The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-02-10
STREET CAR MEMS STATEMENT.
Have Not Been in Misunderstanding Over
the Present Controversy.

Editor, The Barre Daily Times:
Sir:--Will you please permit us space
in your valuable paper for the following
In regard to the statement OF Manager
Iarabee of the Montpelier a Barre Trac-
ton Co. that Misunderstanding ex-
lists in regard to the strike of the street
railway men, the undersigned wish to
state as follows:
That there is no misunderstanding on
the part of the men regarding the con-
troversy affecting the Montpelier &
Barre Traction Co. and the motormen
and conductors. The committee that has
had in charge the negotiations with the
company officials have reported exactly
as the conferences progressed, and the
men have acted, not on impulse, as his
published interview would infer, but att
err due consideration, as the following
facts will demonstrate.
On December Q, 1913, the recording
secretary of the union, w. ID. Parry, on
behalf Of the men, presented the de-
mands to Manager Larabee, and the
manager stated at that time that he
was very glad that the men had seen
fit to submit their demands early, as IT
would give the officials of the company
ample time TO look them over before the
contract expired Feb. J. 1914, and also
stated that everything would be settled
satisfactorily without any trouble. Also
that he would notify the men when the
company was ready to make reply.
Nothing was heard from the company
until January 2S, 1914. At this time,
conference was held between the officials
of the company and the committee rep
resenting the men. At this meeting, Mr..
Sands. for the company, stated that he
had hoped that the present scale OF
wages might be continued for another
year, but stated that unless he was
called to Boston next day, he would let
the committee know Just what the COM
pany's position was in regard to their
demands. But, if he was obliged to leave
the city, he would reply the first OF the
following week. Nothing was heard by
the men as to whether or not Mr.. Sands
had left the city and on Sunday morn
ing, Feb. l, 1914, at 1890 a. m, meet
inc of the men was held and a report
of what had transpired in the confer
ences with the officials was submitted
to the men. The report was very un-
satisfactory to the men and some OF
them wanted to suspend work immedI-
ately; but in view of the fact that Mr..
Sands had not had an opportunity to
reply, it was decided to await his an
swer. On February L. at 10 o'clock in
the morning, a conference was held with
Manager Larabee and the committee re-
quested the manager TO get in touch with
Mr.. Sands as soon as possible, as the
men were growing very impatient at the
IL. H. E.A, A y
conference was held with Manager Lara
bee and Assistant Superintendent Cory,
at which time Manager Larabee stated
that he had been authorized to submit
the following as proposition OF settle
ment: For the first six months, Is cents
an hour; for the second six months, 20
cents an hour; for the third six months,
81 cents an hour; for the fourth six
months, 2lh cents an hour: for the fifth
six months. % cents an hour; for the
sixth six months, 221a cents an hour; for
the seventh six months and thereafter,
% cents an hour.
The committee at that time informed
the officials that in their opinion the
proposition would be rejected, as it did
not begin to meet the demands or the
desire or the men, and asked if that was
the best the company would do. On be-
ing informed by Manager Larabee that
that was the last word from the COM
many, the proposition was submitted to
the men at a meeting held that night
at midnight, and was unanimously re-
ieeted by them, and it was voted unani-
mously to suspend work at once.
In view of the above facts we ehal-
Ienge any man or set of men to prove
that the men did not know the entire
facts in the case or that they have acted
In hasty manner. On the contrary, we
submit that the men have been patient
and considerable.
Now, as regards the statement OF Man
ager Larabee that the expense OF the
company for paving at Barre, VT, new
trucks for the small cars, new control
lers, repairs at the carbarn, track work
at Dodge's crossing and repairs on steel
bridges has been necessary for the safe
operation of the road. In reply to this
statement we very respectfully wish it
understood that we are not in any man
ner whatsoever opposing any improve
ments that make for safe operation OF
the comfort of the riding public; but
we do not think, nor do we expect, that
we shall be asked to pay for them in
the lowest wage scale that prevails in
any city in New England for like serv-
ice rendered.
Thanking you very kindly for this val
liable space, we are,
A F. Baldwin,
r. Mcclure,
G. H. Reagan,
w. ID. Parry,