Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-17

The Rev. G. M. Oliphant, pastor of
the First Christian church, made some
observations upon the street railway
strike, as a prelude to his sermon Of
last evening, upon s'The preacher and
his message" His remarks are inter
esting, as made from the standpoint of
Christian clergyman. The first point
which he developed was that any cor
poration engaged in business of any
character, which could not pay living
wages to its employees, should go out
of business. There.was principle Of
justice involved. No corporation has a
right to ask of men services, for which
it cannot afford to give adequate com
pensation.
The reverend speaker asserted that
street railway companies are not in
business for philanthropic purposes,
nor merely for the accommodation of
the public. He did not think the fact
would be disputed that they are in bu-
siness for money. They invest their
capital in large amounts with the as
surance that they will receive revenues
in the form of dividends upon their
stock. It is not matter of vital i'm
portance to the stockholders whether
the men receive 16 or 20 cents an hour
for their services. He did not think
the bushes of the railway company
was carried down to such a fine point.
The dividends of the railway company
would not be seriously affected by an
additional four cents an hour to it's en-
ployes, but it would effect the laborer
very seriously. To the man who has
family to support, the four cents an
hour would in a year amount to $3.50,
and would purchase a great many COM
forts
The payment of good, living wages
must certainly result in better SER
vice, better employees, and in in
creased patronage. Good wages
L
is matter which is often lost sight Of.
Mr.. Oliphant stated that his attention
had been called to the fact that one
car in ten hours, on Saturday, had
carried $50 passengers. That meant
$47.50 He made allowance for the
wages of the operator and conductor,
power, interest and dividends, etc., and
estimated that the company cleared
that day upon single car $40. II ten
cars were operated, the net profit to the
company for the day was $500. He then
passed to a discussion of the value of
street railway franchise.
He then referred to the responsibility
which attaches to the position of mo-
torman or conductor. They are re-
quired to exercise constant caution for
the protection of the life and limb of
passengers. They must be men of tact,
quick-witted men. Their responsibility
is greater than that Of steam railway
conductors, and that ought to have
something for that responsibility.
He spoke also of the relation of the
general public to the strike, and said
it ought to have in it the element of
justice. When the street railway COM
pany imposes upon its men, it forfeits
its right to public patronage. He COM
mended highly the orderly manner in
which the strikers have conducted their
case asserting that he has not heard
it even intimated that striker had in
a single instance been in any manner
connected with an act of violence to-
ward the property of the street railway
company He hoped justice would pre-
vail There must be humane feeling
in all these matters, and it is really
the spirit of the gospel of Christ which
is bringing capital and labor closer to-
gether. He presented fer the consider
alton of both sides the Golden Rule.