Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1906-10-17

Spencer, N. c., special.-The first
atatcIae'it from the oifisjals Of the
Southern Railway ConpafiS concern
ing the recent strike ON its system
was received here Thursday: The
statements is signed by Mr.. II. B.
Spencer, general manager, and is in
part as fullows;s
To Southern Railway Machinists:
i.5t.H aiatitiioA; declining to accept tie
proposition offered ly Tie company
respecting rates Of pay aud rules and
regulations, has been brought to the
attention Of Tic operating officers.
Bsa:iusa 81 the difficulty Of ac-
quaintiny large lit'it "f men, by
means Of personal interviews, s.tii
the attitude Of this company on these
questions, il is deemed espedicnt to
prcsclil the situation III the form Of
this 1elief.
company 10 pay lis employees rate
of wages fairly commensurate with
lie character Of service rendered and
Tie conditions surrounding the en-
pIosltierF' yhaE, This policy is hahi,
tually observed is silpi,ii ~ lie fact
that The basis of wages paid by tie
company is always kept substantially
standard. You will also recall that
while the rules and regulations now
III effect stipuialu tilat ihc rates ag-.
reed upuil will remain in effect one
year, The cpftpdnF. has. from time to
time, without waiting ta:t the espria-
ton Of this period: voluntarily ad-
vanced the rates to meet the changed
conditions. The cordial attitude OF
The company towards its employees has
been further shown by the fact that
it las frm time ty time and whencr-
cr desired; rtctiTed representatives,
OF lae respective trades Ind ocenpa-
ions. fhr the purpose Of discussing
adjustments cf tates Of pay and con-
diiions pertaining 10 such dtiestions
have Lccn in all cases aplicably adj.
iustcd.
80. For -Fihe past Two
MOI months &c operations Of sthe%liles Of
this company effected by the iactcasc
demanded showed The following re-
suit:
Increase in gross earnings, 1919
per cent. increase in operating ex-
penses ard taxea l7.02 per cent.
Showing a decrease i'll net earnings
for the last Two months of $780,
97G.Ol.
As III. aggregate increases in rates
of pay requested amounted 10 q large
sum, thereby adding largely TO the al
ready heavy operating expenses, 4
general increase is not considered rea-
sonable, and therefore could rot be
graDtel.
In edition to this, the company is
confronted by ss;.ous agitation be-
fore various Stats commissions in ia
yor of decreased rates C freight and
passenger charges, which, if put into
effect, will mean large additional de-
creases in the net revenues Of the
company.
Under these circumstances it will be
Appreciated That The time is moi pro-
pitious 10 consider general increase
in wages 10 employees, and the COM
pany feels that lis employees should
in fairness realize the situation AID
not insist Oh the general increase J"
wages demanded.
In this connection, it must be re-
membered that the company has not
been unmindful Of the just interests
of The machinists in its employment.
This is shown by the increases OF the
rates of their pay within the last five
years, which, as you are aware from
your OWL experience, have been most
substantial.
4 fair consideration of Tie above
facts will, ! hope. convince You that
there vas 10 reasonable cause Tor
yonr action IL leaving the employ
ment Of This company.
The gravity Of the situn.ica de-
mands tlle most careful consideration
III Tie part. of each aud every en-
oloyc Of this compdhyl aiq I trust
hat, after such consideration, You
will see that your attitude towards
his company has not becl entirely
Just and that you will feel that yoa
ought not only in justice 10 this
.umrany, bit in justice to yourselves,
:cconsiler your action.