The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-27

, persons who appeared before the com-
mittee was a man who had never been
employed by the street railway COM
pany and probably never would be. and
this man Fcerned to be the most Interested
In favor OF the passage OF the act.
Mr.. Greene further said that -thc COM
! mittee could not see that the present con-
dition worked any hardship TO tho ena-
| ployes, and the demand for a change Is
| by no means general.
MIR. GARvIN's REMARKS
Mr.. Garvln Of Cumberland tho father OF
the bill. said I'm substance that the
street railway corporation Is a monopoly.
Unlike manufacturing corporations, which
must compete with others in the same
business. both within and without the
state, the street railway possesses cxclu-
sive rights.
Among the things-rrfest- -essential-te-
public safety in the street OF our cities
and towns Is aiertness on the part of the
motormen and conductors of the street
cars. As RUE each street ear Is IN SER
vice about is hours out OF the "a owing
10 the constant watchfulness required OF
every employe. each car should be man
ned by two rclays-one for the first half
Of the day and tho other for the second
half
The present system invites accidents,
and, no doubt, is responsible for them
We, representing the people of Rhode
Island. have conferred privileges of great
pecuniary value upon the few persons
controlling the principal street railways
OF the state. The least VIC can now do IL
10 require our benciiciaries To take all
needed precautions against manning and
killing our constituents. To fail TO pass
this act is To assume responsibility for
future casualties"
ARGUMENTS PRO AND con.
Mr.. Rice of Pawtucl1et spoke earnestly
in behalf OF the passage OF the bill, claim
ing that the men worked too long, and
that IL was the duty of the state TO regu-
late hours of labor.
Mr.. Newell OF Central Falls was of the
same opinion. and he took occasion to
say that thousands of women were now
cutting the men out Of factories, and men
were Obliged To DO work where and how
they could
Nr. Greenhalgh, OF Pawtucket. said that
he favored the indefinite postponenent.
because he believed that the Union Rail-
road company and its employees will set
tie whatever differences exist without
the interference OF the General Assembly
Mr.. Horton, OF Cranston. said that if
the act was passed the corporation would
not give the men any more money, but
would simply pay them for the hours or
work done, and this might mean reduc-
v
of the act would be no hardship 10 the
corporation, and he would vote against
indefinite postponement.
Mr.. HoXsie OF Exeter spoke in behalf OF
the employees. claiming that they are at
present overworked. and he was opposed
20 the indefinite postponement OF the bill.
Mr. Sheffield. OF Newport, thought the
general assembly should so slow in saying
that b man should not work as long as he
wanted TO. He did not believe IN tho
state interfering tco much. unless it was
sure that it vas <sng 90 remedy some-
thing. lie SAID the men who appeared ut
the hearing were all alert and intelligent
and they did not appear 20 be Influenced
by any fear OF losing their positions. Very
few OF these mon desired any change in
the present system.
He believed that tho conditions botween
the corporations and the employees will be
gradually adjusted without any intcrfrr-
encc on the part OF the state.
INTERFERENCE NOT NEEDED.
Mr. Rice OF Pawtucket said that the
men who had been talking IN the inter-
este OF labor and laboring men, had now
sn opportunity TO show how much their
interest amounted TO.
Mr.. Littleheld OF Providence thought
that Interference on the part OF the state
ln tho question OF the employment of
labor was dangerous. and he believed
that this matter had better be let a,oie.
Mr. GarSln said that the argument that
wages vfll be cut down should no, rlfer
into the question. Tor hc nujersioa flAt
many OF the men were WILLING 10 r.caive
less n they worked fewer hours Bs did
not. however believe thst thcgc would
be sny reduction o. wages n the blI
passes
After brief remarks by Mcesrs. Greene
lColtiruaa ON psxn Iysl