Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09
STRIKE OF GAS WORKERS.
Company Deslayss There is No Cause
for Alarm.

1OC A1aTm.
Fffty-six flremen,, coke and furnacemen,
members of the recently organized Gas
Workers Union of Washington, employed
by the Washington. Gas Light Company. in
stituted strike against that company yes
terday afternoon at 5 O'Clock, Demanding
an increase in their pay and recognition OF
their union.
Five years ago, the strikers assert. they
received $275 and 81 So respectively. Tor
workday Of twelve hours. at which time
one man was only compelled to care Tor
one bench" which requires the handling
Of $500 pounds Of coal a day. When Con-
gress passed bill regulating the price OF
gas. the men declare. their pay was reduced
to $3.50 and 81 day and were assigned TO
look after two benches" double amount
OF work. The strikers state that they nave
been working under that scale ever since
TWO weeks ago. the strikers say. tney
sent letter to Mr.. John Leetch, generai
manager OF the gas company, requesting
conference for the discussion OF matters OF
interest to the gas workers The men de-
clare they received no response. Last mon
day the strikers sent another communlca-
ton to Mr.. Leetch, repeating their request
Mr.. Leetoh. It is stated. turned the iettel
over to Mr.. James A. McIlhenny, engineer
for the company, with instructions 10 ar
range meeting with the men. Ine ~.
conference between Mr.. Mc1lhenny ara
committee from the union was held yester-
day at IL O'Clock at the offices OF the gas
company on 10th street.
The representatives Of the union very
quickly stated the purpose Of their mission,
and. 1t is said. submitted to Mr.. McIlhenny
a scale of wages that had been decided
upon by the union at it's last meeting. Inc
scale OF pay was at the rate OF $3 a DAY
for firemen and $3.50 for coke and furnace
men. an increase of 80 cents per day over
the present rate.
AS soon as the labor men explained the
scale Mr. McIlhenny, 1t is said positlVely
refused to consider the demand and de-
clined to confer with the men as members
of the union. The men state that Mr.. Nc
Ilhenny informed them that they could
choose the alternative Of remaining IN the
employ Of the gas company or remaining
members OF the union. and that the COM
pany would not recognize the union or en-
ploy any man who was affiliated with 1t:
The men Immediately replied that they
proposed to maintain their union. and the
conference was brought to an abrupt ending.
The men then resolved to strike. and went
out yesterday afternoon.
The strikers based their demand on the
fact that the cost Of living has 80 greatly
increased that their, pay is insufficient, and
therefore ask for an increase. They claim
that 1t requires men Of inside experience to
operate the gas works, and that 1t Is i'm
possible for the gas company to procure
men of that character in this city.
The strikers have, established headquar-
tiers at 600 G street northwest.
Officials of the gas company regard the
strike as having little or no significance
stating that several Of their men quit work
filed this morning. They say there Is no
need for alarm among the residents Of
asIthe company has plenty Of
men with which to operate the works.