The record-union., 1894-02-03
STREET RAILWAY RUMOR.
The Truth Puts Dame Rumor to Flight
Facts of the Case.

The Truth Puts Dame Rumor to Flight
Facts of the Case.
A fortnight before the new company
took possession of the Electric Street
Railway lines, stories were heard here
and there that there would be radical
changes in the matter of the crews of the
cars. 1t was said that three men to a car
would be required to do the work now
done by four, which would lengthen the
hours and every day shift the men about
so that he who went on duty at SOP A. NJ.
would work until II noon, and then rest
until $50 P. NJ. and 60 on until 1880 P. NJ,
But the next day he would not go on
until II noon, and so on around
1t was also said that wages were to be
cut and general reduction effected all
around, in order to enable the company
to introduce new cars and other equip
ment at the expense of the employees.
Later still, when the company took
charge. the story went around that the
conductors and motormen had appealed
to their union, that meetings have been
held and the whole situation discussed,
and the resolution arrived at to resist any
cut of wages or any increase of hours.
II may be that meetings have been held
and the matter discussed, but if so it was
premature and without the approval of
all the employees.
A RECORD UNION reporter asked the
conductor OF one of the cars last night if
there was any dissatisfaction among the
employees of the road, or if it were true
that there had been any talk of strike.
mo truth in it, whatever" he replied.
''There is perfect harmony between the
company and the men, and everything
is going on smoothly under Mr.. Kings
bury's management. l can't understand
how any employe of the company could
say otherwise"
''Yes," broke in the motorman, ''and
what's more, it wouldn't he safe thing
for any employe who told such yarn as
was published this evening if he should
be found out. A story of that kind could
only have the effect of creating distrust
on the part of our employers, and there's
no need of it, for we are all getting along
nicely as 1t is"
In search for the facts of the case L. 7.
Hatfield, attorney for the new company,
was found entirely ready to satisfy curl
osity. lie said there was no trouble with
the employees. The company did intend
to make more efficient the service and to
introduce improvements from time to
time, and as rapidly as business discre-
| ton permits.
For instance, heavier rails will DE laid
on j street, and the iron for that purpose
| has arrived. The company has long had
ready the new rails for the outside extern
| sions and cross lines. AS fast as can be
| done on the business of the company i'm
provements in cars and general equip
ment will be introduced.
| The rumors that had been put ahoat
were probably the outgrowth of busy
| bodies who in every community stand
ready to foster strife between employers
and employees, for diligent search has
| failed to reveal to US any reliable source
! for the stories. Mr.. Hatfield himself was
unable to say where or how they had
originated. No notices had been served
and not word of intimatlon given out of
any intention to cut and reduce
| All that there was in it related to the
| Third-street line, which is non-paying,
| though it serves as a feeder and an ac-
commodation to the public. On that line,
which has but five minutes trip run,
| the force of four is to be reduced to three,
| but for the overtime thus created the
men are to be paid by the hour extra.
| They had not complained about it, and it
| is but temporary arrangement anyhow,
| for when, as will very soon come about,
| the Third-street line is swung into the
general system as through line, the
crews of the cars on that line will be uni
form with all the others In all things.
| The company. he said, is satisfied with
the men working for it, and it has no rea-
son to believe that there is any dissatis-
faction among the men with the COM
pany. No changes in the service were
contemplated as TO hours of labor or COM
pensatIon that will reduce the mems
earnings.
| The company would be foolish, he