The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1906-10-18

Spencer, \. {, Special.--The firsi
statement from the oiIiSials OF the
Southern Railway Company concern.
Ing the recent strike on its system
was received here Thursday. The
statements is signed by Mr. H. Il.
Spencer, general manager, and is in
lart as follows:
To Southern Railway Maehinists:
Your action, declining TO accept the
proposition offered by the company
respecting rates of pay and rules and
regulations, has been brought TO the
attention of the operating officers.
Because of the difficulty of ac-
quainting a large body of men, by
means of personal interviews, with
the attitude of this company on these
questions, it is deemed expedient To
present the situation in the form Of
this letter.
Ii is the desire and effort of this
company to pay its employees a rate
of wages fairly commensurate with
the character of service rendered and
the conditions surrounding the en-
ployment That this policy is habi-
tually observed is shown by the fact
that the basis of wages paid by the
company is always kept substantially
standard. You will also recall that
while the rules and regulations now
in effect stipulate that the rates ag-
reed upon will remain in effect one
year, the company has from time TO
time, without waiting for the expria-
tion 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
| 1t has from time TO time and whenev-
| er desired, received representatives
of the respective trades and occupa-
tions, for the purpose of discussing
| adjustments of rates Of pay and con-
ditions pertaining to such questions
have been In all eases amicably ad-
justed.
: For the past two
months the operations of the lines of
this company effected by the increase
demanded showed the following re-
suit:
Increase IN gross earnings, 1919
per cent. Increase in operating ex-
penses and taxes 1902 per cent.
Showing a decrease in net earnings
for the last two months of $l49,-
976.04.
As Me aggregate increases in rates
of pay requested amounted to a large
sum, thereby adding largely TO the al
ready heavy operating expenses, a
general increase is not considered rea-
sonable. aud therefore could not be
granted.
/ In af .tion 70 this, the company is
confronted by serious agitation be-
fore various State commissions in ia
vor of decreased rates Gf freight and
passenger charges, which, if put into
effect, will mean large additional de-
creases in the net resenues of the
company.
Under these circumstances it will be
appreciated that the time is not pro-
pitious to consider a general increase
in wages to employees, and the com
pany feels that its employees should
in fairness realize the sifr, tion and
not insist on the general increase ia
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 own experience, have been most
substantial.
/ A fair consideration of the above
I facts will, hopey convince you that
there was no reasonable cause foI
your action in leaving the employ
ment of this company.
The gravity of the situation de.
hands the most careful consideration
on the part of each and every en-
ploye of this company. and ] truss
that, after such consideration. you
will sec that your attitude towards
this company has not been entirely
just and that you will feel that yor
ought not only in justice to thi:
company, but in justice to yourselves
reconsider your action.
l