The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-24

properties had effected a substantial say
Ing ~still the ratio OF, operating expenses
the amount which stood out most fprolni-
nently in proportion to other expenses,
and which was most out Of proportion TO
tor,nen and conductors. It being 81 per
cent OF the total receipts from railway
OPERATING, expenses. II the officers Of the
company had gone MT the read5usting OF
expenses in tho most natural way. this
would have been tho first one that would
have come in for reduction, but, as this
rate Of wages had been fixed by Board
OF Arbitration. the company did not feel
that It could make reduction In these
wages and keep good faith with It's en-
ployes
understand why. when demand for an
additional increase of 24.6 per cent. over
the present high wages is asked. result 7,
about $4,000 per year. md this request
or demand is made just nine. months
from the date upon which the arbitration
to make any further increase, 1t already
being very serious question as to how
the Company will be able to live up TO
ton and at the same time meet Its OBJ
Board Of Arhitration, which took effect
the lSC. OF laSL <AuS w po. IhA -
over. 1t becomes q question whether the
company should not reduce these wages
rather than increase them.
1t Is appreciated that the expense OF
living is greater than 1t has been In perl
DDS past, but this was fully considered
by the Board of Arbitration last summer,
as compared with other cities Of the same
size In the south) was tho result OF tho
consideration Of the Arbitration Commit
tee OF this increased cost Of living.
Jl,y rhnicP
working nine hours per day on the Rich
lnond and Manchester lines. rather than
twelve hours. as heretofore, and y IS IN
reasonable to expect that the company
will be able to pay you such increase IN
wages per hour as would enable you to
earn as much per day WORKING only nine
hours as You formerly earned working
twelve hours.
In the matter of the Petersburg Road.
With the present rate Of wages paid, the
Petersburg Road during the past winter
was barely able to pay operating expenses
and must trust to the summer travel to
pay the interest on its BOMBS. 10 In
vided in your proposed contract. would
mean to bankrupt the property,
With regard TO submitting to Hoard
of Arbitration the dismissal and suspen-
tually place the discipline OF the roads
in the hands OF Board Of Aib;t:a ton .n
culties with which n superintendent has
10 contend. YOU must recognize that 1T
will be impossible FOR superintendent. OF
any operating man to control and main
tain the respect of his men If his actions
in matters Of discipline arc to be con-
tinually' reviewed and passed on BY
Board of Arbitration; 1t would simply
mean to take matters our Of his hands,
and his usefulness would be at an end.
1t Is well understood among our men
that tho management Is always ready to-
hear and act upon any complaint that
any employe may have to make, The
men haze so often In the past availed
themselves of this right with, apparent
ly, such entire satisfaction. that 1t is
& hard to believe that there Is 4 man In
tho employ Of lie company who IL afraid
OF being unfairly dealt with. Tho COM
pany must assume financial responsible
ty for It's operation, and hence i cannot
place this operation IN the hands Of 9TH
ers who assume no responsibility for the
result of such operation.
AS to the provision requiring q nine
hour day. The company has no objection
to Il 9-hour day, provided the men want It,.
BY a vote OF the men nne-hour day
now prevails on all lines except in the
city of Petersburg, and 1t Is not be
lieved that the present scale of wages
in Petersburg (Which 10 all the company
can afford to pay) would enable the mon
to live properly on nino hours work.
With regard to providing free Transport
4 the company, 1t is we'll understood that
the company proposes to provide the mo-
tormen and conductors OF the city lines
with an extra badge. which will enable
them to ride on the city lines when Off
duty. These badges have been received,
and 1t Is expected to Issue them shortly
1t is not Intended, however, to make