The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-04-23

ployes who are members OF our asso-
Trusting that this request will meet
with your appreciation and cooperation
] am sincerely yol,r3:
c. Q. PRATT,
Chairman Executive Committee ANAL
gamated Association Street and Elec-
trio Railway EMPLOYEES of America.
AS already stated Mr.. Pratt declined
20 discuss the reply he received from
Mr.. Bancroft He WINS of the opinion
that the president of the railway com
pany had obtained wrong conception
II some portions of his letter and he IN
tended TO again communicate with Mr.
Bancroft and if possible. correct those
misconceptions. NJ, Bancroft. it is un-
derstood set no time for a conference
with Mr.. Pratt nor did he indicate that
ha intended TO convene any such con
ference. Mr.. Pratt said he would en-
ieavor TO reply to Mr.. Bancroft S let
ter last night. but he was not sure
whether or not he would be able TO do
so.
The following open letter 70 the pub
lie, formulated by the general commit.
tce of the Carmen s union. setting forth
their position in the controversy, was
handed for publication.
The Men to the Citizens.
To the citizens OF Salt Lake City and
the general public.
The street railway employees Of this
city deeply regret that IL becomes Deces-
sary for them TO again become the cause
OF so much agitation and uncertainty
owing TO the fact that We have been un-
able 10 negotiate an amlcable adjustment
of differences that exist between our
selves and the Utah Light and Railway
company. II is our desire that the peace
and serenity OF our beautiful. quiet city
he preserved. and while we have worked
consclent!ously and faithfully 10 that
end, withoup thus far having obtained
any satisfactory assurances of our con-
ditlons of employment and wages OF the
future therefore we feel constrained TO
place our side OF the situation fairly be-
fore you for careful consideration be-
leving you Will be convinced Of the JUS
tlce Of our cause and the helplessness
OF our condition If we were 10 accept
continuance of the conditions under
which we labor a. rhe present time in
trying 10 preserve our dignity as worthy
citizens and loyal defenders OF our homes
and the best interests OF our city's wei
fare.
We believe, then. an injury 10 the great
body OF employees Of street car men be-
comes. In a measure a detriment TO the
public welfare. for We come In close
contact with the home life OF all the
responsibility Of the safety and welfare.
as well as even the lives Of the women
md children who ride upon tho cars or
N moment Of sbsetn- -mindedness
'Ng the busy streets.
Why They Formerly Accepted
We are for the most part. lifelong resi-
enrs Of this community. Our homes and
cur interests are centered here. What
ever is beneficial 10 our citys welfare
1rous TO our city's best interest Is In
iurious IN MS. II wes because Of these
Interests snd love for our city's rcputs-
ton and progress and In favor of peace
that we acquiesced In the acceptance Of
the cornpsny's position toward us near
ly one year ago. We gave up every re-
the company by our entire organization
and we accepted the situation In abso-
lutte silence rather than 10 invoke serious
Our International representative was a
thtat time denied an audience with the
officials Of the company. though he
tlement OF ihe existing controversy, and |
~ was largely due 10 his advice and di- |
recttnn that strike was averted, al |
though tho oompony declined to In any
Again in presenting renewal OF our !
former requests for better understand !
Ing rs 10 our relationship with our en-
ployeTs and contracting cur labor for mn !
other year, the company has again taken |
the same arbitrary stand toward grant
Ing us recognition or conce.iing single
have absolutely refused to meet our com |
mittees officially: they have positively |
declined TO meet our personal represen- |
tatiyc under any circumstances; they |
have emphatically refused TO make any |
contract In writing, they have refused to |
grant the wage rate asked for. and in |
stead have offered e slight increase of !
wage TO the motorrnen and conductors, |
while they state positively they Will take |
away the pay for overtime for shop and |
barn employees, thus actually forcing
cductlon in wages 10 that class OF men;
- nirer words. rob Peter TO pay Paul
the slight proposed increase which in the |
nTst plnce was unworthy OF serious con-
sideration.
Comparative Scale of Wages.
The wages OF car men here are much
ower than that paid in cities where like
conditions prevail Butte is the nearest |
city TO Salt Lake in popula-
ton and cost of living. The difference |
II any, is in favor OF Butte when II |
comes TO the cost OF living Men of
family can live. in Butte IL per cent
cheaper than they can in Salt Lake
CITY, Salt Lake City has II larger pop |
latton. TO say nothing Of the noatIng |
element who pass throdgh here as tour
Isis, thus swelling the company's Golfers
while at the same time II increases the
mere. making their work more arduous |
han that Of the car men In Butte. The |
,ar fare in Butte is 5 cents the same |
as II Is In this city, yet tho car men |
VI Butte are receiving n maximum wage |
ate OF As cents per hour. while the
rate Of the car men OF Salt
Lake Is but 27a cents an hour. or III |
cents an hour lower than the Butte
scale. we are only asking q maximum
wage rate OF 30 cents nm nour, which is