The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-05

sESDA Oh s., is
sign a bond was told 70 make himself
scarce. He moved away rapidly. There
are several soldiers who did not respond
to the CALL because OF sympathy. and q
squad of troops were today endeaYor-
Ing to round up these sympathfzers.
CAR MEMS STATEMENT.
The Press Committee Of the Norfolk
Street Railway Employees Union publish
the following statement OF their side OF
the case:
THE whole trouble of the past few
days was brought about by the Norfolk
Railway and Light Company attempting
3 to place our members under q bond; the
nature Of this bond was not known to our
members, neither did we know even what
company was TODD the bonding. ME-.
Brooks Johnston, the vIce-president and
entertainments of the Norfolk Railway
and Light Company. says he explained
to the Executive Committee of the Street
Railway Employees Union the nature or
the bond six weeks ago.
mir. Johnston, however. says he was
Of opinion our members thoroughly I'M
derstood the nature of the document,
and that is the reason he posted at the
car barns the Erief bulletin announcing
the fact that the bonding of tho men
was to so into effect on the morning
Of March the LIST.
..Our men. as before stated. not being
familiar with the contents OF the bond.
refused to comply with the company's
bulletin Notwithstanding that fact, the
men reported for work as usual on the
morning of the 1st of March, and then
it was we were given TO understand that
our services were not further nee1ed by
the company. We were rot asked py
the company'S officials in charge OF the
car barns to go to work. In fact, one
of them gave the order to close car Darn
doors to keep the motormen and conduc-
tors ont.
.Olrr men still remained in ignorance
| concerning the bond matter until Sunday
night when at a meeting of our union that
| night a committee of the Central LABOR
Union Of Norfolk, Portsmouth and vicin1-
ty (who had been appointed by that oody
| to wait upon Mr.. Johnston regarding OUT
| troubled visited us and made their report
| Tn making their report, this committee
| (Brothers Orr, Chasteen and BroWniey)
enlightened us concerning the PROVISIONS
of the bonc1l-this was the first olncisti III
| formation we had ever received from any
| source whatever of the nature OF the
| bond, and after having the matter thor-
oughlv explained that it was q bond TOT
l
| TO accade to the demands of the Nor
i folk Railway and Light Company-wes acI
| cepted the bond proposition the moment
| we became acquainted with its PROVISIONS
| ..Acting In this matter as speedily as
| pocsible our union at once requested the
| Central Labor Union Committee TO lur-
| ther wait upon General Manager john
ston and apprise him that we were ready
to accept everything the company then
asked of US.
/ .sN1r. Johnston received the committee
I and promised tham that all our men
i except ore-should be taken back to
| work on Monday morning, and that each
{! man should be given the same position
that he formerly held. All this was salts
! factory to our members and also to the
! one exc pted--Brother Sam. n. Kelly. our
i faithful leader, who is now, and always
has been, a true unio-lst.
,"NIr. Johnston further informed the
Central Labor Union Committee that il
our men would start the cars out on
Monday morning at 7:3o O'Clock he tMr
! Johnston) would receive committee
from our union in reference to a con-
tract he had drawn UP.
! Upon receiving this information from
Mr.. Johnston. our members We're per
4 fectly satisfied, and retired to their homes
to get little much needed rest.
con Monday morning. promptly at 7:3(
o ClOCh, .lEe me SET NY 4,li. JoHilSLoi1, otu
4 men We're at the car barn ready fol
work. But q new obstacle presented it
Observation-Disclosures Rosbrough failed tc
show up.
.About $50 A. NJ. a brand-new bulletin
was posted on the car barn door by the
company, notifying us that all men de
String to go to work must make ap
Our men did so.
when Mr.. Rrsbrough had secured
enough men to run about fifteen cars he
suddenly stopped receiving applications
for work, the men receiving work beln,
paid their last weeks salary: those mer
who were not put to work We're then re.
questcd to turn in their badges. punches
and buttons. This meant a discharge!
Such an act on the part of Mr.. Ros-
brough was in direct violation of the
promise made by Mr.. Johnston to the
Central Labor Union Committee. and ii
was this violation that caused the men
who had applied for positions, and had
been put to work, to leave tho same. rs
soon as they were informed Of the COM
pany's breach of faith!
1T is plainly evident, from fair view
point, that it was the intention Of the
street car company to force the men out
and crush the union.
i Our union men see no reason why the
soldiers should be called out, as we have
not caused any trouble at all, nor do we
| want any trouble. What we rall want Is
peace, so we may earn a living for our
selves, our families and others depend
ent upon us. The public knows we are
| a peaceful set Of men.
"Our union has retained Mr. Hugh
Gordon Miller as its counsel. and every
member feels sure this gentleman will
protect our interests.
Eve hope to put on a bus line as soon
as possible.
Respectfully and truly.
"PRESS COMMITTEE.
'.Norfok Street Railway Employees
Union 49,