The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-21
ANGRY MOTORMEN.
The San Mateo Railroads
Methods.
The Employees Say They Can't Get
Their Wages, and the Directorate
Claims Spite Work.

There are mutterings of discon tent among
the conductors and mOtermen who operate
Mr.. JoOst's San Francisco and San Mateo
electric road.
1t is all on account OF the company's fall
ure 10 pay salaries, the men say, and if
things are not fixed up in a few days there
is prospect of general strike ana tie-up.
I'VE have not been paid for the last four
weeks" said one conductor TO CALL man,
who was getting the mems sentiments on
the subject last night. The action of our
employers has been despicabl Tin the ex-
treme.
They have resorted to all sort of tricks TO
get out OF paying US and at the same time
give the public the false impression that
every hing is all right.
when we make application for wages
to Secretary Smith we are referred to the
treasurer, and he in turn sends us over to
the superintendent, each cutting off an
Item here or there in such way as 10 re-
duce the amou mt due us often one-half.
For the past two weeks we have not
been paid at all, and for two weeks prev-
Gus 10 that only part payments were ac-
corded u.s.
"Only the other day Secretary Smith tried
to bluff one of us out of S1S-his deposit
with the company = but when the man
threatened TO chuck him out of the window
unless his money was turned over right off
without word.
I'VE are not making any noise about it,
but are simply waiting to see whether the
company intends to come around and treat
us fairly, or whether they are playing a
skin game on us.
'lf they are, you viii find that we are
working together, and are able to make 1t
hot for them.'
OF the six or seven different employees
spoken TO on the subject all repeated the
sentiments of the one just quoted. and all
stated that they were being cheated out Of
part of their weekly salaries right along.
Those who do extra work after they have
completed their regular runs when their
bills are handed in are refused payment for
such labor, and no reason given, say the
men. Besides this they have been officially
notified that any one who quits work on his
own account for the present will have to
forfeit his deposit.
In communication addressed to the pub
lie through the columns of The CALL the
employees say:
1--WE have stood enough of the secretary's
taffy already, and il the company does not
come to terms in few days we will aban-
don our positions"
Wien seen by reporter and asked for
his version of the affair President Joost
said:
These complaints and threats are the
result of spite on the part OF certain en-
ployes recently discharged by the company.
They don't bother us In the least.
why. even il all the men now Mt work
struck we could get hundreds to fill their
places In a day.
"As 10 the complaints of extra work not
being paid for, that is all false and arose
from the fact that we have lately had men
at work to audit and look into the bills
presented by the men.
Formerly they simply handed In their
claims and were paid ffhand, and in eonse-
quence the company was cheated out OF a
lot OF money. Now we have got two
clerks at work to detect any overeharges
THE men were all paid up regularly and
there can be no occasion for any trouble.
Il believe that there are certain parties at
work trying In every possible way to ruin
this company.
Ever since it started they have been
picking away at it, and it seems apparent
TO me that this affair is only one Of the
means employed.
Our competition certainly Injuries many
OF the cable roads and IL would be good
thing Tor them II we were done away with.
There is no question about tie financial
| success OF our enterprise, as any one can
| see who looks at the overcr0wded cars we
| run"
When asked as to the reported trouble
between the electric road and the Thorn
SON. II custom Supply Company, Mr.. Joost
| replied that that matter had all been dis
| posed OF and settled satisfactorily"
Meanwhile, the motormen and conductors
| go On quietly about their business, aud
patiently await developments.