Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-14

PASSENGER SERVICES:
Average DAYS work per month. 2s.7 days.
Average miles run per day. 17 miles.
Average hours work per day. hrs. IS
nins.
Average wages per day, $202
Average wages per month. $500.
THROuGH-FREIGHT SERVICE:
Average days worked per month. 26.5
days.
Average hours worked per day. hrs.
80 Minis.
Average wages per day, 2.25.
Average wages per month. S6D05.
LOCAL~FREIGHT SERVICE.
Average days worked per month, cG.4
DAYS.
Average miles run per day. ?2.5 miles.
Average hours worked per day, 10 hrs,
20 Minis.
Average wages per day, $50.
Average wages per month, 1905.
CONDUCTORS.
PASSENGER SERVICE:
Averaged days worked per month.
"a days.
Average miles run per day. ls5 miles.
Average hours worked per day, hrs,
10 minis.
Average wages per day. 1929
Average wages per month. s90.lo.'
THROUGH-FREIGHT SERVICE:
Average days worked per month.
241 days.
Average miles run per day. 10 miles.
Averaged hours worked per day, 3 hrs,
- minutes.
Average wages per day. Sis.
Average wages per month. 1851.
IOCALFREIGHT SERVICE:
Average days worked per month.
254 days
Average miles run per day, 81 miles.
Average hours worked per day, 10 hrs,
A. minis.
Average wages per day, 500.
Average wages per month, $3.50.
BRAKEMEN AND FLAGMEN.
PASSENGER SERVICE:
Average days worked per month,
pa days.
Average miles run per day. 195 miles.
Average hours worked per day, Z hrs,
10 Minis.
Average wages per day. sl.53.
Average wages per month, si2
THROUGH FREIGHT SERVICE:
Average days worked per month,
PAL days.
Average miles run per day 125 miles.
Average hours worked per day, hrs,
- Minis.
Average wages per day. sl.59.
Average wages per month. $3.50.
LOCAL-FRElGHT SERVICE:
Average days worked per month,
% days.
Average miles run per day, % miles.
Average hours worked per day. 10 hrs,
70 minutes.
Average wages per day. Sl.52.
Average wages per month. S3s65.
You have the benefit of a constant i'm
provement In locomotives and cars; add
tiona safety appliances in couplers.
brakes. and signals. and of more and
better terminal and track facilities. which
render your work less arduous and less
hazardous While these improvements
involve great expense TO the railways,
and have been adopted for your safety.
they have involved no decrease In your
compensation, but have materially short
ened your average hours of labor on the
road.
This general statement OF facts and OF
the economic conditions affecting the pro-
perties. and OF the practical results to
you. is submitted in order that you may
thoroughly understand the position oi
the company in this matter. which is &c
important TO you, and to IL.
1t would be difficult to make all o.
this clear by verbal statements, Printed
copies OF this statement and of the
schedules will, therefore, be handed "a
you for consideration, with the hope
that YOU will recognize the force and
fairness OF the reasons given for the
ccmpauys preser: inability TO make the
Increases In the rates of pay which you
ask.
You have before you the evidence of the
great decline in the companys busi-
ness its smaller revenue both gross and
net. and the diminished freight and
passenger for the last several years
the general depression existing in al
branches of industry In the South, and the
consequent curtailment OF the earning
power of all individuals and corporations
and of the fact that amid this shrinkage
which is almost universal. you have born,
a smaller proportionate reduction than
any other class engaged In Industrial pur'
suits.
From this depression and shrinkagc
nothing has been exempt. Every com
modify has felt II. and the purchasing
power OF the wages under the new
schedules is greater now than was thai
OF the wages received under the old.
Moreover, the position Of other en-
poyees of the company must be consid-
cred. They have equal claims with you
for an increase to the former basis OF
pay Many of them. in the organization
OF the new company. accepted positions
at an agreed compensation. with no ex-
pectation Of increase. varying from 70
per cent. to ~ per cent less than they
were receiving when the general reduction
was made
Manifestly. II would be unjust for the
company to increase the rates of pay for
some classes and not for all. A general
increase of expenses is out OF the ques-
tion except in the event OF a general
continuous, and considerable increase II
earnings.
The successful reorganization OF the
several properties composing the system
and the establishment OF new company
upon a solvent basis. does not indicate
any increased power to pay wages OF
other items OF operating expense. These
must be paid from earnings. and. as al
ready shown. the earnings have not I'M
proved. except for a short period, and
then only as compared with the worst
year in the history of the roads. They
have not increased at all-in fact have
decreased-as compared with the year i'm
mediately preceding the reductions III
wages: while. in 1891 the year In whicf
the old rates OF pay were established
the gross earnings were more than
per cent greater than in 1894. The re-
organization has resulted in solvencs
only, not wealth TO the new company. lc
prosperity has still TO be worked out, anc
| IL is as much 10 the interest OF the EN-
ployees as of the owners that 1t should
| be worked out successfully. That TIL:
will be done seems reasonably assured
| but prudence and economy are necessary
| factors in the accomplishment of such {
| result.
The resources provided for the ne"
| company through reorganization are FOL
permanent improvements only, such a.
| better road-bed. appliances for greater
safety and speed, and more and bette
| eouIpment. These, IL Is hoped, Will re
| suit I'm increased business and In In
creased benefits for those engaged In trair
| service
Except In respect to the effects OF thes
| improyements when made, the compan,
must earn its revenues practically unde
| the same conditions as before reorgani
cation, and upon its ability to earn de
ponds its ability TO pay.
AS the old schedules required notice
OF at least sixty days prior 10 the making
| of any change In rates or rules by eithe
party. and as the company desires, II
Justice TO you. to comply with the term
OF those agreements. although they wer
| r,ada NV companlas no longer In posses