Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-11
REDUCED TO TWELVE HOURS.
The Washington and Georgetown Rail.
road Company ShOrtens Hours OF
Labor.
THE CONDUCTORS AND DRIVERS TO WORK LESS
TINE AFTER MAY 1sT, BUT TO GET THE SAME
WAGES AS NOVA NOTICE WHICH AGREE
ABLY SURPRISED THE MEN.

yesterday afternoon the employees OF the
Washington and Georgetown railroad company
were surprised by the following notice which
was posted by the superintendent in the wait
Ing rooms at the various depots of the company
throughout the city: "On and after May 1st
1856, twelve to thirteen hours, including all
lay over time on the stands. will constitute a
days work for conductors and drivers on the
w. and G. r. r. Wages So per day. By order
OF the directors. II. HURT, President"
This notice followed Immediately after the
monthly meeting of the company, which was
nel0 yesterday afternoon. AT that meeting the
directors voted to make the reduction of the
hours AT present the hours of the drivers and
to SiI;o On 1wo-h0rse ears wo1k rom nfteen
Each man is allowed out of that time about
NIFTY minutes for dinner. The wages paid now
attended by any reduction OF pay.
WHAT PRESIDENT HURT SAYS.
To STAR reporter President Hurt stated this
morning that the lessening of the working
hours was done voluntarily; that no demand
had been made by the employees, and that this
new move will cost $4,000 additional per
year, as 1t will necessitate the employment OF
ADDITIONAL men, horses and cars, which will
increase the expenditures SO per cent.
Mr.. Hurt also stated that the running
time Of the cars would be materially changed,
and that the longest interval would be from
5:3O to O'Clock am, when 5 minutes would
elapse between each car; from TO o'clock a.
m. the interval would be three minutes, and
from to 1880 O'Clock a. m, two minutes, and
the remainder Of the day up to 1890 p. m,
from two and a half minutes to two minutes,
which will cause the cars to run very close to
each other on the avenue, while on the eth
street line the interval will average about three
and half minutes. The present working time
81 the conductors and drivers averages about
horse cars and twenty "bod-taiP' cars on the
avenue route.
THE EMPLOYEES PLEASED.
The drivers and conductors were much pleased
with the announcements The ears of STAR
reporter, who stood in one of the conductors
waiting rooms to-day were greeted constantly
with expressions of pleasure. Most OF the men
attributed the action taken yesterday to Presi-
dent Hurts influence in their behalf. HE has
been conductor himself, and he knows what
1t is, I" said one.
"When the company talked about reducing
pay" said another MI Hurt came out for the
take 81 900 off his salary"
The drivers and conductors of the eth street
Mr.. Hurt, which said: "We. the employees of
the 7th street branch of the W. & G. r. r. CO.
recognizing that it is due to your advocacy that
the number of hours have been reduced we
gratefully tender You our sincere thanks; with
a high appreciation OF your kindness We SUBJ
scribe ourselves, &C."
Similar action is being taken by employees on
the other branches of the road.
An officer of the company stated to STAR
reporter that the reduction of time would have
gone into effect at once if it had not been Ior
the necessity of taking time TO provide tor ad-
ditional cars horses and stable room, which
will be needed in order to carry on the business
of the road.
Practically the hours will be not more than
twelve per day, the limit being fixed at thir-
teen in case trip should be only partially
completed when the twelve hours expired. An
earlier date for the change was not fixed, be-
cause 1t will take until May 1 to rearrange the
time tables and make other changes required