The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-23
SITUATION IN COLUMBIA.
PROPOSITION BY STREET RAIL.
WAY COMPANY CONSIDERED
BY MEN.
Refused to Recognize Contract With
AmaIgamated Association - State
ment by Cannon.

Wednesday afternoon at o'clock a
committee OF five mOtormen and con-
ductors met with Alfred Wallace, su-
perintendent. and William Elliott,
vice president. of the street railway
company. The officers OF the COM
pany inquired II the employees had any
grievances as they did at the meeting
last Saturday night.
IL was rumored that there was dis
satisfaction I'm regard To the meth
Cd OF counting the money when turn
ed in at night. and the committee
was asked IL there was any complaint
on that account The committee
stated that there was nothing in the
rumor and that the method OF receiv-
ing and counting the money through
"a cashier at night was satisfactory.
The committee representing the en-
ployes suggested that the method Of
appointing motormen and conductors
to their runs be modified. so that the
men could choose lie lines on which
to WORK according to their length Of
service with the company.
The officers OF the company agreed
TO the change.
The committee proposed that i'm
spectors should Immediately notify
motormen and conductors of any vio-
latiOn OF rules. The impracticability
OF this change was discussed and
IL was agreed that the inspectors
should notify the employees as soon
as practicable. but not later than the
return trip to the transfer station.
This modification was satisfactory to
both the committee and the company.
The representatives of the COM
pany stated that they understood that
an increase OF pay was desired and
asked what increase the committee
thought would be right. The commit
tee said that they considered that an
increase Of two cents per hour per
man should be made.
The company's representatives stat
ed that the company would make an
agreement with the motormen and
conductors for the increase Of two
cents per hour to begin on January
next and prevail for two years from
that date.
The committee OF employees said
that the terms were satisfactory but
iTs'f'ci thsi lie aSrccmnt should
he made wi,h ihc Amagamate1 ts-
sor'at'on ~ street and slccua. Eal-
wtv Emp'os,s ~ America arl th1t
ODE agreement sab.n.' 'tel r wr re
TO the company some time since
should be signed providing for arbitra-
tion Of all matters that may arise in
the future and that no employe shall
be discharged without the approval
OF the officers OF the Amalgamated
Association. and in case Of disagree
ment providing for arbitration.
The Representatives of the company
stated that the company would sign
an agreement with the motormen and
conductors covering the matters
agreed upon at the meeting but would
not sign an agreement with the
Amalgamated Association. and would
not sign the written agreement sent
the company by the Amalgamated as
sociation.
The committee asked for a state
ment from the company as TO its at
titude in regard to the employees
maintaining their organization. The
position OF the company. outlined by
the officers. was now. as IL has been
for many years. that the company did
not oppose the organization cf the
motormen and conductors and did not
oppose the maintenance Of the or
ganization ana would not discriminate
against or In favor of members OF an
organization. nor would II discrimi-
nate against or In favor Of those not
In the organization. and that the offl-
Gers OF the company were ready at all
times To- meet the employees In body
or through committees for discussion
and agrcemen; regarding grievances
and all matters concerning their en-
ployment.
The street railway company was
notified Wednesday night that the mo-
tor'nen and conductors were not will
ing 90 rcttle the matter on the basis
abOve outlined. \ conference was held
last night. but nothing was given out.
u is not known what action the
mot"rmen and conductors will take.
The following statement was given
out last night 10y the representatives
Of the street car men: