Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-19
CARMEN QUIT WORK
SIXTEEN MECHANICS OF THE UNION
PASSENGER SHOPS STRIKE.
They Ask Not for Higher Wages, But
Say They Have Too Many
Bosses.

Sixteen mechanics employed at the
shops of the Richmond Union Passenger
Railway Company quit work yesterday
morning.
Il was not a strike for higher wages, as
the men were apparently satisfied with the
money they were making.
The strikers claim that they had too
many bosses. The foreman OF the shops
was Mr.. j. H. Hewitt. who came here
few months ago. Tho men thought he
should give them all orders regarding
repairs to machinery. as that was presuin-
ably his BUSINESS. =,
The superintendent OF the road is Mr.
Wilbur. q northern gentleman who lew
months ago succeeded Mr.. Dabney.
THE SUPERINTENDENT AND FOREMAN.
The strikers say that Mr. Wilbur recent
ly has spent much time in the shops and
would give them orders regarding repairs
contrary to those of Mr.. Hewitt. They
thought the duties of the Superintendent
were upon the road TO look after the run
ming OF the cars aud not IN the shops, and
claim that Mr.. Wilbur is not mechanic
and thew could not work by MS instruc-
tlons. They also charge blr. Wilbur with
favoritism toward two or three negroes
employed in the shops.
Ii seems that the duties Of Mr. Wilbur
and MIR Hewitt were not very clearly de-
fined. or at least the men in the shops were
in some doubt as to whether or not the
Superintendent had right 20 interfere
with their work. A conference was held
and q committee was appointed TO wait
upon President Fisher and lay the facts
before him.
SUPERINTENDENT Is Bos'.
Messrs. Walter Updyke and Peter Bryant
were chosen to wait upon tho chief ofhclal
of the road and saw him "Wednesday night
at the Exchange Hotel. Mr. Fisher told
them Mr.. Wilbur was the superintendent
of the road and had authority over the
shops, and he would not interfere with hi'
orders.
When the result was reported 10 the me
| chancs they decided 10 quit work. and 81
| informed Messrs. Fisher and Wilbur.
Yesterday morning the superintendent
discharged Mr.. Hewitt and paid of all The
strikers.
HiLy DOZEN REMAIN.
/ Only half q dozen employees of she shops
/ remain, all of whom work IL the armature
| room.
/ The strikers remained around the shopi
| for some time yesterday discussing theslt
| alton. They were all IN tho best OF humol
l but were very severe in their criticisms
upon the course Of Superintendent Wilbur
Several of the mechanics are northern
/ men and they think there will be no otroubl'
/ In securing new positions.
/ Mr.. Wilbur declined 10 make any state
ment regarding the trouble.
MR.. FISHER GONE NORTH.
President Fisher left yesterday for tn
North presumably to secure new men 10
the places vacated. He said he would D
away three days. Before he left ho wa
asked by person interested IN the roa'
about the trouble at the shops and re
piled: There is no trouble. Several me-
have quit work, which they had perfec
right to do. and we will get other person
to fill their places
II requires experts 10 fill the positions a
the shops. as the chief work TO be done
to renair the electric machinery. Tn
men are required TO 20 out Of the shops {
any place on the road when n car break
down. Unless new men are secured IN
few days or the former employees return Z
work, which they declare they will not dc
the service on that line will become yer
inefficient, a. the cars are constantly 1
need Of repairs, and there are very few re
serve ones in the sheds.
The cars for the City Railway Line ar
also kept IN repair at tne sneus on Nhui'
Hill. and unless operations are resume
immediately the service on both roads wi
be effected in few days.
NEW CARS PoR THE UNION LINE.
The Richmond Union Passenger-R
way Company has contracted with tt
Edison General Electric Company of Ne
York for the complete equipment OF te
standard cars with motors giving eac
tifteen-hOrse power.
The contract ptice for the cars is S29
900. The Edison Company will furnish a
expert engineer TO supervise the equippin
| of the cars.