The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-25
RAILWAY
MEN HELD
MEETINGS.
Large Gatherings at Labor
TempIsand Stirring Addresses.
No Strike Probable.

The mass meetings OF the street rail-
way employees i'm Labor Temple, last
evening, were largely attended and the
greatest enthusiasm prevailed, Three
hundred members were present AT
o'clock and 30 applicants We're initiated.
The most important matter was the re-
port OF the special committee that wait
ed on General Manager Potter OF the
Union Street Railway company, yester-
day afternoon. This committee consist
ed OF John Arno of the Providence end
OF the Fall River route. Daniel Wright
OF the Riverside line. George Gardiner OF
the Pawtucket Street Railway company,
Conductor Greenleaf OF South Providence
and c. T.. Saunders OF Olneyville.
While General Manager Potter may
have been of a frame of mind not 10
openly recognize their union. yet their
Interpretation OF the pleasant reception
accorded and result OF the conference
were that he had practically received
them as committee of Union No. 200
and especially he has made some conces-
sions TO them i'm behalf Of the railroad
corporation. AS a result OF those con-
cessions and the courtesy shown them,
the same committee in also reporting 10
the later meetings at and O'Clock THIS
morning recommended no radical move
on the part OF the union.
Sa far as changes I'm the time table were
concerned, he said he was willing TO
make any that were fair to both the
company and the men, and new schedules
were being arranged which would short
en- the long-trip days. As 10 the ques-
ton of the hours of labor he suggested
that a bill had been introduced in the
legislature in behalf of the men calling
for a l0-hour day I'm II hours and II
passed the. men would secure all that
they demanded.
In reply TO the demand for an increas-
ed minimum wage. he stated that he was
informed that the actuary of the com
party already had under consideration
the grading of the pay of the men and
! changes would doubtless be made.
While Mr. Potter's answer is consid-
| cred by some 10 be all that could have
been expected many of the employees are
| anxious for further negotiations IN or
| der that some definite agreement may
be reached as 10 the price per hour and
they are hopeful that the 10-hour day
NAV be granted and avoid the necessity
of passing a l0.hour bill through the leg
| islature.
Among the speakers at all the meet
| ings were International Treasurer orr
| Preside I G.. V. Moore, OF the Centra
4, Trades and Labor Union and j. Bricknell
I secretary OF the same organization. They
! discussed the benefits of labor unions and
| enlarged upon the results accomplished
| thereby.
| There was an apparent inclination e
accept for the time being what had beer
| offered International Treasurer Orr
however. stated that he expected furthe
negotiations OF even a more favorable
| character.
| He will remain here about 10 days long
! er attending to the affairs of the unioi
| and strengthening it's membership. Dur
ing that time he will make occasiona
trips to Hartford, Worcester and othe
parts OF New England. He has bee
well received by the loca. street car EN-
| ployes.