The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-19
PRESENT THE GRIEVANCES.
PRESIDENT FISHER AND The
STREET-cAR EMPLOYEES.

Al Last they Meet and Discuss the Con-
dition OF the motormen and Conduct
ors. who Want shorter Hours and
More Pay.
As was reported In TIKI TIMEs OF last
Tuesday, a'committee, composed OF street
car drivers, conductors. and motor-men
from the Motormens' Union, waited on Mr.
Fisher, the general manager Of the roads,
Monday night to present their grievances.
The men were represented by Messrs. H.
N. Smith, Preston Belvin, and William ,.
Gum, and the conference between them
and Mr.. Fisher was held in a room apart
from the committee. This they thought
unfair, and determined 10 meet Mr.. Fisher
face to face and tell him in their own words
their troubles and hear without the aid OF
proxy what he had 10 say.
In accordance with that determination o
meeting was agreed upon betweeS the
committee and Mr.. Fisher, 10 Ice held last
night at $50 at the car sheds, Twenty
ninth and Y streets. The men were there
in waiting, when at the appointed time
Mr.. Fisher reached the place.
MEET MIR. FISHER.
The men were invited into the Office aud
politely greeted by Mr.. Fisher. The men
arranged themselves around the little ONCE,
hats in hand, and Mr. Fisher, after remoy-
ing bis hat, took "A seat on one OF the tables
by the side Of THE TINES reporter. lie
said: "Well, ] would like TO have you state
your troubles"
President DOdd, OF the Union, acting rs
spokesman, said that the men found the
hours 30 long that IL was impossible iOl
them 70 stand them. That the exposure u
the weather was so great that the health Of
nearly all ofthem was being impaired, and
that many OF them were on duty grea'
part Of the time from the effects OF cold.
Mr.. Fisher asked them whether they
were willing 20 work shorter hours at the
same rate per hour, or whether they were
asking for an increase Of pay.
The reply was that while unable 10 worn
for such a length Of time each day. they
were equally unable 10 live Ga the amount
they would receive for nine hours work al
the same rate per hour
The matter relative to the amounts they
were receiving now and the former wages
of the men W. re discussed at some length
by each side, Mr.. Fisher holding that they
were making more money now per hOul
than ever before, while the men argued Z
the contrary.
sTREET-CAR TALK.
However, with the talk Of ''long shifts
and "short shifts" "regulars' and Tex
trss," "through men" and especial men,
and the difference in the pay Of the severa
classes, IL was question calculated e
cause much confusion.
The men bad drawn up. however, the fol
lowing statements 10 which Mr.. Fisher dis
sents
e.r--.o. - 90 oo,,,o,,. Mctorunop foi
twelve hours. 81 pr: Is 9-12c. per hour
Conductors for twelve hours, Sl.76; Ia 7-l2c
per hour. Motorman for ten hours SIX
17l<c. per hour. Conductors for ten hours
s1.25; l21Sc. per hour.
Present pay Of carmen: MotOrman fOi
twelve hours, 81 so 15c. per hour. COnduc
tor for twelve hours, si.6g l215c per hour.
Difference in favor Of company for motor
man twelve hours, 45c. Difference in favor
OF company for conductor twelve hours
% cents.
To the direct question from Mr.. Fisher
Mr.. Dodd stated that the leas, the mel
would work for was $l.jO per day for motor
men and 81 20 for conductors.
Mr.. Fisher said he did not believe that
majority Of the men wanted any change OF
were dissatisfied, but that he thought ,
nine-hour system could be arranged, bu
that he was almost sure IL would have 10 b'
at the same rate per hour.
THE EXPOSURE.
One of the men stated that the exposure
was much worse ON the electric line than Ol
the hOrse-car lines, aud told how Mao
Bolton, who was the first manager of th
road, had provided for their wants. Mr.
Fisher suggested that IL would have been
good idea for their ex-mauager 10 have pen
stoned them before leaving the road. H
said that he was doing harder work ant
drawing less pay than any OF the men pres
ent.
To this one Of the committee remarke,
that il he could draw his salary (Mr
Fisher's) for twelve months he would retire
In the discussion of the number Of hour
the men work one Of the committee oflereC
Mr.. Fisher bet OF new hat, but the re
mark was not noticed.
He told the committee that he would b.
glad 10 change places with any man on thl
road aud that II this moderate climate hur
them they must have the rheumatism.
MIR. Fisher said that there were hundred
OF men In Richmond anxious for position
on the line, and that he did not ask an,
man TO work tor them who was dissatisfied
One OF the men replied: But YOU VIII hu'
that IL is not what il is cracked up to be u
run the line with new men,"
They told MIR. Fisher that they ha'
waited two months TO see him, and tha
they expected a final decision from him
He told them that it would be impossible
for him TO act while MIR. Selden was sick.
While he treated them with the utmCs
courtesy ana listened patiently 70 them 70
over an hour, he gave them no encourage
ment, except 10 say that he would mee
them again and discuss the matter NOR
fully after Mr.. Selden recovered.
After leaving the office the men express
cd considerable indignation at being agai
put of. They say "they are tired of bein
shuttle-cOcked from Fisher 10 Selden, an
from Selden % Fisher" Nothing nor
will be done now until they can meet Mr.
Fisher and Mr.. Selden together.