Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-10
Andcablc Settlement Still Possible

! \ lfFERENCES between the Virginia
- Railway and Power Company and it's
employees will hardly prove irrcconcilablc.
Broad as they may seem now. following the
company's rejection Of demands for A
per cent increase in wages and the adop-
ton Of closed-shop policy, they still can
be composed amicably. That they will be
50 composed, with neither the wage nor the
closed-s shop issue forced to an ultimate con-
clusion, is predicted. The spirit of fair play
which the company always has manifested
towards its employees, the Willingness Of the
latter on other occasions to accept cheer
fully what could be given in reason and TO
abandon demands proved to be unreason-
able. and the loyal attitude OF both toward
the public they serve, lead to no other con-
ciusion. Calm counsel on both sides will
prevail to bring them together in con-
unuance OF their long-standing friendly re-
lations.
The question Of increased wages perhaps
can be determined more easily than any
other involved Based on Mr. Whcclwrght's
figures, $1,590,000 annually would be re-
CURED to grant the mems demands. This
in turn, would necessitate an Scent fare
to save the company from the hands of
receiver. Based on these figures, A per
cent increase manifestly is unreasonable
ana should not be expected. Only recently
following the inauguration OF the Scent
fare, the wages of tho men were raised i'm
proportion TO the increased revenue and
they were granted the further benefit of a
hfty-hfty profit-sharing plan. In this the
company demonstrated It's perfect willing
ness 10 be fair. and if the men now are
not earning a living wage no doubt it will
make any concessions within its power.
What constitutes reasonable concessions
should be easily determinabe by a mixed.
impartial commission, should that become
necessary.
But. as Mr.. Wheelwright points out. this
Is no time to burden the public with an
scent fare. The public has rights which
both sides must respect. 1t is cheerfu,,v
paying the Scent fare because 1t believes il
necessary to continuance of proper trans
portation service, but it should not be asked
TO pay more unless the necessity becomes
imperative. Even in the event OF such i'm
probable necessity. the thousands of work
ingmen and women who depend on the COM
panys various lines could not dig dcoper
INTO their pockets for their daily rides with
out actual hardship.
The issue OF the closed or open shop COOS
deeper and reaches further than tho mos
ton OF wages However, with the lattcr
anlicably adjusted and out OF the way i, &c
not likely that the shop issue will be nm
duly stressed. Tho employees already nos
sess the right OF collective bargaining their
union is recognized. and nothing could ne
gained by successful forcing OF the issue
except enforced observance on the port NJ
the company OF a principle which even
| many union men themselves arc not con-
WINGED should be arbitrarily imposed in all
INSTANCES That possible gain hardly or
sets their probable losses in case OF defeat.
| The territory served by the Virginia Rail.
way and Power Company has been par.
| ticularly free from labor controversies AVID
! the company itself has been most happv
| over long term of years in its relations
| WITH its men. n loyal set of workmen. unon
! "hom the element which is proving so
! troubious in other parts of the country has
, scarcely encroached. For the maintenance
: OF such relations the company the employees
ana the public should give their best, united
| efforts.