The San Francisco call., 1896-02-23

benefits OF organization; and whereas, this la
Dor union convention stands pledged to do all
In its power to aid and assist all Wage-earners,
and particularly those who are unable to pro-
tect themselves against the ayarice, injustice
be it
,Reso'red, That this convention call upon all
OF the trades unions and lberty-loving c1tl-
zens to unite in one grand effort to amellorate
the condition OF the employees of streetear
railway companies; and be it further
ResolUed, That we will pledge ourselves in
dlvldually and collectively to secure the pas
sage OF a legislative measure making the max
imum hours of la Dor eight hours day on all
corporation work requiring municipal fran
chises and
ResolUed, That we call upon all streetcar en-
ployes TO unite with the wage-workers in a
grand political movement to abolish the
obnoxious system which generates the evils OF
which we complain, and thus free ell labor
from the thraldom OF private Z caIPitaI: 7 a.,
Delegate from the c. NJ. I. Z. of A., Union 22S.
Delegate Burns, in discussing his resolu-
ton, gave several of the principal reasons
for its Introduction. He said, in the first
place, that the hours the gripmen, the mo-
tormen and conductors are compelled to
work is simply an outrage that the people
should abolish. He said that this class of
wage-earners are compelled to go to work
at 80 o clock in the morning and stand
at their posts for fourteen hours, with only
time enough to hastily swallow thin noon
lunches and evening meals. For this they
are poorly paid, and subject to abuse and
insults from unreasonable superiors and a
thoughtless public. Burns said
Put yourself in the position OF a motorman
or grlpman on one of the big lines for little
while. These men are subject to all conditions
OF weather-heat, cold, rain and fog. All day
and hall of the night they go forcing their way
through crowds of teams and gatherings of
people. One slip of the grip or motor or brake
fheV crush a
vehicle or their car, for which thev are held
res ponsible, or run down and injure or kill g.
human being. THESE mems necessary watch
tulness keeps their nerves at a terrible tension
all day and half OF the night. No human be-
ing can stand such strain day in and day out
for months and not break down.
Therefore say that the public should de-
mand that men in such responsible positions
shall not be oyerworked There would be
fewer people killed and injured if the men in
charge of the street cable and electric cars
were not oyerworked. The conductors are
almost as badly situated. They work as long
hours and are expected 10 gather in every five
overlooked the conductor does not know but
he will be reported by "spotter" and dis
missed. AS for the social life OF these laborers,
they have none. 1t is one continuous grind
which grinds the life out of them and to falter
means to lose their jobs.
1t is the duty of our convention to look after
the interests OF those who are unable to protect
themselves. Should they attempt to organize
they would all be fired. am sure If they had
a union that union would be represented in
our convention. By the suggestion 1 make
they can help themselves by voting for the
men the wage-workers Will put to the front,
and the corporations will not be able to inter
fere with the voters under the present ballot
ing system.
Mr.. Burns said that in introducing the
resolution he will call attention to another
matter that should be looked into. Each
company keeps large force of extra men
around its carhouse, who earn from 81 so
to So per week. The extra list is at least
30 per cent OF the working force, and their
hours are just as long as those of the regu-
lars. They have to spend all their time
there, SO as to be ready in case their SER
vices are wanted. Thus the companies re-
ceive the benefit of the time without pay
ing for the same. By reducing the hours
all would have a chance to work, and be
paid for il. Now the extra men virtually
give all their time, and are paid for
but few hours work. Mr.. Burns added,
in conclusion:
There is still another piece of injustice prac
ticed upon these unfortunate men that beat is
the gas com pany's deposit on the meter sys.
TEN. Every grlpman, motorman and con-
ductor, extramen well regulars is
obliged to deposit with the corporation S25 to
honesty. There are over 5000 of these EN-.
ployes and their deposits amount 10 over
SIS, 900, upon which the companies draw in.
terest. What right have they to exact such q
tax from their men? feel sure that the con-
vent ion and the public in general will indorse
any law that will afford these streetcar EN-.
ployes any relief whatever.