Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-05-11
SUNDAY WITHOUT CARS
The Strikers Remain Quiet at Their
Homes.
STATEMENT MADE By THE COMPANY
So Formal D~maad - Mads by the Men
Atritads OF the csmpasy-Conmittes
Of strikers Appointed 10 Ssa-
fer W ith the Company.

Not street ear was moved yester-
day. The strikers retired 10 their homes
after the meeting closed sunday morn
lag, and tired from their previous day s
work and their all-nighI meeting, were
only too glad to he in bed. with little
concern as 10 what the outcome OF the
strike would DC. The majority of the
men therefore remained at home, but
small squads, detailed for the purpose.
were on hand at the barns when II was
time 10 start the hrst cars The barn
men fed and groomed the horses as
usual. and while n0minally with the
strikers, continued 10 discharge the
duties of their positions IN SO lar As to
provide fov the ANIMALS IN the stables.
The men detailed for the purpose as
senibled at the Hail, Cherry, Canal
and Scribner-st. harms and at the
power house on the aill. They talked
among themselves IN earnest tones. but
offered neither TO man the cars nor
interfere with the cOmpany's property.
10 fact, there was no occasion for inter-
ference, for the company made no at
by the company was not unexpected
for the men had made no preparation
70 resist such an attempt. After an
hour or more had elapsed the men at
the various starting places separated
and returned 10 their homes or To the
headquarters of the strike committee,
To report the status of affairs. The barns
were practically deserted all day al
though the strikers III tvo's, three's and
larger groups visited the vicinity 1T IN
teryals, chatted with the barn atten-
dants pleasantly and then moved away
again.
Action of the Company.
The officers of the company evidently
understood what the outcome of the
meeting would be, for before 1t adj
loarned special guards were stationed
At the barns, the power-house OF the
cable company and at other points
where the companys property might
be exposed To danger, IL an attempt at
violence or destruction was made.
This precautlon was unnecessary, for
the men displayed no desire To resort to
violence. In the morning the demands
of the men were read IN the TELEGRAM
HERALD and ameeting of the company S
officials called to consider the same.
The officials renamed IN session behind
closed doors for the whole day, with
adjournmeats only for lunch and din
ner. At 8 o'clock last night one OF the
officers appeared at the efoot of the stairs
leading To the offices and, politely de-
Ginning to be interviewed, entered a
carriage and was rapidly driven away.
during the day the strikers rendez-
A I'll
awaiting the invitation of the company
to confer, but no such invitation was
extended up till 5 O'Clock, and so the
men spent the day IN discussing the
situation aud taking q much-needed
and appreciated rest.
The Offensive Contract
full text of the contract, consti-
tuting one Of the mems grievances, is
as follows:
The undersigned having entered the
employ OF the Valley City Street and
Cable Company, q corporation, does, in
consideration of such employment,
hereby agree to and With such corpora
ton, that during the entire period of
such employment, whatever the nature
of the same, days work snail not be
limited 10 ten hours, but shall CONSIST
Of 80 much time each day as the neces-
sties or conyenlences of the business
OF said corporation may seem to require,
in the judgment of the proper officers.
superlntendents aud foremen thereof;
and IN case such days work shall at
any time exceed ten hours. / agree to
perform the same faithfully and
promptly, for the wages agreed upon,
as the case may be; and | do hereby
waive any and all benefit, which
might otherwise derive from the pro-
visions OF act i37 of the Legislatures of
the state of Michigan of 1885. lentitled
an act making ten hours a legal days
work. } approved June 5. 1885. or for
any amendments or additions thereto
that may hereafter be passed.
The foregoing aud following agree
ment IA understood to be part of the
contract of employment, and IS subject
to no understanding. condition or mod
Itication. verbal. parole or written; and
relates 20 work already performed, as
well as 10 work hereafter to be per-
formed. il being expressly agreed and
admitted that all prior employment
and service will be subject TO the ike
conditions aud stipulation.
Aud il Is further agreed that no sum
for my labor until the regular payday
of said corporation, the next following
the performance of such labor. and no
demand for payment shall at any time
operate to make any such sum due and
payable prior 20 such payday as afore-
aud.
And Il il stIll further agreed, that I
will allow and authorize 10 be taken
out of my pay any damage for injury
caused by my carelessness 20 the com
pany's property; or % the property of
any one else for which the company
Inay De liable.
And 10 = further agreed. that il any
wages or monies due or 10 BECOME due
TO me from said company shall he gar
risheed or levied upon IN The hands OF
said company. the latter shall have
lien on sacn wages or monies. and such
as hereafter shall become due for all
Gusts. attorney fees. expe nses or other
charges aud 4 disbursements that sad
CON psny shall III auy way be pat 20,
About. or in connection with such gar
nlshment. snd TINS lien shall be prior
and paramount 20 any assignment by
aud 30 any punishment. len OF other
claim Whatsoever.
Place Ct employment t.......................
Wages : <.....-.4s
Grsnd Rap,as. Nch~ ~..,...-.....ff- =
rs~ es~psny'. ststsus~-t.
Ateo'cioek . reporter called ~ tbe