Evening journal., 1903-08-13
EXPRESS DRIVERS
co ON STRIKE
Employees of Adams Express
Company Not Satisfied
With System OF Fines
WANT FIVE DOLLARS MORE MONTH
They Did Not Take Out the Wagons
This Morning and Office Force Had
to Deliver Packages in Their

This Morning and Office Force Had
to Deliver Packages in Their
Place.
only one or two Adams Express
wagons were seen on the street this
morning, the rest were in the stables
OF the company at Fifth and Madison
streets. The reason for this idleness
was caused by a strike OF nine OF the
concerns employees. Seven drivers and
two clerks composed the men on
strike. No amicable settlement has as
yet been reached.
The men went TO the stables as usual
at o'clock this morning, but did not
take their wagons out. The stablemen
were told not TO go TO the trouble OF
hitching up. The strikers then went
across the street and awaited results.
About ? o'clock the express company
made am effort to get one OF It's wagons
out OF the stables, but did not succeed.
Pulled Man From Seat.
A telephone message was received
from the manager OF the company re-
questing that a wagon be sent to the
Office. The team left the stable with
Mr.. Johnson, one OF the stablemen, as
driver, but It did not proceed far before
the strikers surrounded the vehicle and
pulled Johnson from his seat. The
horse was shortly after returned to the
stables.
shortly after IL o'clock Road Agent
J.. NJ. Hun and William II. Tunis man
ager OF the Wilmington office, appeared
on the scene and walking past the
strikers without recognizing them, went
into the stables. They ordered three
OF the company's teams hitched up. and
Manager Hun sprang upon one Of the
wagons with a rcsolute air.
Outside the strikers We're debating
what course they should pursue In the
matter, and at last decided to make
their demands known 10 the two ofli-
cials Of the company. They according
ly proceeded In body TO the stable.
Once inside, one OF the men informed
Mr.. Hun that he and his companions
would like to speak with him on the
situation In the Office connected with
the stables.
Il win hear what you have to say
here" returned the manager. He eyi-
IDENTIFY thought better OF it and granted
the request OF the men. But he and
Mr.. Tunis went into the Office and after
remaining with the strikers for some
time came out A consultation between
the two followed and they again enter
ed the office.
Upon coming out the Journal reporter
asked Mr.. Hluif II he had any statement
to make. He said the matter had not
as yet been settled, but another confer
ence with the men would be held this
afternoon. The two men then jumped
into two Of the waiting wagons while a
boy clambered into the third. With Mr..
Tunis leading and Mr.. Hun in the rear
the three wagons left the stables.
The men have several grievances ON
which TO base their action. When a re-
porter of the Evening Journal appear
ed among them they told him their
troubles.
Causes Of the Strike.
The chief cause OF the strike, accord
ing to the men, is the claims system
in use by the company. Fines aggre-
eating S1.3O We're recently imposed upon
three Of the drivers for goods damaged
while in transit. The men upon whom
the fines were placed were the last TO
handle the packages, and the company
held them responsible, although the
drivers assert the goods were in good
condition when they left this city.
The strikers were satisfied TO pay the
claims on the basis Of So a month, but
the company insisted that the whole
amount be paid at once. This aroused
the mems ire and as they receive a SAL
ary of but $40 a month decided TO strike.
Two Of the drivers were fined $50
each, and according TO the strikers they
would be obliged to work five weeks
without receiving a cent OF money in
order to pay the fines.
{ Strikers Demand.
The demands as made upon the COM
pany are as follows:
A raise Of So a month In salary and
the reduction of the three fines in ques-
tion, or payment of the same at the
rate of IS n month. These questions
will probably be discussed this after
noon.
The delivery department was some-
what crippled, but many Of the pack
ages received on the morning trains
were delivered.