Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-24
GIRL STRIKERS IN RICHMOND
CONTINUED from First Page.)

MtfSh iulSHl nave tiiS
effect of causing q panic. Some weeks
ago, he said, Il negro woman got reli-
gion and began to shout and scream.
About twenty-five of the girls went into
Mysteries and q panic was narrowly
avertcd.
The girls are permitted to converse
together with perfect freedom" said
Mr.. Whltlock, land they can sing as
loud as they choose. We like it, for it
shows they are happy and contented."
This explanation was accepted as sat
isfactory by the committee, and the
next point was taken up i'll regard to
a girl losing her work unless she
brought her ticket when she turned in
her work.
The slug put on the punches made
by each girl" said Mr.. Whitlock. must
correspond with her number. and then
IL any of the work is bad we know who
did it. There have been n number of
cases where the wrong number was put
on and innocent parties suffered"
THE RULE SUSPENDED.
The committee urged upon the man
ayers that this rule seemed offensive to
all the girls. and they finally agreed to
suspend 1t for month with the dis
tinct understanding that it should be
again enforced If many such mistakes
occurred.
The third grievance was that the girls
were compelled. after filling five molds
to carry them some distance. Mr.
WhitloclI said that he would prefer. as
financial question. for them not to do
this, as the time lost by expert labor
was considerable, and he would rather
employ inexperienced help 10 do IT,.
He was actuatcd solely. he said, by
consideration for the health Of the girls
He thought it much better that they
should walk around occasionally instead
of sitting for hours without taking any
exercise.
TWENTY-TWOP POUNDS.
The point was raised by Mr. Cooke
that the moulds were probably too
fcavy for them to carry. Mr.. Whitlock
accordingly, had five. the regular bur-
den. weighed and it tipped the scales at
twenty-five pounds. He also stated
that number of members of the rail-
way surgeons. in session here a few
weeks ago. had been through the fac
tory and highly endorsed 1t as n health
measure.
The committee conceded in Mr. Whit
locks views and went on to the next
point. which was that the girls were
insultcd by the negroes in charge of the
stock when they went to get the same
Ii was stated that the colored men in
charge Of this department had been
discharged, those under him had gone
out with him and new men had been
put in Mr.. Whitlock stated that If any
girl would report receiving an insult to
his foreman she could always be GER
tain or prompt redress.
RAISE OF SALARY
The last point taken up was the re-
quest of the bunchbreak for seven
cents and of the rollers for twelve cents
MIR Whtlock said that he could not
grant this request. That his factory
was now paying more than others, the
average price being 4 and ). and and
10 ceEtS
In 1894 he was paying and - cents,
and finally was forced by the demands
of the New York offices to fan to the
present prices. He couid not pay more.
He was also compelled TO decline the
request of the packers for the same
reason.
The pay rolls for several weeks were
then produced and examined by the
committee. and the average taken in
each department..
FACTORY INSPECTED.
In conclusion. Mr.. Whitlock took the
committee through the factory, called
their attention to the girls laughing,
talking and singing. and to the electric
fans. ice water. and general air OF COM
fort
Should the strike not be ended by the
meeting at Leigh Street Baptist Church
tomorrow morning, the strikers are as
7ured of the aid of the various labor
unions.
II have no fear that we shall suffer
for anything" said one OF them this
morning.
The WhNlock factory did no work
to-day. The girls were paid off during
the day. Mr.. Whitloclt stated that the
girls could come back Monday and tina t
no attempt would be made to seek out
the leaders in the strike. They need
only return and do their work, ne said
PEACE CONFERENCE.