Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-23
The Demands Made Refused and Work
Suspended for the Day.
EXPECTS THEM BACK TODAY.
Mr.. WhitlOcIS Does Not Regard the
Trouble ns Serious, and Thinks
Very Few VIII Remain Out-Ob-
lection To New Regulations.

The 200 or more girls employed in
cheroot-making at the Whitlock Branch
Of the American Tobacco Company. at
Twenty-sixth and Cary streets quit work
yesterday.
Whether they will resume to-day re-
mains to be seen. Mr.. Philip Whitlock
the manager of the factory, said last
night he thought practically everybody
would be at work to-day
Several of the girls, those who must
be regarded as out-and-out strikers. were
much more positive that nobody, or.
at most, but few, would work unless GER
tain demands are complied with.
WHAT THE GIRLS SAY.
The girls give more details Of the
trouble than were vouchsafed by Mr.
Whitlock. There is much excitement
among them.
The trouble began early this morning"
said one of them to Il Dispatch reporter
last night. For some time the bunch
breakers have been considering asking
for an increase to cents, from 6 cents
This morning there was lot Of whisper.
ing going on among them, and they finally
made up their minds to ask for the raise,
THE rollers heard about this and then
they said they were going 20 ask Mr.
Whitock for Y cents instead Of Il, which
they have been getting
80 1t was all fixed up, and a lot Of the
rollers and breakers went to see him and
told him what they wanted. He listened
to them kindly as he always does, but
he couldn't give the raise, lie said
You see it is a right big thing. We
figure that it would increase the wages
of every girl about 20 cents day. There
are at least 1900 girls at work there, SO
that means an increase in the payroll
of $40 day, without any increase in the
number Of cheroots turned out.
A HEAP OF TALKING.
well" she continued 1.-THE girls went
back after heap Of talking with Mr.
Whitlock There was Il great deal OF
talking after they went to work, and we
didn't do much good, so he told Us about
II o'clock that work would be stopped for
the day. We quit in a hurry. The girls
on the second and third floors didn't want
to stop, but Mr.. Whtlock said for every
body to quit. BY 2 o'clock the packers
were through, too, and nobody was at
work"
When asked if she was going to Work
to-day the girl was positive in her reply
THAT we are not" she said with deci-,
sion. 1--WE are not going to work, and we
are going to be at the factory at o'clock
in the morning to see that nobody else
does. 1 don't think there is going to be
any work done in the factory until we
get what we've asked for. Girls are
scarce. They haven't got near as many
as they want" and she laughed signf-
cantly.
In addition to- dissatisfaction regarding
wages and the inspection OF work, there
are also certain rules recently adopted
with which the girls are greatly dissatis-
fed. claiming that they work hardship
in that it is in effect reduction of pay.
MIR. WHITLOCKS STATEMENT.
Mr.. Whitlock stated last night that he
regarded the trouble as not at all serious.
"There are a number Of liscontended girls
in the factory who have exercised a bad
influence over the Others" he said. II
think the chief complaint is that the girls
lose too much time waiting for the IN
spectors to pass upon their work They
claim they are thus prevented from max
ing the wages which they have a right
to expect.
81 saw this morning.. continued Mr.
Whtlock that something was wrong.
After the girls had worked some time
there was so much confusion resulting
from talking that I tried to stop It. I
was not entirely successful. so l ordered
work stopped for the day. There was
4. 4 yID,r ~
men | could have quoted them The
girls on the second and third floors wish
ed TO keep at work. But 1 thought a
half-hOliday good for them. l believe all,
with few exceptions will be ready to
resume work tomorrow. | observed one
thing" concluded Mr.. Whitlock, "the
girls who make the most money led in
making trouble. Our employees are very
well paid and we have little trouble with
them"
Mr. Whitock expressed deep regret that
the trouble had arisen. He and the girls
Of the factory have always been on the
best of terms, and he never loses occasion
10 speak highly of their conduct and
character The girls too, have always
manifested for him a high regard.
There have been about 200 girls at
work at the factory this week The usual
quit for the summer. Mr.. Whitlock stated
last night that perhaps one-third ot the
girls were off on excursions yesterday |
Some of the leaders in the trouble de- |
clared last night that every effort would |
he made this morning 10 prevent these |
from returning 10 work.
WHAT THEY EARN.
The average wages received by the girls |
81 Whitlock's is probably 81 per week. |
some receive 81. some So. and a few as |
mucn as so. The breakers-those who |
bunch tobacco for rolling-and the rollers |
average very nearly the same. the advan-
tage being in favor Of the rollers. The !
hackers who assert the finished product |
With reference 10 the color OF the wrapper |
ana put up the packages. receive the BEST
pay Of all.
The managers of the various rooms. |
tbe jnspectors. several CLERKS. and a few |
negroes for heavy manual labor. are
males. all the rest are females There |
are more girls at Whitlock's than at anyi
other factory in the city. and more are /
being advertised for Mr.. Whitlock did |
not state last night that all 200 talked |
al once when demanding an increase but |
he very clearly in,imated that he could |
ain hear In Imagination the clamor they |
t,f- ho