Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-10-19
By Unanimous Vote Re- { fuses to Change Ordinance Requiring Two Men.
FOWLES AND KERWIN ADDRESS CITY SOLONs
klanager of Pine Bluff Company Urges Necessity for Retrenehment-ker.
 win Opposes Change on Ground of "Safety Flrst.''

hn ordinance which sought to r;peal hn old ordinance compelling the Street railway company to operate it's Ears with two-men crews.
 The ordinance was presented to the council by B. T. Mee!xs, conductor in he employ of the Pine Bluff company bfer number of petitions had been read, asking the council to take such hction. MT. Meeks addressed the council briefly, stating that the em- bloyes of the company all desired the bld ordinance repealed and assuring he aldermen that by operating the bars with one-man crews only, the company would be giving the people better car service with just as much Bafety.
 When the several petitions were lead, one being from the mctormen bnd conductors of the company and he others being from patrons of the ,everal lines, Alderman Well objected 10 the council taking the action re- puested in the petitions. He said business conditions have been in- brewing and are improving, and con- luded by urging that the old ordi- bance be allowed to remain in effect until conditions make a change bece ssary."
 Mayor Bloom announced that there vas no ordinance offered Covering he mat ter, hence there was nothing Ieforn the council, but inasmuch as dr. Well had spoken on the matter, e would allow other interested per ons to speak, the council having no Objection.
 It was then that MT. Meeks spoke, oncluding by handing to the city Jerk the proposed ordinance, repeal ng the old ordinance.
 Mir. FOwles Talks.
 General Superintendent B. c. Cowles of the Pine Bluff company poke in behalf of the petitions and etitioners He explained how the eceipts from the car lines had de- reased the past year, the West Sixth venue line in particular showing a fig drop. 37 per cent. The month of eptember. he said, recorded less treet car receipts than any month ince the Pine Bluff company has perated the street cars. 50 far, Oc- pber is IF per cent. lower in receipts han October last year.
 Mir. Fcwles stated that since the inc Bluff company has operated the ar lines, it has increased salaries l| Ter cent. Several causes are re- ponsible for the decrease in the busl- less, he said. There are 17 negro jit- eys in operation, and there are very pany more private automobiles. Mr. owles said the company IS com Relled to do one of two things. either nerats with one-man crews and put 1ree more cars into service, or take If enc car from the Main street ne and reduce wages. He has never let reduced wages, in his twenty ears in the transportation business ut he can see no other solution to he problem now before the company he change will affect only three nsn he said, if the cne-man crew an be operated, and these three men ill not lose their jobs, because the ompany will use them some way ntil three men voluntarily leave the ervice-keeping them year, If nec- esary
 MT. Veil again objected to the pro osed action, saying the company IS ot justified in asking the council to peal the old ordinance.
 Treats Men Nicely.
 MT. Fc'wles explained in some detal' pc very cordial relations existing be- Veen the Pine Bluff company and It's npleyes, stating that the men nave osolute enjoyment of all their per pnal rights. He denied the allega- on by Mir. Veil that the conductors ad motormen were compelled to gn the petition, and stated they luld sign or not sign, just as suited hem. .'--..~ .s.r..,-s.-. < Judge E. J. Kerwin spoke against e proposed repeal of the ordinance
 smg that he was present. on beha Il
 patrons of the Cherry and Easl ~rv k