The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-10

constantly, and perhaps often to the discomfort
OF the public, who are entitled to our first con-
alteration
2. The employees claim the compensation paid
Dy the company, "in view Of the limited riding
privileges" az inadequate.
do not grant this. On the contrary, refter-
ate that the wages paid by this company are as
ing, rents, etc.-as thoss paid in any city OF this
country. and greater than paid in most OF the
cities of like rank with Indianapolis.
AS my experience grows L fin0 one injustice,
however. In the scale OF wages paid by this com.
pany, and that is that motormen are not paid
the wages they should receive In my opinion
motOrinen should be paid as much wages as any
OF the car-service men. that s, IL cents per hour
The responsibility OF a motOrman, in my opinion.
Is az great as that OF a conductor. and requires
just as high an order of Intelligence and ei1cl-
ency. | would state to you now that VIII
recommend To the board of directors or this
company that the wages of the motormen be
made II cents per hour, beginning with May i.
My only reason for putting tue time oil 10 that
date is that the business OF the company at pres
ent Is very light, and will probably remain so
until the summer travel begins.
8. In regard 10 the men heretofore discharged,
viz: A. j. smith, conductor; III. ID. smith, driver;
Frank O'Malley, driver; Thomas Riley, driver;
Ell Hendricks, conductor, and William Colin,
dynam0man, have TO say these men were dis
charged for good cause. in my opinion, and that
the company cannot relinquish Its right 10 dis
charge from its employ any man found incOmpe-
tent, or for violating the rules OF the company,
or Ior other proper cause In tho case OF ID u.
there was some doubt about the Offense commit
ted by him. and expressed Willingness TO re-
employ him. am still willing TO do this.
In regard to Frank O'Malley driver, have to
SAY that there is some doubt about his violation
OF the rules for which be was discharged; that
his exceptional industry and fidelity during the
time of employment with this company entities
him TO some consideration. Mr.. OMalley has
been looked upon heretofore as man standing
In the front rank for promotion. In view OF this.
and tho fact that he has pledged himself not to
violate the rules OF the company again, l am
willing to re-empl0y him.
4. There 10 objection made to the present sys-
tenn or wages paid during the time OF probation.
viz:
Drivers on cars with conductors. first six
months, IL cents per hour. Mot0rneers, hrst
four months, 10 cents per hour.
IL Is claimed by the employees that when ex-
tras, or substitutes are given regular runs. they
the same wages as we pay the regular men on
that or similar rum"
. L think that employees are right with refer
ence TO this matter. II the company is willing
20 entrust its cars 10 driver IL Is probably cor
rect to assume that IL does SO because the driver
IL competent, and under such circumstances the
driver should receive the same pay as that or
any other driver III a similar position The same
may be trnthfully said OF motorneers.
am willing TO strike out both OF these pro-
visions mentioned in the scale OF wages which
went into effect Oct. /, 1891
Or course, this does not refer to substitutes.
Substitutes, as / understand It. do not have
charge by themselves OF the running or manag.
ing of any car. They put on cars with old
and competent employees for the purpose or
learning. They are men that have not had any
experience whatever in the business, and hence
are not entitled 10 be regarded as employees while
learning the business. During the time or such
learning they are not entitled and will not re-
ceive any pay.
5. Under the rules and regulations of this
ant superintendent, who has the right to dis.
charge car-service employees. The right to ap.
peal from his decision to that of the head of
ha has haan W
denied. TX ono OF our car-service men Is dls-
charged or suspended. he shall have the right
to appeal to the head or the company ana be
entitled to full and fair hearing. Under the
present organization of the company he shall
not be denied the right to state his case to me.
and II. upon investigation. it - found that he
has been wrongfully discharged or suspended,
he will be allowed pay, according to his posi-
ton, for all time lost.
entail the loss OF property exceeding 800
should not be punishable By discharge unless re-
peated by negligence Of employee"
This, of course, L cannot cOncede. The right
to formulate the rules and regulations of the
company can only be with the company.
8. You state "the rules of the company now
allow promotions in car service TO be made with
out reference TO circumstances" Our rules do
not make any provision with reference to pro-
motions, and this is proper. Promotions should
not be made with reference to any rigid rules.
Other considerations should govern, such as
character. habits, times of service. fidelity to
duty. efficiency, etc. SO far as understand the
practice OF this company, men have been pro-
NOTED with reference to these conditions. These
conditions alone should govern, not because O
man is Of a certain creed, political party, or be-
cause he belongs to any organization Of what
ever nature. cannot consent to any change in
our present practice.
z. You state, during the late troubles many
nOn-uniOn men were hired by the company for
the purpose OF filing the places OF strikes, and
with a full knowledge that they were hired for
such purpose. They are thus scabs In spirit and
Intention"
It is true that men were hired during the time
of the late strike, and this was proper. There
was no certainty or guarantee that the men that
had gone out on strike would ever return to the
employ OF the company. and 1t was necessary,
TN order that the public might not suffer. that
new men should be employed Care was taken
in the selection OF these men, and they we're re-
Quired To furnish the same certificate OF char
acter and habits that each of our employees did
before entering the service Of the company.
They were not asked II they were OF any creed,
political party, or organization or any kind.
Neither were any OF our employees at the time OF
their employment.
You ask that these men he discharged and not
re-employed until they first Join the brotherhood
This the company cannot cOncede. As l have
ing employment are proof of good character and
habits and promise of fidelity and efficiency.
The law imposes upon the company the duty
OF taking and keeping in its car service only
competent efficient and courteous employees.
The public is vitality interested in the perform.
ance Of this duty. It can only be performed by
the company at all times retaining exclusive
control OF the subject and, therefore. 10 cannot
agree TO delegate to or share with others its re-
sponsibility In this respect.
8. You ask that "ne offenses should be pun
fshed by tines, but suspension or discharge should
substitute all penalties"
To this agree. J.P. FRENzEL,
President Citizens Street-railroad Company.