The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-17
RICHMOND ST. CAR
MEN ON STRIKE
Continued from Second Page.)

of the Virginia Passenger and Power
Company, replied that it was impossible
for the company to grant so large an in
crease in wages, but stated that as an
evidence of the company's desire to meet
the men, he would make this counter
proposition:
First-The men of each division may
decide by vote whether they will work a
nine-hour or q, twelve-hour day.
Second-A scale of wages of II and Is
cents for main and branch line motor
men, and Is and IA cents for main and
branch line conductors
.Third-Payment by the hour if the men
desire it.
This latter scale of wages would re-
suit in an increase of $4,000 a year in
wages.
ARBITRATION. DECLINED.
The committee retired to report the
cosnpany's offer and met Mr.. Sitterding
again by engagement at his Office at
Ninth and Main Streets. at 10 O'clock this
morning. They declined to accede to the
co1npany's proposal but suggested ar
bitration. To this suggestion Mr. Sit
te, ding promptly acceded. and stated that
he would agree to leave the matter to
the arbitration of any five citizens who
might be selected by the Chamber Of
CO n.merce or in any other fair way, and
subsequently stated that he would leave
it to any five clergymen in the city who
might be selected. This proposal was re-
fused and the committee again retired.
Finally, at half-past IL o'clock, the
committee again appeared and stated they
would make only one concession from
their original demand; that is to say,
they would agree for all conductors to
re- III n oil
men 20 cents, whereas their original de-
mand had been for 20 cents an hour for
all motormen and conductors. Mr.. Sit
terding stated to the men that it was
absolutely out of the question to accede
to this demand, as the rate was exorbi-
tant, and under no circumstances could
the company pay so high a scale Of
wages; he offered. however, on his own
responsibility and without conference
with the, other officials of the company,
to increase his offer of yesterday 1 cent
per hour for each class; that Is to say
IS cents to motormen and is cents to con-
ductors on the. main lines, and Is cents
to motormen and Is cents to conductors
on the branch lines. This offer was per-
emptorily refused by the committee, who
also refused Mr.. Stterding's reiterated
offer to leave the matter to arbitration,
he agreeing that the men might select
| five impartial citizens. on whose decision
the whole matter should be left.
! NEGOTIATIONS ENDED.
| This last refusal Of the men ended the
| nesotia tons and they Immediately de-
c1ared the strike.
This company feels that it has done
| everything in its power to deal fairly
and justly with It's men and with the
public The scale of wages which is Of
! Tered is greatly in excess of any wages
paid anywhere in the South and to make
| further concessions would entail s. the
certainty of great financial loss, which
would only result in ultimate injury to
the street car employees as well as to
| the public.
We are entirely willing that the public
should judge between US and meanwhile
we will take immediate and urgent steps
| to give the best service practicable on all
of our. lines.
Yours very truly,
VA. PASSENGER & POWER CO.,
BY F. Sitterdng. President
RICHMOND PASS. & POWER CO.,
ByEJ. d. Patton, President.
RICHMOND TRACTION CO.,
BY j. D. Patton, President