The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-15

AFFILIATE WITH A. F l..

That the strike of the chauffeurs
of the Virginia Taxicab Company yes
1 terday morning was the most impor-
tant action ever taken by autono-
bile drivers in Richmond became ap-
parent last night at meeting of the
chauffeurs at Murphy's Hotel when
a union was formed for affiliation
with the American Federation La
Dor.
Attended by representatives of every
class of auto helmsmen in Richmond,
addressed by several prominent la
Dor leaders, the meeting was crf-
| terion for enthusiasm and well-di-
/ reeted organization. officers of the
union being chosen and steps taken
for affiliation with the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor within the next few
! days,
Every chauffeur in Richmond with
the exception of Il few undesirable
VIII be asked To join the union. and
plans were made for the social and
financial uplift of the auto drivers
| OF the city, II was also decided to
taboo rough house" tactics. common
IN some strikes. and Resort only to
safe and sane" methods
Almost as important as the or
| ganization of the union was the an
nouncement that the striking chauf-
feurs have made arrang ements to on
crate automobiles for public use in
dependent of any company Their
action practically means the forma-
ton OF a new public vehicle concern.
1t was stated authoritatively that eight
cars marked for hire" Will be seen
! in the streets Of Richmond Monday
morning, driven by chauffeurs for
merly employed by the Virginia Taxi
/ cab Company
Strike Declared.
After the meeting was called to
/ order and following addresses by a
number Of leaders in the movement,
/ II was decided that none of the strik-
/ Ing chauffeurs .naii return co the
employ of the Virginia Taxicab Com
! psny under any conditions. 1t was
also decided that no other chauffeurs
In the city shall be asked to quit in
a sympathetic strike
| Chauffeurs employed by the Rich
mond Transfer Company. the rival
| taxicab concern of the Virginia Taxi
CAP company, declare that their
| wages are fair, their treatment at
the hands of employers just and their
situations desirable. ChaufYeurs en-
ployed by individuals also asserted
they were satisfied with their lot.
The only grievance OF the chauffeurs
/ IS against the Virginia Taxicab Com
| pany.
II was further decided that ,~sio-
| lence shall be offered "seabs', or
strike hreakers, that no attempt shall
be made 10 damage the property of
the virginia Taxicah Company ana
! that no chauffeur shall endeavor in
any way to interfere with the bust
ness of the company except in the
-fyf
dependent taxicabs Will be put In
| operation Monday.
Officers Elected
| The chaufTeurs elected T. r, Har-
ris. president; Nj. J. Mills. vice-presi-
dent. and S. l.. Sergeant. secretary
( treasurer. President Harris appoint
ed the following committee on or
ganization Henry r. Shipley. Harry
L. Boyer, +. l.. Hickman David r.
Hillanist. r. w. Arhart. ]. H. Hol-
| lingsworth. John r. Foster, John Fl,
Redwood. Jr.. H. AZ. Cooper and W.
L. Causey.- s' 's4is EGG -
E. c. Davidson, secretary treasurer
of the Virginia Federation of Labor
and prominent as labor organizer
/ made arrangements with the union
4 to see the proper officials for the
affiliation of the union with the
! American Federation OF Labor and
I the meeting was adjourned.
| The strike was the result of the
/ introduction OF a new wage scale by
| Superintendent Harvey. The former
/ wage of 81 q week and 10 per cent
i commission was abolished yesterday
| and instead of accepting the new
/ scale of fiat commission of 25 per
| cent. minus the cost of gasolene the
4 chauffeurs walked out in body. They
! declare that under the new arrange
\ ment they would have to pay the
Il company twelve cents a gallon for
/ gasoiene which costs but nine cents.
/ They also assert that under the new
1 scale they would be unable to earn
a living and some Of the chauffeurs
4 have families to support. One of the
! chaufeurs tested the new wage scale
\ to see how much money ne would
/ earn. In three days. working eigh-
teen hours a day. he says he received
4 net receipts for fares OF $25. His
\ commission. minus the cost of gaso-
iene. was $4.33 for fifty-four hours
! work.