The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-04
NO STRIKE IS
now IMMINENT
Step Is Not and Never Has Been
Contemplated Says Both
SIDES.
ASK FOR SHORTER HOURS
Men Also File Petition for Ten
Per Cent Increase in Their
Pay.
ASK FOR SHORTER HOURS

There is and never has been any
contemplation OF a strike IN these
shops u all OF this sensation re-
Gently ls the result of ewspap talk
This is part OF a statement made FRI
day morning with reference to the
reported labor DIFFICULTIES in the shops
ri the Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac Railroad Company, by MIR. II
Z. Davidson. president of Consolida-
ton Number 10 of the Railway De-
partInent OF the American Federation
of Labor.
Mr.. Moneure. who IS acting super
intendent OF Motor Power and ma
chiaery at the shops during the alb
u of Superintendent Knapp, ex-
pressed himself in a similar strain.
There is no strike contemplated, so
far az ! know" said Mr.. Moncure.
II visited the shops this morning and
all the men we're at work, / saw no
indications OF dissatisfaction. Tn ]
men are very much hurt over the &c
counts published in some Of the papers
OF h city and they say that they
the public"
Men Want Agreement.
III was ascertained AT the shops that
Tor several months the men in the
shops of the railroad have been con-
ienapiating having an agreement with
h company. The movement origi-
mated about the first of January aud
meetings have been held during the
past two months. The men say that
all other railroads have a regular
agreement with their men and get to-
gether every year, talk over condi-
tons and renew the agreement for
twelve months. IN this agreement the
hours OF work are fixed and the scale
3f wages agreed pom for the coming
nix ant 49,
all the trades In the employ OF the
Southern railway are now In Birm-
sngham holding the annual meeting
Aath the officials and 1t Is said thai
he conference of the Chesapeake and
ohio men is to be held next month.
The Richmond. Fredericksburg and
Potomac Company has never had any
agreement with its men, and this is
what the most desire. The
men say that ten hours Is regarded
rs II regulation days work, and they
want this reduced to nine hours. They
do not object TO the time schedule
being reduced to eight hours in the
dull season, but they do not want to
work over nine hours at any time.
The only other point that the men
make in the petition that has been
submitted TO the officials Is that they
shall receive the same pay that is
given to the same class of labor by
the other roads, and this, they say,
represents @ 10 per cent. increase
over what they are now getting.
The case of the men is in the hands
OF a committees composed of one
member from each department of
the Consolidation. The officers of
the Consolidation are: President, f.
G. Davidson; Vice-Presidents, G.. w.
Wars and l.. Allen.
Are Well Cared For,
In discussing the question Friday
morning the acting superintendent OF
motor power and machinery said that
he men are now getting higher pay
than those in the employ OF the other
roads, He said, however, that In last
Sundays paper he saw an ccoun
that the Seatoard Air Line had In
~ s4Assa &the pay III its men. Mr.. Mon
cure said further that the men OF his
company have many advantages n
conyeniences not enjoyed by the en-
ploSes OF the other roads in The way
OF private lockers, well equipped law
a~forles. etc. He said that the prin-
ciple has been to maintain the full
force in time of u slump and to de-
crease h working hour rather than
to Lay on men and maintain the reg
HAaf hours
Il cannot say what will be done as
10 the present situation" said Mr..
MUIigurs, lit will be up to MIR. kapps
when he returns to the city. i know
some time 6 the men came to Mr..
kapps asking for a working day OF
nine hours and he told them that un-
der the conditions existing at that
time il could not be arranged. 1
visited the shops to-day and found
everything going all right. IL Is true
that this company has never had any
agreement with its workmen. but We
have always gotten along smoothly.
i This talk of a strike ts Ill strange to
! me and / anticipate no such thing"
n General Foreman of the Shops
III DueIl said that he saw no signs OF dis
Satisfaction among III men and that
ssthey were not preparing TO take n
action SO far as he knew. Il don
rare To discuss the matter" said Mr..
13uelI. there is nothing to 1t, SO far as
y know
New Electric Engine.
Superintendent kappS. General Su-
rerlntendent Charles w. CuIp, w. -.
DIke and several other officials of the
raNa went to Washington Thursday
auni VIII return to Richmond to-day
onha new electric locomotive that Is
belslg tried out No statement could
he &ecured at the ofice relative TO the
lnte1tion of the company as regards
the@aew locomotive, but indications
are Shat the road Is contemplating
USING one or more In the event that
the t2s> being made to-day Is s~atisfac-
tory.