Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-11
GIVEN A HEARING.


nights conference, but il was short while
later when the delegation, composed OF
the committee and several other employees,
-NvaikeA up the steps and were ushered INTO
Captain PizZini's room. where all OF the
visitors We're given seats.
Mr.. Montague, the chairman Of the CON-
mittee and of the employees meeting,
acted rs chief spokesman. and when
the above paper had been read he
took the floor to speak in behalf of his as
socistes. and in thirty-minutes address re-
lated many of the hardships and disad-
vantagcs under which the men have la
bored Mr.. Montague expressed himself
clearly and openly, and manifested deep
interest in the welfare of the road as well
as in the men employed to operate
the cars. 1t was business talk
with Mr.. Fisher, who. he said: he felt sure
would do what was reasonable and right.
He came to ask what was Just for the men,
nothing more. He had little to complain
of himself. as he had been fortunate IN
making very good time. The wages at Dest
were small, but rs he owned his home
and had small family lie could
make out very comfortably with reasona-
bly, steady employment. Some of his asSo-
ciates, however, in whom he felt deeply In
terested. had been compelled to lose a
great deal of time under the trip system,
Instead of paying by the day, and 1T was III
behalf of these that he particularly ap-
peared. His car had been in the shop since
Friday. and when no called yesterday af-
ternoon instead of it being ready-as he
had been assured by Mr.. Traylor, the su-
perintendent. it would be-there was not
even any machinery under it. He did not
wish TO thus lose time unnecessarily, and
he indirectly intimated that the lack or
material had frequently delayed the re-
pairing of cars that should have remained
in the shop but q short while.
Mr.. Fisher interposed with the remark
that there need be no lack OF material;
that il would be promptly furnished when
called for, and of the best that could be
had.
Superintendent Traylor added that he
had never been limited III the supply OF
material to be had, and If there was any
scarcity at any time 1t was due to the TACT
that he had been too economical In making
his acquisitions.
Mr.. Montague said he did not mean to
saw whose fault il was that the material
was lacking, but the road and the pubic
service had suffered for the want OF 1t. MI
Montague also made some other observa-
tions concerning the equipment ana man
agement of the road which did not reflect
credit on those Responsible therefor.
OPPOSED TO TRIPS.
In concluding his remarks Mr.. Montague
said the employees felt that the contlnua::
tion of the trip system as now operated
would entail great hardship on them. II
il was 10 be continued in vogue at all-and
they hoped it would be aoolished-they
suggested the plan indicated in their writ
ten proposition above as the most fair one
that could be agreed upon.
He sympathized with the company IN
their financial complications and other
troubles, but for these the poor operatives
could not be made 10 answer. lie knew
the company was not making money, ana
that the road and equipment were both In
bad condition. but for these the opera
tives were not responsible. ana they were
forced 10 ask that their dues be given
them, and that when required TO, lose
day on account of the company. they, be
paid for that much time whether they
made one trip or six.
EVERYBODY TALKS.
Mr.. II. NJ. Smith had very little TO say
further than to read the paper which ne
had written. He had another engagement,
and had TO excuse himself as soon as the
conference was well under way.
Mr.. Montague was followed by Mr.. Shon;;
berger, Captain Sullivan, and several
others, all of whom spoke in the same
strain, each one. however tahihs sePoA az
branch of complaint. There was no Tor
mality. All had hearing, and some
times two or three we're up at tne
same time. Mr.. Fisher listened attentively.
and had very little to say. Now and tnen
he would ask question. looking 10
thoroughly inform himself, and then again
he would ask Superintendent 1raylor 10 ex.
plain why certain causes of compiaiht
existed. Captain Pizzini took hand now
and then. but all that he said was III tne
way Of suggestions tending TO bring aoout
an agreement mutually beneficial.
THE RESULT.
The conference lasted about four hours
and was taken up with statements OF which
the foregoing are fair samples. Inc men,
burning under the consciousness tnat tney
have not been getting as much as snouio
be paid them when they are required 70
give their entire time to the COM
pany. whether actually, at work or nos'
asked for redress aud did 1t IN oe.
coming manner. They spoke freely, ou.
with moderation and without temper OF
any undue harshness. Some OF tne'i
statements were criticisms. on the
management of Superintendent Tray
lor, but on the whole they referred to MN
in complimentary terms, expressed :
kindly feeling for him. and saio soey