The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-22
ESQ Street Car Men Will
Receive Additional Two
Cents Per Hour.
MEANS NEARLY 81a
PER CENT INCREASE
Wage Contract Not Affected
Eligibility Plan Will Aid
in Bettering Service.

The Wheeling Traction Company
yesterday announced, ei1ectlye Janu-
ary /. a bonus plan, whereby each
trainman in the service on all its lines
| entering Wheeling, including the Pan
/ handle line, will receive bonus OF two
cents per hour as shown on the pay
roll for each half month, conditioned
on the record of each trainman being
such that it comes within the standard
established in connection with the DO
nus plan.
The effect of the bonus plan will be
| To enable each trainman in the service
of the Wheeling Traction Company to
secure an increase in wages amount
ing to almost eight and one-half per
cent. and means an increase OF some
thing like $4,000 in the annual pay
troll of the company. About $50 train
men, including the system as far up
the river as Steubenville, Ohio. Will
share in the plan.
! The action of the Wheeling Traction
Company in granting this bonus Is en-
tirely voluntary. and the two cents per
hour is in addition 10 the wages pald
under the existing contract between
the company and the men. The. con-
tract is to be affected in no way.
In an official bulletin announcing
the bonus plduS III IH ttainniInt -
Wheeling Traction company refers TO
the fact that business conditions are
abnormal; that manufacturing plants
are rushing at d strained capacity and
are reaping the double harvest OF in
creased output and increased prices,
enabling them 10 meet the require
ments Of their workmen for abnor-
finally high wages in order TO meet the
higher prices for the necessities or
! life,
Economy is Urgent.
While this is true, it is pointed out.
street railway companies are also
doing an increased business, but at
the same rates as were in effect be-
! fore the abnormal business and IN
dustrial conditions began; while on
| the other hand running expenses, ike
living expenses, have gone up, so that
while during The present year, begin
ming January ] the street car conf
panies have carried more passengers
than during the same period last year
| by 20 per cent the running expenses
OF the companies have increased In
the same period about rs per cent,
| and the practice Of economy is urgent.
When the trainmen's contract was
made in 1915, the announcement
points out, it was considered that 1t
| took care OF Inc lamlIleS OF the tTdIu-
men were believed to be provided for,
but the unusual increase in earnings
on the one hand and the unusual IN
crease in personal living expenses
were not foreseen then. Wishing now
to adjust matters fairly to all CON
cerned, and in view of the uncertainty
as to duration Of the present situation
and the additional operating expense,
| the bonus plan with the sum Of two
cents per hour in addition to contract
pay was decided upon.
/ Must Have Good Record.
In keeping themselves eligible for
the bonus with each half months pay,
tratnmen are instructed that they are
expected to be courteous to and care
| full OF passengers and public, maintain
and attract business. be careful TO col
Ilect all fares, take good care OF equip
ment and be economical with power,