The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-08
Committee to See President Be-
miss of Traction Co. at Once.
SUPPORT NORFOLK STRIKE
Riehuisnd Men Approve Action There. and
Will support 1. Financially, If Nsed Be.
President Simmons Interesting Re-
port Of Situation There-Trae-
tlon aen Here In Earnest.
Won. Give Such Bond

The street-car men of Richmond hcf9
a most important meeting last night
Men of the Traction line reported that
il they understood the situation Alright
a similar bond had been PLACED on them
as had driven the men In Norfolk to
strike. They seemed to think they were
cnufronted with the same conditions as
faced the Norfolk men the day they de-
cided to so out.
The men. who are banded together ti1,-
der the name of the Amalgamated AS
s.ciatios of Street Railway Employees.
decided that they would not submit to
such a bond. But, they are inclined TO
be conservative and careful to the last
degree. They appointed a COMMITTEES OF
three to go to MIR. E L. BemtsS. presl-
dent of the Richmond Traction Company.
and get him to explain what the bond the
company desired them to give meant.
If it were not what they feared it was.
and was satisfactory, there would
be no trouble. They would not go
cut. They held however. that 1t
was Lot right to put the motor,
1uan under an honesty bond as he did
rot handle any of the companyts moneF.
and, further. that the conductors were
willing to give such an honesty bond
as would secure the company from loss.
but that it was their right and pleasure
to provide their own bond, getting 1t
where they pleased
ALI ARE IN EARNEST
One of the prominent members of the
Association said last night that the men
OF the Traction line were confronted oy
two alternatives; one was condlt1oneot
on the company to repeal the order re-
ql iring bond and the other, with them
selves to strike.
Another significant expression of the
men was that they would give the Nor
folk men both moral and financial sup
port, some declaring they would give
them all their wages, save fifty cents.
If need be. The men of the Traction
line arc dead in earnest.
The meeting was held at Smiths Hall.
One hundred and twenty-five members
were present and twenty-six new mem-
bers were obligated. President SIMMONS.
who has recently been In Norfolk looking
into the situation there, made report OF
the situation in that city. He was. posi-
tive in his denunciation OF the bonding
system. which the company in Norfolk
undertook to inaugurate. He stated that
the men of the car lines there were noE
the least disorderly. such attempts as have
been made to injure the imported men
having been made by sympat athixers OF
the car men.
THE BOND QUESTION HERE
The matter of placing the men of this
Traction Company under bond was next
discussed. May of those present were
employed by that company The bonding
plan met with great disfavor at their.
hands. It'seems that the company has all
ready returned to the men the S. which
they were required to deposit as securitt-
for badge and punch and also released this
present security which they have held
against the men for honesty
But it was said that when the men went
to the office on March 1st a new order
had gone forth. 1t is this order that the
men do not understand, but are inclined to
Z believe it will have the same effect as
the action of the Norfolk company. Ths
men fir ely expressed themselves as think
ing that the bond which the Traction
Company requires is an imposition. and
while they do not object to being bonded
for honesty they feel that they should
be allowed the privilege of securing sueh
a bond from whom they see fit.
! It was decided by unanimous vote thai
the r.en would not submit to the tond
| rule as they now understand it,. The COM
mittee of three to see Mr.. Ben,tss and
get an explanation of the recent actor,
! of his company was appointed. This COM
mittee is to report Immediately at a
special meeting to be called for that pur-
pose.
It was brought out in the meeting that
| the Passenger and Power Company men
| are not required to give any bond. but to
make deposit for badges and buttons
| and punch. which is returned when the
/ employe leaves the company.