Evening journal., 1914-03-09
NO STRIKE
YET OF The
TROLLEY MEN
continued From First pare.


sylvania Railway Company during the
strike in Chester in 1907, and showed
letter stating that he entered the
company's employ in 1903, two years
after the strike.
Organizer Pratt today said he did
not know what would be done until
the Central Labor Union met as an
organization. IN speaking Of the
meeting held in Cassidys hotel last
Thursday. Pratt said that Manager
Crook at that time said Boys, l am
in favor of a union and the only
thing ] would like would be for you
to make me president"
Recognition OF the union is the
point now at issue. the trolley men
not having asked for an increase in
wages. Manager Crook Is opposed to
recognizing the union to any extent
that will interfere with the company's
operating policy.
The statement issued last night by
the committe follows:
In view OF the. vague statements that
have been disseminated BY Representa-
tives Of the Peoples Railway Company.
tie employees feel that the general pub.
lic is entitled to know the truth.
Ninety-ive per cent Of the motormcn
aud conductors decided to form am or
ganization for their mutual protection
and benefit Mr.. c. G. 0. Pratt WIS
called in TO advise and direct Us. know
ing of his wide experience ana trust
lworthness.
As our representative, Mr.. Pratt mot
Manager r. W. Crook and arrane ID a
conference for o'clock Thursday az
ternoon at Cassidys Hotel. Seven OF
the employees were present and pariic,-
pated in the conference The discussion
resulted mutually satisfactory. Man
ager Crook pledged his word Of honor
that every mau would be reinstated .gith
the company, that no one would be dis.
criminated against because of his acty
ity in organizing a union He said his
word was as GOOD as his bond. II was
lagccd that the understanding arrived
at should be put in the form Of an
agreement signed by both parties.
No sooner had ir. Crook left the con-
ference than he ucpan 10 plan the de-
struction Of the union. On the following
day friday the seven committeeman
were called into Mr.. Crooks Office and
he told us ito 20 down to the office and
get our money
We stand ready to make affidavit that
the charges "that we had threatened or
tried TO coercc any man to join the
union is fnlsc We have put forth our
best efforts to cooperate with the COM
pany, but We have been shamefully
treated Even when We were on our
way TO attend the conference with Mr..
Crook at She hotel, the company's
agents stood ON the street corner and
4 ..f
us"
We are compelled TO work the viIcst
Swing run system that was ever inn
agined By any company. We are COM
PEELED TO serve from IS to 20 hours out
of every - in order to get a full days
pay Of II to l3 hours.
We only receive a maximum wage Of
20 cents per hour. If the motorman or
conductor has an accident during the
month the wages of both are reduced 70
Is / , cents per hour; il there is no
accident of any kind during the month
tho crew receive a bonus of ] IL cents
per hour OF 20 cents. This bonus only
applies to men over one year in the
service.
The men on the Wilmington and Phil
adelphia Traction Companys lines are
paid as high as "a cents per hour, start
ing in at y cents per hour Their cars
are equipped with air brake and better
facilities than are provided by the Peo-
pies Company.
We feel assured that the citizens of
Wilmington will recognize the justice of
our cause No strike has been declared
by our organization, but the company
has locked out is union employees in
violation of the specific promise of Mr..
Crook that this would not be done.
To further show their malicious re-
sentiment. their hired agents have pu-
sued the discharged members and in.
Inundated them by having -four Of them
arrested upon an absolutely spurious
charge Of threatening 10 do bodily
harm"
We ask the corporation Of every
RIGHT thinking person who believes in
Justice and square deal We urge that
nothino be done by our friends to show
yidie+ cness or resentment that would
In any manner discredit our cause.
Representative leaders of the Central
Labor Union have interested themselves
in this fight and have assured MS of
their active support.
SIGNED
O. NJ. Jester,
Frank j. Elliott,
Il. I. Williams.
Wm. Ernest,
Herbert Haines.