JONES & WILLIAMS
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

ASHEVILLE, N.C.

May 20, 1913.¹

Hon. Locke Craig,
Raleigh, N.C.

Dear Craig:-

Mr. George S. Powell has just shown me a letter which he has written to Colonel Johnson, a copy of which he says he will enclose in a letter to you. I think that Powell's letter sets forth the truth of the situation now existing between the Street Car men and the Light & Power Co. Until the last day or two, I cannot see from the correspondence where the Company claim that there was any misunderstanding relative to the wages to be paid the the 2 year new men. I told the Committee of the Street Car men last night your phone message to me. Powell, Loughran, Jenkins, Hawkins and I had a long talk with them last night and I think we prevented their passing the resolution to strike. The proposition they make, namely, that they will accept the 19¢ per hour for the 1 year men, but they will hold the Company to the 21¢ per hour for 2 year men, is, in my opinion, a fair adjustment of the differences. I see no reason why all the burden of the unfortunate misunderstanding should fall on the men. Of course, the amount of money involved is small and I told them that the Committee of ten would pay this amount, but they said that they cannot accept money from outsiders. The trouble is if the Company refuses to pay this 21¢, then the men would think that the Company did not act in good faith towards them in submitting the proposition.

I most sincerely trust that when he reads Powell's letter and after consultation with you, that Colonel Johnson will yield the point as to the 2 year men. I am thoroughly satisfied that if he does not, nothing that we can do will prevent another strike which, of course, would be most disastrous to the men, to the Company and to the City. I believe that if there is another strike, some mob will commit violent acts.

If after consultation with Col. Johnson you can do nothing with him, then by all means come here immediately and use your good offices to prevent the men from striking. They believe in you and have confidence in you and if there is any one that can persuade them not to strike, you are the man. Col. Johnson might as well understand that if he does not yield the point as to the 2 year men, there will be a strike.

If the Street Car men yield a point, the Company can afford to also yield.

I know that you will do all you possibly can with Col. Johnson and I again urge that if you can accomplish nothing with him that you then come here. Please wire me whenever necessary at my expense or long distance me.

With kindest regards to you and Mrs. Craig, I am,

Yours sincerely,

Thos A. Jones

TAJ/T

1. Though stamped "answered" on May 22, 1913, the governor's reply was not found among his papers.