The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-09
THE ELECTRIC RAILWAY.
GRIEVANCES OF CONDUCTORS
AND MOTOR MEN.

Conference Of Employees and Of the Cen
eral Manager Captain suiiivan's Es-
pIanatIon-An Interesting Debate All
Around.
The conductors and motor men Of the
Electric Line Street Railway, have felt for
sometime that they were badly treated by
the Richmond Passenger Union Railway
Company. A meeting was held sometime
ago. when these grievances were ventilated.
shortly. afterward, Captain Sullivan
conductor. and Mr.. Gordon who acted as
secretary of the meeting. were discharged
by Superintendent Traylor. Then the motor
men and conductors became fred 10 some
extent, and IL was decided 10 ask Mr~G. +.
Fisher, general manage offT5e company, to
last night was agreed upon as the time.
and Mr.. Fisher came over % the Office or
the company about 9 O'Clock and met a
committee Of the car men. Mr. II. VI.
smith. Jr., and James {. Lamb were on
hand 70 speak for the motor men and con-
ductOrs. Mr.. Fisher gave respectful ear %
scented the case. lie said that he was not
present IN his capacity Of attorney-at-law,
but simply as "a friend Of the employees OF
the car company. and he was satisfied that
hr. Fisher would see the justice Of the
claims that the men would present before
him.
TIKI EMPLOYEES PLEA.
lie then read the following report Of a
special committee.
Mr. Fisher, General Manager, r. L. z. r.
r. Co.:
Dear Sir-Ihc undersigned, motor men
and conductors in the employ Of your road.
respectfully represent 10 YOU the following
statement of facts, which, in their opinion,
occasions Just cause Of complaint, which,
they are advised, YOU are the-Woper person
% remedy:
Isl Our employment is such that our en-
tire time is taken up, and il is impossible
for as 10 engagein other business or employ
ment, and our wages are too small for US 10
live on.
ID Because Of our meeting together for
the consideration Of this question TWO Of
our number, j. i. Sullivan and X. l.. Cor
don. were discharged.
We respectfully suggest, in view Of the
above. that we be paid by the day, and not
latter is largely dependent upon matters
over which we have no control. Weask for
days work and days pay.
We respectfully ask that Captain Sulli-
van and Mr. Gordon be reinstated, as they
have been guilty Of no disObedience Of
orders or violation OF orders.
We submit this paper, not with any inten-
ton Of debating 10 YOU the management of
the company, but IN order 20 bring 10 your
knowledge a state Of facts Of which possibly
YOU are not aware. We are interested in
the success Of this company, and have done.
and Will do, all in orr power TO render the
public efficient service. Very respectfully,
q. w. Montague, chairman Of the commit
tee. Signed also by fifteen other committee
men. twenty-One motor meh and twenty-five
conductors.
CAPTAIN SULLIVAN EXPLAINS.
Captain Sullivan took the floor 10 explain
the details rs set forth in the document
above, and Mr.. Harry Smith said that the
nth Of the matter was shown in this, that
theimen wanted 70 work day and make a
days pay.
Mr.. Traylor claimed that he had moi So
licited my man to work for the company.
lie told them when they came 10 him that
il they could make living out Of the job %
20 To work.
''That is all bosh, Mr. Traylor," said Mr..
smith. "lhcre is no use i'm your talking
that way 10 sensible men," and then Mr.
smith called upon a number of the carmen.
who came forward, 10 show that they had
reported for duty. but, by no reason OF their
own, but by reason Of cars breaking down,
or something Of that sort, had been kept
from their pay.
QUERIES AND ANsWERs.
Mr.. TravlOr was asked by Mr. smith why
Mr. Gordon and Captain Sullivan were dis
charged.
Mr.. Traylor said for disobedience Of or
ners.
NV as il not for participating in a meet
ing where the operatives discussed matters
Of grievance against the company retorted
Mr.. smith.
81 decline 10 answer" said Mr.. Traylor. |
Captain sullivan denied that he had ever
disobeyed orders or violated duty, and 1lr.
Gordon substantiated this.
DOING ITS BEST.
From the books, as shown in the Office Of
the company, and reported by Captain
Andrew Pizaini. it was clear that only eight
per cent of time lost for the week ending
February g, 1890. Mr.. Fisher promised %
look into all these questions and confer with
the New York authorities of the road.
Captain iizzini, i'm replying 10 some Of
the statements said that the company was
doing its best for the public and for AN its
employees. and that it was fact that 10 was
losing money daily under present circum-
stances. just as soon as the company
could do so, all complaint of every Kind
would DE removed.
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Barton's Grand Central Theatre.
IL is seldom | attend a variety theatre: