Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-10-09
LIVING WAGE QUESTION
UP IN TROLLEY MATTER
Promised by Company Not
Sufficient.
wHEELwRIGHT GIVES SIDE
Head Of Virginia Railway and Power
Company Declares Mems Wages
Havc Been Raised but Dividends
Have Been Greatly Reduced.

What really constitutes a living
wage. fair to both the employee and
the employer, bids fair to become the
bone Of contention between the Vir-
ginia Railway and Power Company and
the union of it's employees.
In appreciation of the increased cost
of living tho street railway company
increase in wage of 5 cents per hour
If the COMPANY receives permission to
Increase fares to cents.
But now President. c. G.. Bookman
Of the Richmond street railway union
has issued statement in which he
I'VE do moi. feel that cents an hour
is in c9,mnratSon with the increased
man says thar. the company has made
no provision for any, increase in the
Whcclwrisht Issue. Statement.
lhs Vrsn WhSSslTITEht and president
Company, also issued a statement yes ~s.
tcrday relative TO the conference held
with tho union officials and to correct
any impression created that the com
pauy was unwilling to arbitrate This
statement has been printed in bulletin
men. 1t reads:
From the statements appearing
from a, representative Of Local Division
Railway Employees. there seems to be
Il misunderstanding as to the attitude
OF this company with respect to arbi-
In the memorandum agreed to by
this company and. rs we understood.
division OF The associatian ,bc or the &c
tho following clause:
An matters on which we cannot
hours and other questions affecting
operating costs, are to be submitted
TO bitration-one arbitrator to be
association. both to be employees OF
the company. The. two arbitrators
thus chosen may. if necessary select
third arbitrator
Only in matters affecting outEo from
n fhG - resources $50 nas Of the company has ar
that the company has no power TO
provide the necessary increase in its
reeen"s ,no Other Other cGmpanies may in.
consumer and SO provide for increased
wages. but this company must de-
pend on city and State authorities for
since June 80, 1910, the wages FOR
miotormeh and conductors have been
and 20 cents. maximum, to 81 cents
minimum, and 40 cents. maximum. for
me D xGfn en ihe yea rns q" i2a
preferred stock have been reduced one
half and no dividends provided for
Until there shall be increase in the
fare the company cannot make further
! We have been promised AN increase
or cents per hour. contingent upor
the company obtaining a 6-cent fare
said said Mr.. Bookman in his statement
The present wage scale is: Transpor,
tation department.. % and 80 cents pc,
hour with a lO-cent bonus after five
years employment. MachinistS ant
armaturc winders are receiving II
cents per hour; carpenters and paint
erS, i2lR cents an hour: white laborers
helpers and car inspectors. 32ia to A
cents an hour.
we leave it to the public to deter
mine whether this is fair and living
wage at this time. The companyi
! promise of ii scent increase contin
gent on the 6.cent fare, Will apply t
the mechanical and transportation de
partments but as yet no provision ha.
been made for unskilled white labor
hour is in any comparison with tn,
increased cost of living. Employee
Will hardly consider such"
Two special meetings of street rail
way employees Will be held Sunday
according TO union ofiicials-ome in n
morning and one in the afternoon
These meetings will be held at CO
| lOlnDO Hall WnSt