The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-05
VIOLENCE AVOIDED
BY STRIKING CARMEN
WaIk-0ut Was Only Means Left
to Handle Situation, De-
cIares Organizer.
Continued from First Pase.)

CONTINUED from First Page.)
union men that the strike had been or
dered, formed in n body and went 10
the terminals.
notify the crews on owl cars OF the
strike. They hurried to the lines Of
both companies to get in touch with
these crews.
Navy yard employees and Govern
ment Printing Office workmen who
were leaving these departments during
the early morning hours, were advised
of the strike and either refused to
board the cars sor disembarked imme-
diatelv upon being told that the car
men had decided to tic up both COM
panies.
Refuse to Enter Barn.
The committeeman. each wearing a
green and white union button on which
was printed a street car and Division
ESQ., Amalgamated Association of Street
and Electric Railway Employees Of
America. arrived at the barns Just as
the early morning crews were reporting
to take out the first cars.
Owing to their having to report so
early. these motormen and conductors
did not attend the meeting which be-
gan shortly after midnight. When ad-
vised of the strike. most of the motor
men and conductors refused to enter
the barn and asked for union buttons.
The traffic superintendents at each
barn. who had been aroused at 3 o'clock
as soon as the two railway presidents
and superintendents Of transportation
had been advised by newspaper men
that the strike had been called. impor-
tuned the hesitating motcrmen and con-
ductors to go to work.
A large majority of the men so i'm
portuned simply laughed In the faces
of the pleading superintendents. turned
their backs and walked away.
THE union Is going to win this strike,
and ] intend to stick by the union"
said many of the men. "If / go to
work now and the union wins, as II is
going TO do, l won't have any job when
the strike ends. and the company gives
us what we want"
No Threats Made.
Practically every man who refused to
take his car out Of the barn was mere
ly notified by the union committeeman
that the strike had been called. There
were no threats made by the car men,
but strong argument was necessary in
the cases OF some men who had not
attended the meeting and heard the re-
ports OF the committees which presented
the demands on companies last Wednes-
day. .-: =,
The committeeman said the arguments
were not necessary because the men
were not in sympathy with the union.
but they wanted an explanation as to
why they should not go to work. and
when this was given they Immediately
announced that they would not take
their cars out
Refuse to Leave Barns.
After half an hours experience had
convinced the traffic superintendent
at the barns that the work of the COM
mittee men was most effective, the six
unions sent TO each Darn were or
dcred away from the entrance to the
terminals. -a.9
They refused to leave, saying they
had business there, and that the fnisl-'
ness was to see and talk with each
motorman and conductor who reported
for work and give him some good
news"
For an hour or more the traffic SUI
perintendents and starters engaged in
spirited rivalry With the unionists to
get to the reporting motormen and
conductors first. Good-natured banter
was exchanged by the rival forces for
n short time. In vast majority of in
stances the superintendents retired to
tho barn as the employees walked away
in company with the committeeman.
II was observed that the committee
men refrained from approaching some
of the older employees. who rode up to
the barn in automobiles or horse-drawn
cabs-these vehicles having been provid-
ed by the companies. The committee
men said these older men did not be-
long to the union and II would serve no
purpose to approach them.
In a number of instances the commit
teemen shouted to the motormen and
conductors who took out cars: You
got a job this morning. but you won't
have one when the strike Is settled the
way the union wants its settled"
Old Motornen Weep.
Tears streamed down the faces of
more than half the older motormen who
took out cars. Either they had been i'm
pressed by the taunts of the commit