Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-05
URGES MEDIATION
TO AVOID STRIKE
Citizens Federation Suggests
Method for Adjusting Street
Car Troubles.

Mediation Of the differences between
the local street car companies and
their employees by the public utilities
commission is urged by the Federation
Of Citizens Associations in a resolution
adopted by that body at a meeting in
the Chamber of Commerce last night.
Suspending the rules in order to sug-
street car strike. the federation adopt
ed resolution offered by William Nc
K. Clayton of the Brightwood Park As
ISOLATION. declaring:
I'VE believe the employees of the
Capital Traction and the Washington
Railway and Electric companies have
the right to organize.
I'VE believe these men have right
to submit their grievances to the COM
panies through an organization.
The people of the District of Co
companies sell and SO put into their
franchises whatever value they pos
sess, whose patronage makes possible
the wages of the men and the divi-
dends Of the companies. have primal
and proprietary rights in the premises
superior to either the rights Of the
public service corporations or their
employees.
Makes Plea Against Strike.
Therefore, we ask that there be no
strike;
mo suspension Of service:
mo interference with traffic. but
That all the matters in dispute be
settled by arbitration. and the fedora
ton suggests the public utilities COM
mission. acting either officially or UNI
officially, as the peoples mediator be-
tween the men and the companies"
Street car service and public utility
matters generally were considered at
length at the meeting. Prior to intro
ducing the above resolution Mr.. Clay
ton, who heads the federation's public
utilities committee, outlined some of
the subjects which the committee pro-
prove street car service and promote
cooperation between the travelling pub
lie and the traction companies.
He referred to the fact that the COM
panies are required to pay the salaries
Of the crossing policemen, and declared
this to be a burden which should be
assumed by the municipality.
Discussion Of "Fire Stops"
Mr.. Clayton also advocated abolish
ment of many Of the compulsory IRE
stops in order that the time saved may
be applied to the speeding of sched-
uIes; spoke of the establishment of
skip-stops and other expedients which
may be employed for relieving conges-
ton of traffic during rush hours. and
gave a general survey of the traffic
situation.
It is his intention to call a meeting
of the utilities committee within a
few days, and in all probability a pro-
10 60 hi, ySv,sv
together the public and the companies
in a cooperative endeavor to improve
the service will be submitted to the
federation some time next month.
There was considerable discussion
of the fact that three associations re-
Gently have withdrawn from the feder-
alton, and it was charged that this was
the result of the prohibition question
having come before the central body
for action. Several of the delegates
setting forth the federation's position
in the matter. William A. Fowler,
William NICK. Clayton, D. A. Edwards,
w. H. Richardson and others spoke Gu
ton and it's services to the District as
a clearing house Of public opinion.
Response to Criticism.
Mr.. Edwards stated that representa-
tives of two of the associations which
have withdrawn who criticised the fedora
tons methods. had served as delegates
ess than two months, whereas the third
delegate who participated in the criti-
cism had never been seated. During the
discussion reference was made to the
fact that some of the criticism INDUCED
in by the representatives of the dis
gruntled associations reflected upon the
president of the federation. Edward F.
Colladay. with the result that a resolu-
ton expressing the delegates confidence
In Mr.. Colladay was offered.
This later was withdrawn on the
ground that no such action was neces-
sary. The entire discussion was aban-
doned without action being taken. it
being decided that the federation
would pursue a more dignified course
by not replying to the criticism.
In the future the federation may hold
it's twice -a-month meetings either in
the boardroom of the District building
or at the Public Library. D. A. Edwards
was authorized to arrange for procur-
ing one of these places. with the Mu-
nicipal building boardroom preferred,
Vice President George H. Russell, rep
resenting the Park View Association,
presid cd at last nights meeting of the
federation, in the absence of President
TT,n