Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-09
ANACOSTIA'S STRIKE
No Settlement Yet of the Railroad
Trouble.
HEARING BEFORE TIE COMMISSIONERS
The Road is RoundIy Denounced
by Citizens.
Ing BEFORE TIE COMMISSIONERS
MR.. GRISWOLD'S. POSITION

MIR. GRISWOLD'S. POSITION
There has been no change in the railroad
situation at Anacostia since the time that
The Stars report Of yesterday was closed.
except lat travel in the coaches provided
by the Street galway Union has increas-
ed so much that in order to accommodate
the people it became necessary this morn
Ing to run additional coach. Three
coaches were run yesterday from I am.
to 8 pm, and the receipts. as stated by
some of the managers, were a little in ex-
cess of s25.
There We're a number Of instances, how
ever. where sympathizing riders dropped a
quarter each in the voluntary contribu-
ton" box, and one gentleman deposited 81
cents therein.
Late yesterday afternoon two old drivers
from one of the street railway lines in the
city visited Anacostia, and 1t was under
stood that they were seeking employment.
They were known by some of the strikers
who saw them and who escorted them to
the headquarters Of the latter. in Haines'
Hall, where they were persuaded to return
to the city without trying to carry out
their original intention.
As heretofore announced in The Star.
public meeting of citizens of Anacostia will
be held tonight at the corner of Fillmore
and Harrison streets, for the purpose of
hearing the report of the committee ap-
pointed Saturday night to call on the Dis
trict Commissioners in reference as to
whether the railroad company can be de-
prived OF Its charter for failure to run it's
cars since Saturday last. and to discuss
various matters connected with the strike
A meeting of the directors Of the Ana
costa Railroad Company was held at its
o1hces IN Anacostia this afternoon, and
resolution passed indorsing the action
taken by President Griswold in reference
to the strike.
President Griswold's Position.
Speaking of the strike, the incidents lead
ing up to that event and some of the mat
tiers that haze occurred since Friday last
President Griswold today. in an interview
with a reporter of The Star. said:
THE position of the company lis that il
has paid It's employees all that it could pos
sibly afford. 1t began its service over the
ew line to the city in 1891, with conduc-
tors. drivers and new equipment equal to
that at its start OF any other road in Wash
ington, ana probably better This service
was continued for two years at a loss
trusting that increased receipts would war
rant 1t. They did not. The company was
compelled to take measures to reduce its
expenses. This was done by first taking off
the conductors. The recent hard times ne
cesStated still further reductions which
was done by making pro rata reduction
from the salary of every empIoye, from
president to hill boy.
THE company believed this plan to be
more In the interest of the travelling public
than to take of cars running long dis
tances apart and discharging portion Of
its employees. The desire was to keep as
many men at work for such wages as they
were willing to take. Every employee was
given an opportunity to resign, with a let
ter Of recommendation from the company.
The day previous to the recent tie-up
several Of the men Stated to the super
visor and to the president that the road
would not be tied up whether the company
increased the pay or not. They would be
glad Of the increase but had lived since
October of 1894 on the wages received and
preferred to continue rather than to look
for other work.
ION the morning the road was tied up sew
eral employees whose duties did not begin
until IL o'clock stated after word was re-
ceived that they knew nothing of 1t. If
told to stop they would be compelled to
obey the order. Two of the stablemen left
their work; all Of the others. together with
blacksmiths and car repairers. remained
at their work, and when asked to do so
went out and brought in the cars, and have
since continued at their work, as many of
them as were needed, working alternate
days.
Citizens Support.
''At a citizens meeting there appeared to
be desire not to patronize the road until
1t yielded to request which it is impossible
to grant. Cars cannot be run without pa
tronage by the public. All suburban roads
need most active support.
Rapid Transit.
1.-THE Anacostia road was projected In
1875, for the development of Ana
costa and Southeast Washington. In what
measure 1t has done 80. 1t is apparent or
non-apparent to all who observe. To put
in an underground system would involve
an outlay that would not return l per cent
interest above the expenses of operation, Is
the opinion Of all who have examined into
its feasibility.
mo claim is made that charter cannot
be forfeited by the non-user, but the char
ter Of the company does not contain a
penalty clause, as / understand the law.
The company is ready to operate Its cars,
when 1t can receive the support of it's
patrons, upon business principles and
with all the knowledge 1t has been able to
obtain from nineteen years continued ser
vice, and will be glad to help any of its
employees to better themselves"
Hearing This Morning.
The railroad. with its strikes, bad SER
vice. bob-tailed cars and ghost line branch
was the subject of a hearing before the
Commissioners this morning.
When the board met a committee repro
senting the Anacostia Citizens Associa-
ton was awaiting an audience with the
triumvirate to discuss certain railroad mat
tiers appertainng to the Anacostia rail
road. which has retired from tho public
service because the drivers struck for
wages sufficient to let them live. The COM
mittee. which was composed of Messrs. H
A. Linger j. E. Minnix. George Gray and
III. F. l., Allen, was invited to present. it s
case. Several interested citizens were pres
ent. and they were allowed to be present
and participate IN the discussion. 1t was
learned that President Lawrence Of the
Railroad Union was also present to have
bearing, and 1t was decided to merge the
two hearings and have him present his
case with the Citizens Association COM
n.ittee. President Griswold Of the railroad
company was in the building, but refrained
from participating.
1t was stated that all the Citizens Asso-
citation desired to know was what right the
compsny had to operate bob-tailed cars,