Evening star., 1901-04-05
RAILWAY MEMS UNIFORMS
CONTROVERSY OVER THE AWARD
OF CONTRACT.
Statement by oficial Of the washing
ton Traction ebmpany-Review
of the DiRerenees.

Duflng the last lew weeks the operating
department of the Washington Traction
and Electric Company fas found it neces-
| sary to dispense with the services OF a
number Of employees. on the ground that
they were not rendering satisfactory SER
vice. The dismissal OF these men was the
main topic of discussion at meetings of the
street railway union-to which some of the
employees of the company @belong-but no
action was taken. because 1t was generally
understood that the company claimed to
have good reason for making the dis
charges, even If that reason was not an
nounced Lately, however, there has
seemed to develop the basis of an issue
between the union and the company, the
opportunity being the company's order that
its motormen and conductors present their
summer uniforms for inspection so that
those whose uniforms were not fit for an
other season, and the new men who have
not yet purchased summer uniforms should
fit themselves with the proper clothing.
The price Of the summer uniform last
year was $14. and the cap S135. The cloth
ing was said to have been entirely satis-
factory both to the men and to the COM
pany, but 1T was furnished not by Wash
ington dealer, but by a Baltimore firm
which mas also been supplying the police
and fire department. A campaign was
commenced against the company and the
Baltimore ciothier, the agitation being
based upon the contention that the uni
lol HIS Coulo be SubDiied more Cheapiy by a
Washington house. Last Friday and Sat
urday circulars were distributed among the
street railway employees urging them to
join the union and advancing as a reason
therefor the statement that You have
been paying S1535 for your uniforms 1t
is little more than they are worth
Saks & Co. and other local firms will make
them and fit you for about $12.''
Regarded as Unfair.
Some of the railroad folks say that was
an unfair statement, anyhow. because the
$1o.35 included the cap. while not by any
possibility could the cap be included in the
$12 price. The union had it's meeting and
adopted resolutions which were promptly
made public. Then the case was taken to
the Central Labor Union and there were
more resolutions adopted confirming and
approving the action Of the Street Railway
Union: all of them based on the idea that
the uniform could be bought for $12 Then
there were committees from the Street
Railway Union and the Central Labor
Union to talk matters over with the Trac-
ton Company.
1t is contended in behalf of the railway
company that the uniforms could not be
sold any more cheaply In Washington than
they were by the Baltimore firm, and that
the Washington house. which was quoted
as being willing to supply the uniforms for
S12, had really bid the same price as the
Baltimore firm, after the bid of the Balti-
more firm had been made public
The Traction Company officials had little
to say about the matter when approa ched
by Star reporter this morning. except to
clothing furnished by the Baltimore firm
had been entirely satisfactory and was up
to rigid specification the Baltimore con-
tract would be continued, so far as the
supply Of summer uniforms for about 100
men was concerned.
1t was suggested by one Of the officials
that one of two other plans might be put
in effect when the question of winter cloth
Ing comes for CO91Gf1arp
company would invite bids from Washing
ton, Baltimore and Philadelphia on iden-
tlcai specifications material and workman
ship to be subject to the most rigid expert
inspection before acceptance-or specifca-
tions might be furnished to all tailors who
would apply for them. and the men would
be at liberty to buy their clothing from
whom they pleased. provided, however,
that it should be subjectgto the same rigid
inspection which would be provided forsin
the first plan. --ssa-
Company Not Interested.
The company has no interest in this
clothing matter except in behalf of it's en-
ployes, said one of the officials this morn
ing. The company and the public expect
the men to wear decent uniforms and the
company will, SO far it may properly do
so, endeayor to protect the men from impo-
sition. If satisfactory uniforms can be pur-
chased for 81 the company would have no
objection to offer, but even then it would
interest,"
ed but unsuccessful bidder would talk
vaguely about s. suit until confronted
with the proposition to sell the goods
There has been some criticism because we
have not dealt exclusively with local firms
The reason for this Is apparent to any one
who cares to give the matter brief consid-
Grafton. IL there was a clothing IA actory
here-and it seems as if there ought to be
no local corporation with any interest in
this community would go elsewhere to pur-
chase uniforms We know, though that
these uniforms would have to be made else
where than in Washington, and we also
KNOW that II the contract We're awarded to
Washington house at figures parallel with
those given US by reliable outside firms the
Washington house would not make any
money out of the transaction. Where, then,
is the advantage of dealing with the mid
die man?
The situation is entirely devoid Of nov
city. The reasons which have prompted us
to do the best could for our employees
also moved the police department and the
post office authorities, and the officers of
the High School Cadets to deal directly
with the makers. If injustice has been done
any one in this matter We are not aware or
it.
Furthermore, let me say that no enlploye
Of this company has made any complaint
to any official either as to the cost or the
quality of the uniforms which have been
furnished. This company believes In Wash
ington and can be depended upon to buy of
Washngtonians whenever the material or
the price offers any inducement, but we
can see no reason why an existing and sat
isfactory contract, by which the rights of
our employees are amply secured, should be
terminate ed. in response to agitation which
has been and is being fomented by ex-em-
ployes whose interest in uniforms has ceas-
ed and for whose services We no longer
have any uSe.