The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-08-28
B. R. 7. STRIKE
VOTE TONIGHT
Union Arranges Two Mass
Meetings as Arbitration
Proposal Fails.
COMPANY IS PREPARED
Statement Promises Fight to
Death With Labor Or
ganizatiOn.

Ten thousand Brooklyn Rapid Tran
sit employees, members Of the Anal
Gamated Association OF Street and
Electric Railway Employees of Amer
lea, will hold two mass meetings. one
at o'clock tonight, another at 2
o'clock tomorrow morning, to vote on
whether they will so out Immediately
or strike.
Every indication last night pointed
to a strike. All the foundations that
had been laid for arbitration and ami
cable settlement were swept away by
the sudden decision Of union leaders
t. withdraw pledges made to Judge
julius NJ. Mayer of the United States
District Court; Lindley NJ. Garrison.
receiver OF the system, and John III.
Delaney, who has fought on their be-
half as a mediator. .
They had promised to submit to the
union the courts proposed arbitration
plan. Yesterday they notified him that
1t was unsatisfactory, because any find-
tWOulu DC buDJctl " NUulA
proval. And though this plan will go
before the mass meetings tonight little
hope existed that the men would ap-
prove Of a. when their officers already
had rejected It.
When II became evident that a strike
was impending the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit let It be known that 1t was
thoroughly prepared assured OF suffi-
cient number OF men to operate some
rapid trahsit service, provided with
ample police protection and In a flnau-
cial position--or predicament-in which
II would pay we'll ITO fight to the DEATH
When the strike Is ended, the company
predicted, the Amalgamated Association
of Street and Electric Railway EN-
ployees would cease to exist in Brook
lyn.
'Tf there should be strike the re-
sponsibIiity will be with those who agi-
tato II, and every ono will clearly under
stand where TO place the responsibility,
Judge Mayer declared In a final letter.
transmitted through Mr.. Delaney to the
union leaders.
II authorized the receiver to agree to
arbitration upon the wage question with
only the necessary limitation that the
awards must be such as are capable Of
being met within the financial ability Of
the Brooklyn receiverships. / am un-
able to understand the purposes which
the committee actually has In mind.
Either the committee doubts the good
faith of the court or the real reason for
a strike has not been disclosed by
them"
Mr.. Delaney bitterly denounced Che at
titude OF the union leaders last night
when he realized that nothing could
sway them from the purpose to cripple
Brooklyns transportation system. He
accused the men of playing false and
concoctlng a pretext for a strike.
The b. r. T. Company reported that
II was assured OF enough men to run a
partial service In all events, these men
including mosly members Of a rival
brotherhood which Is hostile to the Anal
gamated, new men hired within the past
few days and large numbers of Amalga-
mated members who are at heart dis
satisfied with the methods OF their lead
ers and against striking.
Union men declared that the strike
would 20 into effect as soon as voted
rpon, though the company contends this
would be a fragrant violation OF exist
ing working agreements calling for thirty
DAYS notice in writing, which has not
vet been given. A strike effective to-
morrow, Sunday travel being the
heaviest OF the week, would rob Coney
Island. Brighton Beach and other resorts
and outlying districts OF service.