Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-19
Grievances Of Metropolitan Conduc-
tors Under Consideration.
PROPOSITIONS TO PRESIDENT PHILLIPS
Some Changes That the Men
Would Like to Have Made.
THE PROTECTIVE UNION


conductors. 1t was not expected today
that a strike would be ordered, as the men
were hopeful Of securing what they asked
without resort to such means. A special
meeting of the union was called for this
morning at their headquarters, No. 314 Sth
street northwest, and large number of
the members assembled, but recess was
taken until this afternoon, go that many
men unable to be present at the morning
meeting might take part in the discussion.
1t is understood that the principal sub
ject before the union outside Of grievances
of the employees of the Metropolitan Rail-
way Company will be the consideration of
a proposition to unite with either the
American Federation of Labor or Knights
OF Labor.
A Star reporter today who talked with a
lumber of conductors on the Metropolitan
line was informed that it is the opinion of
the majority of the members of the union
that the time has come for the Washington
organization to become affiliated with ma
tional body, but that they would regard
strike at this time, presuming that the
Street Railway Union is admitted at once
into the American Federation of Labor or
knights of Labor, as in bad taste, as it
would look as though they sought admis-
sion to the higher body simply for the pur-
pose of getting money from it to support a
strike.
Propositions for President Phillips.
President Phillips of the Metropolitan line
will, it is understood, be asked to make the
following changes in the present running
arrangements of his lines:
1. To have transfer agent stationed at
the corner Of 9th street and New York
avenue, as, the conductors claim, 1T is SIM
ply matter Of physical impossibility for
them during certain hours of the day to
collect the fares and give transfers to peo-
pie who get on at F street and want to
change to the Columbia cars at New York
avenue.
2. To rearrange the schedule SO that the
men will be compelled to work but ten
hours each, this being the plan in vogue on
the Washington and Georgetown rail-
road. where 1t gives general satisfac-
ton. 1t Is true, the Metropolitan men do
not so much object to the number Of hours
they work as to the hard labor that is re-
quired to successfully handle the crowds
and run on the schedule laid out for the
trains Of the 9th street line: but they think
that it would be much better for all con-
cerned II none of the men on the cars was
required to labor more than ten hours.
B. To do away with swingmen, as their
any other o., the employees of the road. and
provide for them under the ten-hour sched-
ule, which, 1t is believed, could easily be
done.
A Statement by Mr.. Phillips.
President Phillips. when seen today at the
company's Office in Georgetown by Star re-
porter, stated that he would not be able to
accept the invitation of the Railway Union
to attend its meeting tonight, on account
of previous engagements.
Continuing, President Phillips said:
Since have been at the head of the
Metropolitan Railway Company 1 have en-
deavored to treat the conductors and driv-
ers OF the line as men, and with absolute
justice and kindness. and there has been no
reasonable request made by them that has
not been granted by me.
when 1 took charge of the affairs Of the
company as Its president I found the
finances OF the company in a most de-
plorable condition, and as any safe and
prudent business man would do, decided
that the salaries of the officers and wages
of the men would have to be reduced, COM
mencing with my own salary. which cut
5000.
THE conductors and drivers learned
what was in contemplation. and. as is well
known, struck. committee Of The men
waited on me. and after talking over the
matter the committee decided that the men
should accept $1.15 a day. 1t was sug-
gestcd that perhaps times would get bet
ter, and l replied that If that should oc-
cur in the near future the wages of the
men should not be touched.
Soon after this Congress assembled, and
1t was soon seen that the receipts Of the
company were increasing. and. conse-
quently. the pay Of the men was not cut
down. as had been agreed upon, and they
are still getting s. per day. as they did
before the strike.
the men fairly and justly. and whom
charges have been preferred against a con-
ductor or driver either by outside parties
or an officer Of the company, the party
making the charge has been required to
meet the conductor or driver and prove his
allegation. and failing to do Sc the charge
was dismissed.
NO man has during my administra-
t;op hean dismissed from the service of the
company without absolute cause and there
is no railway company in the United States
tfat is fairer to its employees.
when the 9th street line was about
ready to be operated by electric power, /
selected the younger and more vigorous
of the men to be broken in as motormcn,
accidents than men of sixty or seventy
wears of age, as feared that many CT the
latter had not the proper strength to con-
troll an electric car IN an emefsency:
while this was not intended to displace
any of the old men, some of the men on
the 9th street line seemed to think So
Those men who were too old to manage an
electric car. were transferred to the
dds lHiiy' HAs' "AeFs '"s' ale "'" a. "0'A
I'm the selection of motcrmen for the 9th
street line, no thought was given to the
length Of time a man had been In the serv-
ice Of the company, the idea being to get
the best and arrange their positions after
ward.
1.-The Sth street men continued. however,
to be dissatisfied, and committee waited
on me in regard to the matter, complaining
that new men had been put ahead of the
old men, some of whom had worked for the
company for many years.
THE matter was explained to the COM
mittee and l assured them that the ar
rangement was only temporary and every
thing would be made satisfactory in a few
days.
within that period 1 had a list of the
9th street liLe men made, and, taking into
consideration all the facts in the cases.
such as length of service, etc. the positions
of the men were so arranged as to secure
the approval of Mr.. Thomas ]. Lawrence
president and Mr.. F. NJ Dent secretary, of
the union, respectively, and they signed a
paper to that effect.
I'm no instance has a conductor, motor
man or driver made a proper request from
me that has not been granted.
THE men do not work twelve hours, as
alleged. The schedule calls for eleven
hours on the car. while eighteen minutes
are added for eating and time required for
various purposes"
A Detective I'm the Church Organ,
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
1t is not often that a minister delivers
his Sunday sermon with detective perched
on the pipe organ and another looking down
on the audience through the ventilators,