Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-28
Musser Explains Position
of Railways Company
in Lengthy Statement
up their connection with the union.


In statement this afternoon Presi-
dent Musser explained the attitude of
the company in regard to the strike of
employees and reiterated the stand
taken in the refusal to recognize the
union or have ony more MEETINGS with
committees representing the strikers.
The complete statement follows;
In the discussion of the merits of
! the recent strike of some of the former
employees of the railways company the
public has received wrong impressions
concerning the attitude of the COM
/ pany through the efforts to enlist SYM
pathy for the men who left its employ.
The company has always considered
matters presented by the men and ad-
Justed them. This applies also to the
| question of wages. Notwithstanding
the greatly decreased receipts and loss
| of revenue due to general conditions
and the jitneys, an INCREASE was made
last April, with the understanding that
further increase would be made as
soon as conditions warranted. 1t may
not be generally known, but the scale
of wages paid by the railways COM
! pany has been high than that of any
OF the adjoining larger cities, and only
exceeded by a few of the larger COM
| panies under special conditions.
However, the company realizes that
| 1t is not so much a question of con-
| ditons unadjusted or that of wages,
but the desire on the part of outside
/ organizers to effect a union among
| the men. with all that it implied.
Speedy organization, demands and
strike followed, with the lawlessness
attendant upon strikes. While the men
who left the employment of the COM
pany may not have participated in
lawlessneSs, yet the results in the en-
couragement of those who take advan-
tages of situations thus created are the
same, with the attending RESPONSE
bility. Nor can the strikers control
the organizers in creating dangerous
conditions in the safety and order of
the city.
There is but one policy that the
company can pursue, and that is to
| treat with Its employees in the adjust
ment of any differences there may be-
This 1t has done in an agreement which
is satisfactory to both sides. The duty
tot the company is to operate its cars,
which it has dore ana will do. consist
ent with public safety and protection.
! AS fast as this is assured the more
completely will it perform its duty to
! the public, its employees and the stock
holders whom it represents.
The nonrecognition of the union is
not sentiment, but matter of policy
I in the management of the property of
the company. II cannot delegate the
management and control of its busi-
ness TO an organization which has no
| financial Interest in its property, and
Which from experience has shown that
| 1t can be tyrannical and arbitrary,
subJecting the public TO great incon-
venience and the company to great
| loss. The company has no issue with
the union, but ii cannot be subjected
TO the arbitrary control of its men by
organizers to the detriment of its in
terests.
The railways company believes that
many of the men left its employment
hastily and through fear, and who
preferred to remain loyal to the COM
pany with which they have been con-
nected for many years. A large num-
| ber of the men have remained loyal
and have respected the rights of the
company and their duty to the public.
Notwithstanding intimidation and
threats. The company has satisfac-
torily adjusted all matters, including
wages, with its employees, and now
proposes as far as it is able to operate
its cars on full time with full crews,
and requests from the public, whom it
| is endeavoring to serve, assistance and
encouragement in preserving order
! and removal of false impressions due
to false statements. 1t has not been
| the policy of the company to refute
the many foolish and untruthful state
ments made or allegation as to the
acts OF the officers and stockholders.
Inc pubic must expect statements of
this kind. The company proposes to
conduct its business in digniied man
ner, confining itself strictly to the
operation of its cars, serving the pub
lie and treating with its employees.
The company regards the men who
| LETT It's employment as having resigned
and not as employees. They can only
be reinstated upon making application.
Employment will be given as long as
vacancies remain. which are now be-
| ing filed with temporary men, who
| had to be employed to operate the cars
after the men quit without notice
and will be retained only as long as it
is necessary to carry out the respon-
sibility and duty of the companv TO
the public in the operation of its cars,
All new men now being instructed will
be retained as permanent employees.
| Public opinion must necessarily be
| respect and it's good will secured
| and preserves, but it must also be
| recognized that IL times of excitement
and when the public mind is infiamed
by strike and lawlessness II is difficult
to dispassionately weigh and consider
both sides of the question. While the
business of the railways company is
CT public character. its very nature
is such that to secure efficiency in its
conduct, meeting the varying compli-
Gated conditions as they occur, it can
not be delegated to outside organizing
interests without prejudice. 1t must
be kept in the control of the officers
OF the company, with due regard to
the rights of it's employe and the pub
lie, which position the company has
steadily maintained. In making this
explanation as to its attitude to out
side organizing interests it does so in
order that the public may realize the
business side of the proposition as it
applies to the company.
Having met its employees in a salts
factory agreement and having re-
spected the rights of the public in the
operation of its cars, the company has
nothing further to arbitrate."
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