Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-20
MACHINISTS STRIKE.
A NUMBER OF MEN GO OUT AT THE
RICHMOND LOCOMoTNE-WORks.
Workmen Object to Laborer Being Put
In Charge OF q Machine and the
Company Assert Their Rights.

Nearly one hundred and fifty machinists
employed at the Richmond Locomotive
and Machine-Works went out on strike
at half-past o'clock Yesterday afternoon.
The apprentices, about twenty-five IN
number, also quit work, but the managers
were left under the impression that these,
or most of them, will be back at their
places this morning. The strikers are
firm In the belief, however, that the ap-
prentice-boys will also remain out.
The trouble does not involve the question
Of wages, the sole point of contention being
whether unskIlled men shall be placed IN
certain positions in the maohine-shops In
which skilled operatives are usually en-
ployed.
A man was changed from one machine to
another and the machinists claimed that
be was not full l-fedged iourneyman and
they objected to his working there.
The management refused to allow the
machinists to dictate TO them in such mat
tiers, claiming the right to say who should
work on their machines and who should
not.
This in brief is the story.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
This strike is the outgrowth of contro-
yersy that arose more than six months ago,
but which since the summer or fall has
been quieted. About the time mentioned
the employees through a committee ap--
preached the management and protested
against giving TO what they called labor
ers such places as in their Judgment should
be filled by trained men. The matter was
amicably adjusted, and il is SAID had not
been reopened until the present time.
In the machine-shops are employed some
one hundred and fifty or more machlnlsts,
about twenty-five apprentices, and a num-
ber of laborers and men who have neverper-
fected themselves in trade. There are
several departments in this section OF the
plant. though the lines between them are
not strictly defined. as operatives work one
day in one part of the establishment and
another day in some other. One division
is known as the erecting department, an
other as the stationary, third the loco
motive, and the fourth the marine depart
ment
Mr.. f. d. Seal is the general foreman of
the shop, and is next in authority to the
general manager, Mr.. Davis.
DID NOT WANT him THERE.
Not long after operations had begun
yesterday morning Mr.. W. h; Hanstord
was put in charge of an anxle-lathe. lie
bad been running another machine, but
finished all the work of that character
needed for the time being.
When the change was made the appren-
tices raised objection, in which they were
sustained by the machinists. who took the
position that giving Mr. HansfOrd this
work TO do was an imposition to the youths
learning their trade and to the machinists
themselves.
After general conference il was decided
toappuint committee TO wait on the proper
Official and ask that Mr.. Hansford be as
signed 10 some other duty. The manage
ment declined 10 accede to this request,
and as stated in the beginning the ma
chinlsts quit work.
WHAT THE STRIKERS SAY.
Three Of the strikers, all men Of intelli-
gence. were seen by representative OF the
DIsP1TCH, and from them their side OF
the affair was obtained. They character
lied the action of the company as the in
PRODUCTION of the "scab-labor system.
and insist that, as members of trade, to
master which they had TO serve several
years. thev cannot feel that ii is right 70
continue at work when a seeming prefer
ence is given to unskilled men. These
young men receive about $3.50 per day
each. and there are few who do piece
work and make SO or more per day. Ihe
laborers in the shop are paid Sl.25, and
the more experienced men OF even grade
with Mr. Hansford get Sl.75.
TIE strikers seem firm IN their deter
rpiuation not TO return to work unless
what they regard as a grievance is righted:
They created no disorder whatever, and
saw that unless matters are amicably adj
iusted here most of them Will 60 TO Phlla-
delphia, where such workmen are in great
demand. With them this is purely a shop
affair. and they acted without having
brought the matter to the attention OF the
Richmond branch OF their union, to which
about two thirds of the men who struck
belong.
THE OTHER SIDE.
General-Manager Davis was also called
upon last night by a DISPATCH man and
eskod to give the company's side OF the
case. He expressed desire not to speak
AT any length upon the subject, as he
hoped the breach might be speedily healed.
He did not regard all of the men who quit
work as actually strikers. but said he be-
Geyed some, if not most OF them, would
be back at work to-day, and hoped that
matters could be so adjusted that all would
soon be baJk in their places. Their action,
he SAID, was sudden and unexpected to
him, and he thought the operatives would;
upon reflection, realize Jnat Jney nhu
taken step without giving it the conside-
ration that they should, perhaps, have
done.
The company regretted very much hay.
ing any such trouble, but felt that it was
their right and not that Of their employees
TO say who should operate their machines.
He did not look upon the action of the ap-
prentices as o strike at all. but from the
assurance given by them expected them
oil TO be at their posts this morning.
These, he said. came into the office after the
strike and stated that they did not intend
TO leave the works. but as the machlnlsts
had acted on their account they felt 1t 70
be their duty TO consult their parents be
fore re-entering the shops. In this Mr.
Davis concurred.
THE TEXAS MACHINERY.
In the marine section of this shop the
boilers for the battle.hip Texas are being
built. The work on these is done by the
machinists, who are also employed in the
other departments, the only difference be-
ing that none except skilled men take any
part in the construction of the ship ma
chinery