Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-08
THE CAR DRIVERS STRIKE.

with rumors OF pending strikes on other roads,
caused considerable agitation among the car drv
ers and their friends The Belt Line drivers made
their regular trips up to 10 O'clock when they be-
gan to turn in the cars the drivers informing Mr..
Barnes, the superintendent, that they were going
to quit work. The drivers remained about the
stables until the last driver turned in, and then
dispersed, having created no disorder. Eight cars,
driven by "eXtra" men not included in the strike,
continued to run on the road until after O'Clock,
when the superintendent ordered them to turn In,
alleging as a reason that the strikers might dam
drivers, however, claimed that the reason was a
desire evinced by some OF the extra men to join
the strike. The strike is attributed to the refusal
OF Mr. Barnes to reinState a driver named Nit
chell, discharged Saturday. An applicant for
place as driver was put on Mitchell car Saturday
the stables it is stated Mitchell asked the new
man he would pledge himself to join the Knights
OF LABOR Upon the new mans declining to pledge
himself Mr.. Mitchell informed him that it would
be violation OF the rules OF the order to give him
Instructions. and invited him to leave the car.
The new man returned to the stables and reported
to Mr.. Barnes what had occurred. When Nit
chells car returned Mitchell was discharged. The
G1lscharge was considered at a meeting OF the
Taylor, the president OF the Brotherhood, subse-
quently called on Mr.. Barnes and asked that Nit
chell be reinstated. This was refused, and the
strike was ordered.
THE SITUATION THIS MORNING
The Belt Line was this morning operated by ten
cars, but on the 11th and Water streets branch
there were none running reporter of THE STAR
this morning, on the way to the stables. I'd and C
or the old drivers on Maine avenue, between Sd
and ~ streets, engaged in animated conversa-
tlOn.
''What is the situation ?" the reporter asked
"About the same as yesterday" was the reply;
''e1ght or ten cars running"
WHAT DRIVER SAYS OF THE CAUSE OF THE STRIKE,
"What is the cause Of the difficulty 2" inquired
the reporter.
stIt Is NOT atopether nc ctatod in raoo ~ IN mt
ting on a non-union man." said one of the men.
"We made demand for an increase OF wages Sat
9rday, and it was not acceded to. Then the boys
.'How are they getting along now?"
"Why," said the spokesman. "they have eight
OF them are boys and some who have been on the
road before. but were discharged We asked for
81 per day for Az hours. and 20 cents per hour for
Rounds about one OF his employees. One OF them,
who used to drive on the road, came down yester-
day and volunteered to drive a car. and has also
put on his brother, who was discharged for 1ncom-
potency. guess the public will soon settle mat
ters for u.s. I think we Will be sustained"
WHAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROAD SAYS
MIR. Charles White, the president Of the road.
and Mr.. Barnes, the superintendent, were found
near the stand at Maryland avenue and Sd street
Mr.. White, in answer to inquiries said: 1--WE have
ten cars out and expect to gradually put the 9TH
ers out On both lines we have SO cars"
Amy ANY OF the OLD drivers?" was asked of Mr..
,,, Yes" he answered, "two Of the ten cars are
hculty that the Knights OF Labor want to declare
what men shall drive for the company, but the
company did not propose that they should do 1t.
I'VE propose he said, Ito run our own road in
"Mr. White" said the reporter, sssome OF the
men 1 say that they made demand for more wages.
MIR. White answered, 81 have received none.
rnere WAS paper handed mean anonymous
was there demand made in that paper?"
asked the reporter.
apout wages; but. as stated, there was no names
signed to the paper. This road is now paying as
much as it can af1ord-eleven cents per hour--and
the drivers average 81 Is to $lSO per day, making
14h or Is hours.
The Threatened Strike on the w. & G.
Line.
DEMAND FOR INCREASED WAGES
The threats OF a strike on the Washington and
Georgetown road caused some excitement among
the drivers and others about the stables of that
road In West Washington at noon to-day. Satur-
day delegation representing the Car Drivers
Assembly OF the Knights OF Labor, headed by Mr..
Taylor, the president, presented paper to Mr.
Hurt. president OF the company, fixing a new
o wages to be paid to the drivers
day for the drivers and conductors with increased
compensation in like proportion for hill boys,
Hurt said he would present the paper to the meet
ing OF the directors next Wednesday. The dele
gaton, gator, however. asked to have reply to-day at
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR CALL
ON PRESIDENT HURT.
At noon to-day, MessrS. Taylor AMI Brewer, rep
resenting the Knights OF Labor, appeared at Mr.
Hurts office. 1--WE have come to know, said Mr.
Brewer, "what you have to say"
81 have no change to make" said Mr.. Hurt "in
the answer gave you Saturday."
"Then you Will present the subject to the board
Eyes" said Mr. Hurt, "but we may as wen have
this question understood right here I do not be-
lieve that the directors OF this company will con-
knights Of Labor. understand that your petition
comes from the Knights of Labor"
"Rather So" said Mr.. Brewer.
"Well, this company" continued Mr.. Hurt, "has
no business connection with the Knights OF Labor.
II the employees OF the company united in a re-
attention. II they had any grievances
to complain OF. am sure they would be righted,
II possible II the men who went into this asso.
citation had come to me first would have advised
them not to do it. l would not have advised
them not to petition for an increase of wages for
If they chose to do that would have taken q per-
sonal interest in securing for them anything rea-
SOnable."
Mr.. Hurt stated further that the company had
the city, remark to which Mr.. Brewer gave as
sent He said that II they had procured statistics
IL the the rate Of " and hours Of labor
have done what he could to give the en-
plOyeS OF the Washington and Georgetown
road more than the best roads paid.
He assured them that IL they would withdraw
from the association and present petition as en-
plOyeS OF the road 1t would receive attention. Mr.
Brewer asked whether II the men abandoned the
association those who had been connected with It
would not be dropped. Mr.. Hurt replied that they
would not The delegation then withdrew with
out signifying what course OF conduct they
would adopt
WHAT PRESIDENT HURT SAID TO STAR REPORTER.
Mr.. Hurt, president OF the road, stated to STAR
reporter that many OF his men were deceived into
Joining the association by representations that its
was benevolent The talk OF ordering
strike had induced these even to withdraw from
the organization. He claimed that his company
paid wages above the average, and that deductip9
The slay-over time" allowed, the hours of actual
work were about twelve per day. Tho complry
raised the pay OF hill boys and hOstlers, and In the
conductors and drivers from $2 to S225 per day b
At the present rate of fares he said, the company
could not afford an increase. He said the ques-
ton is whether the company shah run its own
road or permit the Knights OF Labor to run it.
After the interview with Mr.. Hurt, Messrs Tay-
l0r and Brewer remained about the stables for
some time converStng with the men. small
mass meeting OF conductors and drivers was held
In one OF the rooms OF the Oflce and Mr.. Hurt and
Mr.. Sailer talked with the men for some time,
urging that 1t would be folly for them to strike.
MR. TAYLOR SAYS THERE WILL BE NO STRIKE TO-DAY
To STAR reporter Mr. Taylor said that proba-
no Nnuo IN fha nP