaders of the men in Brooklyn.
Do Not Fear Strike
1--WE have nothing to fear from strike
action" he said. 1--WE have 90 per cent
or the men behind u.s."
deadiock as result of the action of
Receiver Garrison. Mr. Garrison has
SAID that the company could not raise
wages more than 10 per cent and that
ne could not grant the closed shon
even If he wanted to do so. because
OF instructions from Judg Julius
Mayer. The latter phase of the nroh.
lem Will be taken up by committee
OF employees headed by Louis Fridiger.
counsel for the Amalgamated. at
day. 40 '-'-
Persons familiar with the nature of
the courts instructions to Mr.. Carl
son declared yesterday that the union
leaders can expect little encouragement
from Judge Mayer In fact, the union
leaders thmselves do not dcnv that tho
PROBABILITY is that judge Maver will
inform them that neither Increased
wages nor the closed shop are possible.
Will Shut Down System
1T is also understood that in event
OF strike the B: r. T. will make no
attempt to fight the strike with strike.
breakers, but instead will procure an
order from the court ending operation
OF every train and car on the B. +. r
system. If a strike is called tn B. R.
T. system will come to a halt regard
less of the attitude or conduct Of the
strikers. ~ VIC
The question of improved service on
the B: r. T; lines was the subject con-
sldered by Deputy Public Service Com
missioner Morgan T. Donnelly yester-
day, when he directed the COMPANY.
through counsel for the Public Service
Commission, to cease operation of
Ihree-car trains on the levated lines in
Brooklyn in rush hours, and also TO
provide better informed platform men
Tor the direction Of passengers at some
OF the more importnt stations.