The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-17
FROM Mr.. vETTER
Important Statement Issued BY
the Business Agent.

The executive board or the striking
railway men met at noon today. with
President Arno In the chair AMI every
member present
Remarks were made by the president.
by Business Agent vetter. by Mr. c. j..
Saunders and by International Treasurer
Orr
In fact. the meeting was OF an inter-
esting character and the discussion gen.
eral and informal
BUSINESS AGENT SPEAKS
After the adjournment OF The board the
following statement was issued by Bust
ness Agent Vetter:
After losing the weak ones and those
spare men that were looking for full
day cars we are now down TO our bona
fide members. that is men that will stand
up for the principles they took the obli-
II Mr. Potter would tell the truth he
would say that the men who are now
holding out are the men he would rather
have on the cars, as they represent the
best men In the service, for they have
the courage OF their conviction.
But In order to make a showing to the
public the company is obliged TO use any
and all men they can procure TO operate
the cars during the strike. Nobody is
deceived as anyone on the inside knows
that the men furnished by the agency in
New York come high but the company
seems TO be willing to spend thousands Of
dollars rather than ipcrease the wages OF
the men who have In the past given their
best services In behalf of the company.
The company claims that men who were
on strike are coming 10 the office every
day trying 10 return TO work. The truth OF
the matter Is that OF the men striking, on
Wednesday about all of them mad from s.
TO sl4 I'm wages due them and are now
going 10 the office TO receive the same.
likewise turning in their badges. ticket
books, etc.
Mr.. Potter takes this time TO ask each
one IL they would like to return and In
the case of those that could be won over
they were compelled TO sign a contract
that they would work for IL hours for s.
day. This contract means that the work
ing day OF the street railway man OF
Providence ranges from ten hours to u
hours and 20 minutes. Under these con-
ditions IT will be impossible TO have the
contended class OF men that the company
would have IL the men were paid on equal
rate OF wage. that is 221a cents per hour
Some OF the best operated lines I'm the
country are where the traction company's
employees have written agreements bind
ING both parties for six months, one year
or some stated time thereby. ensuring
peace and harmony, not only 20 the COM
pany and employees but 20 tho public.
The situation I'm Providence at the pres
ent time Is as follows:
The Pawtucket Street railways entire
system is practically at n standstill The
service between Pawtuckst and Provi-
dSnce is I'm the hands OF New York part
les who are making az good a showing
as possible under the conditions and
Riverpoint Is about the same as Paw
tuckct
The lines I'm the city with the help OF
men that have received a bonus I'm salary
for the best ten years. with the help OF
weak ones. won over by promises per-
suasions. etc. are able through the day
20 keep up a fair service. But I'm closing
the people are not riding and wont ride
unti the men that are out are once more
on there respective cars.
Signed for the executive board.
A. o. VETTER,
Business agent