Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-26
THE MEN FILE CHARGES
Columbia Oablemen Resent the Conduct Of
Their Superintendent
Both Sides VIII Be Heard Mt Once and
tho Matter Adjusted
Amicably.

The employees on the Columbia cable line
have finally prepared their complaint
against the superintendent Of the road. Mr..
Boteler. and yesterday they filed their
charges with the president of the road. Mr..
Baker. The men do not care to reveal the
nature of the allegations brought against
Mr.. Boteler and will not talk about them.
1t is understood, however. that the princi-
pal complaint is that the superintendent
has made the men a good deal of trouble
because of their determination to Join the
Railway Protective Union. He Is said to
have condemned the move on the part of the
men and to have suspected that 1t was de-
signed to make the road, and himself in par
ticular. considerable trouble whenever any
question of difference should arise between
the men and the officers of the company.
1t is also said that Mr.. Boteler has made
threats against certain employees. and the
latter claim to be in constant dread Of dis
charge for some trivial offense in violation
Of the rules of the road. The charges will be
considered by the officers of the road. and
the men and the superintendent will be
given a chance to be heard in their re-
spective versions of the difficulty.
Resenting n Suspicion.
The men took 1t as very severe refiec
ton upon their manhood and their loyalty
to the company that Waterman was sta
disuse. the reason for this precaution be-
ing. it is alleged, fear that the men would
set it afire They attribute this action en-
tirely to the superintendent. Last night the
Waterman was removed from his unpleaS-
ant duty, and the men feel better today
about the matter, although they obstinate
ly decline to believe that Mr.. Boteler of his
own motion had the Waterman ordered off.
The men are confident that when all the
facts are heard by the officials of the Co
1Yrr,o h linz fhn1y xxyil1 ha o.
tanned in their position, and the superin-
tendent will be removed. There seems to
be no possible reconciliation or compromise
between the men and the superintendent.
President Bakers Statement.
Mr.. Baker, the president of the road,
when seen by Star reporter, said: Il do
not care to talk about this matter until /
have heard just what the trouble is
think we have as fine class of men EN-
ployed on our road as there is on any line
either here or elsewhere. We have found
them faithful and efficient, and have al
ways tried to be appreciative of their good
service. For instance, last winter during
the blizzard our men kept our service up
to the schedule right through that awful
weather. They did it from their sense OF
duty and without our pushing them to It,
l believe ours was the only road in Wash
ington that did run on schedule time, and
the credit belongs to the men, AS soon as
the storm was oast l called the directors
together and We voted the men all an ex-
ira two days pay for what they had done.
That cost US upward Of 500. The men
have always expressed themselves as salts
fed with the road ard the management
under the present officers. Their complaint
seems to be against the superintendent and
no one else. Now. as to that, l have no
hesitation III saying that as long as am
the executive of the road we shall not
be dictated to as to who shall run the road.
We shall give hearing to both sides, OF
course. Beyond that l do not want to say
ANYTHING now"