Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-26


line with that in many other indus
tries.
Snys deduction Necessary.
IT was not AN agreeable under
taking on the part OF the directors
and officers of this company TO take
steps to reduce the wages OF tho
company's employees. The conclusion
mas been reached. however. that this
must be done in an effort TO keep the
industry on It's feet and at the same
Time render service to the public.
me wage scale proposed would
give regular employment to those ac-
ccptins II at wages from so to 100
per cent In excess of the wages drawn
for like service during the early part
OF the Year 1918, u period of extreme
nigh living costs.
Ihat the wages proposed by this
company are reasonable and Just, has
been demonstrated By the fact that
the wages We're acceptable to the
men In its service in the city OF Pc
tersburg. on its line between Rich
mond and Petersburg, and have been
accepted by old and new employees
OF the company in the city Of Nor
folk Tho company at this latter
point has now a waiting list OF men
who desire to work for these wages.
Following the action of the Board
or Directors. the men were notified
December 81 that on and after jan
uary 10. the new scalc would be made
effective. This two weeks notice
was given pursuant TO contract with
our former employees. The men
asked for Il conference. which Of
course was granted. At this con-
ference representatives of the men
and officers OF this company dis
cusscd the matter fully and freely.
The conditions which seemed to the
directors and officers of the company
to require reduction In wages
were fully presented TO the men: all
questions and inquiries submitted by
them were answered. and all infor-
nation for which they asked was
furnished them. NO further confer
cnce has been held. nor has any been
asked for BY the men, nor has the
company had any Communication
from them or their representatives.
Large Percentage struck.
on sunday. January Is, through
publication OF AN afternoon paper.
the company learned that a strike or
der had been issued and that pursu-
ant thereto. the men would not re-
port for duty on the following morn
'tng. this strike order to be effective
in the four cities In which this com
pany operated. on Monday morning
Il large percentage OF the Company's
carmen failed TO report for duty. eN-
cept in the city OF Petersburg. where
the entire force reported and has
continued in service up TO the pres
ent time.
Some Of the men. both in the cites
OF Norfolk and Richmond, reported
for duty and have continued faithful
in their service. Both in Richmond
and Norfolk. there has been from day
to day gradual increase in the
number OF men employed from resi-
dents in the city and from former
employees OF the company. until that
In tho city of Norfolk. as we have
said. sufficient men have been en-
ployed from new applicants and
from old employees 10 complete It's
list OF necessary men for tho entire
service. In Richmond at this time.
we have approximately $50 men.
some OF whom are old employees who
while others are men who have sought
the service of this company as an OPP
portunity for satisfactory employ
ment. md VIC are satisfied in a few
Gays. the service here. as now In
the city OF Norfolk. Will be fully re-
stored 10 normal.
What Council Demanded.
Under these conditions. we are
called upon TO consider your propo-
si,ions: You. in effect. demanded:
]. That this company Immediately
reinstatc. without discrimination as
TO their seniority, all employees OF
the company. Notwithstanding their
failure to report for service on jan
charge.
g That the wage scale be restored
and that the wage question be sub
mitted to n board Of arbitration.
as n condition or inducement to
this company to yield 10 these de-
mands. the Council proposes:
}. That the 6-cent fare shall re-
main as provided in the present or.
dinancc. We assume that this means
20 August /. though the period TO
which the new wage scale shall con-
tinuc. is not stated.
.. To eliminate jitneys from GER
tain streets traversed by the Vir-
ginia Railway and Power Company.
with certain specified exceptions.
g. That the application of the Vir-
ginia Railway and Power Company
for n motor bus line shall be taken
up by the Committee on Streets i'm
mediately and disposed o.
The adoption of the present 6-cent
fare was. we assume, an action by
the Council Of the city of Richmond,
recognized rs just and proper. Not
withstanding increases in cost of the
service of this company during the
war period. not until August, 1920,
was this company given G-cent
fare. Few. if any. cities in the
United States of the size of Richmond
had fare lcssIthan cents. many of
hem cents. and some 10 cents.
'hese higher rates were fixed by ju-
'icial and regulatory bodies. such as
he Public Service Commissions. as
n Washington and Baltimore. each
Y which cities have had the higher
ares. and even cents.
"Act OF Partial JUSTICE
The action of the Council of the
city Of Richmond was but an net OF