Evening star., 1900-09-20
STREET RAILWAY DIVISION
ORGANIZATION TO AFFILIATE WITH
NATIONAL LABOR BODY.
Charter Obtained From Amalgamated
AssociatiOn-All Local Employees
Expected to Join.

Under a charter issued by the Amalga-
mated Association of Street Car Employees
of America, whose headquarters are in De-
troit, Mich, the great majority of the en-
ployes of the Washington Electric and
Traction Company last evening became af-
fiiated with the American Federation Of
Labor. About seventy-five new members
were added to the local organization at
meeting held later In the evening.
1t transpired during the meeting that the
employees of the company to the number of
about 400 had assembled last week and
formed an organization to be known as
Street Railway Division, No. 161, of WASH
ington, D. c., and elected a full compile
ment of officers. They also selected dele
gates to the Central Labor Union The
secretary of the body was directed to ap-
ply to the national body at Detroit for the
immediate issuance of charter, which
would place them under the auspices OF the
Amagamated Association of Street Kali
way Employees of America, and also COM
plete the work Of affiliation with the Amer
lean Federation of Labor. The request
was promptly complied WITH and, as above
stated, was accepted by the local organi-
zatiOn at last evenings meeting.
1t was stated that there are about $50
men employed in street railway service by
the two companies which control all the
lines in the District OF Columbia. and that
since the organization of the union, one
week ago, so per cent of these have united
with the new local, and that 1t is expected
that all or nearly ALL of the others will be-
come members in the near future.
1t was further stated that the Washing
ton syndicate which controls the Metro
politan and several other companies oper-
ates eleven divisions. including City and
Suburban lines. Men from all these divi-
siOns, including those who have regular
cars we'll as those who are known as
.~,,, :. l1,ar nf
the new union.
Previous to the action of the men. as
stated a meeting of The latter, called by
General Manager Coleman, was held at the
company's barn, at the corner of 10th and
East Capitol streets About $50 of the en-
ployes and a number of wel-known local
labor leaders were present. Mr.. Coleman
made an address in which he stated the
railway company was very kindly disposed
toward its men, and would do all that was
possible for their interests: that If the men
had any grievances il was the companys
manager and lay their complaints before
him. If this were done, and ii was possible
to grant the relief asked for by the COM
plainants, favorable action would be taken.
He admitted, he said that the schedule was
rot as perfect it might be- and that 1t
imposed some hardships upon some of the
men, but that for the present 1t could not be
improved upon. He further said that it had
been asserted that he was not friendly to-
ward employees under his charge elsewhere,
but such, he declared, was not the fact. He
had always been, he said. desirous Of i'm
proving the condition Of the men who might
be under his supervision.
Referring to the street railway troubles
at ST. Louis. he remarked that he had been
spoken of as the man who had produced
the conflict between the railway company
and its employees, but this was untrue. The
railway employees in ST. Louis had he de-
clared. the highest regard for him and were
anxious that he should return there and
again take charge Of the system. Neither
he nor the company, he continued desired
a strike OF the men. and he had no doubt
that all complaints or grievances could be
adjusted without a resort to extreme meas
ures. He was, he declared, opposed to
strikes, and not having had any experience
In that line would not know what to do if
strike should occur He hoped that no
trouble would take place between the COM
pany and it's men, and would be willing at
any time to receive a committee of the en-
ployes and listen to any complaints they
had to make.
When asked if he would receive COM
mittee representing a labor organization,
ther question If he objected to the men
being organized he answered that he did
not.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Coleman's ad-
uTeSS ABOUT St|eELN-I1Ne or tfe employees
marched in body TO Typographical Tenn
pie, where the union was in session.
and united with that body.
The Changes Desired.
1t Is understood that one Of the changes
desired by the men is that there shall be
two shifts Of mOtormen and conductors
each to work nine hours instead of the
system prevailing a present. which COM
pels the men to be on duty thirteen hours.
1t is claimed that in addition to many cf
the men being on duty that length of time
they are forced to lose an average OF one
and half hours each day by the rules
regulating the time under which they report
for duty. If the tWo-shift method shall be
adopted by the company, II is asserted by
the men. steady employment will be given
to most of the extra men and trippers Some
of these latter, II il stated, are now making
as low as % cents per day