The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-05

- -
Iteemen or regretted that difficulties had
arisen which would jeopardize their
earning a livelihood for their dependent
"Td ike to have more money and
shorter hours, 50 as TO provide for my
family better ana spend more time with
motorman. but ! cant AFFORD to lose q
days pay. i am between two fires, and
did what l thought best for those who
are looking to me for bread and butter
IL went to work to earn my pay.
81 don't know whether j VIII have a
job after the strike n over, and I may
have done wrong. but I did not know
what to do. except stick to what would
bring me certain money now"
This motormRn said he was mem
Der OF the union. Several other motor
| men and conductors, also members OF
the union. who took out cars. gave the
| same reason for not joining In the strike.
| Less than half an hour after the
| strike had been called officials OF the
companies began arriving ut the barns
TO get every possible car out and assist
In marshaling the largest number OF
men.
Inspectors Running Cars.
All the inspectors were ordered to re-
port to the barns at once to take the
places OF motormen and conductors and
did so. SevsRl motormen and conduc-
tors who had been detailed for duty
around the barns we're placed on cars
and started on with jeers and boots
from the committeeman ringing In their
ears.
, Policemen. both In uniform and plain
clothes, afoot and on bicycles and
horses began to arrive at the car barns
shortly after dawn. They found little
or nothing to do except to take up
Vigtl and watch for developments.
All the committeeman were orderly
and In the best of good nature They
appeared confident of a complete tie
up on both lines, and expressed gratifi-
cation over the quick and effective re-
suits they got.
The chairman OF each committee was
equipped with a note book and pencil
and recorded the number of each car
That left the Rarn, what time Il pulled
out whether on time or late. and If
men who composed the crews.
President King OH Scene.
Committeeman were detailed 70 watch
the front, rear ana side entrances 10
all of the barns to prevent anyone en-
tering unobserved. Several en- were
sen going into tn baR by the back
entrance. but the committeeman could
vent their being put in uniform and
placed on the cars.
President King, Of the Washington
railway ana Electric Company, arrived
at the East Capitol street barn before
o'clock, having risen at g. when first
advised Of the strike.
Groups Of notormen and conductors
who refused to go to work were stand
dent King informed them that the COM
pany would take care of all loyal men.
He also said the company would pay
$26 as an advance on the profit-sharing
arrangement-not due until December 81
OF this year-to all men who went to
work today. He said the money would
be paid on April I. This inducement
Impressed practically none OF the re-
| calcttrant motormen and conductors.
Mr. King had his statement typewrit-
ten and posted In the assembly room at
the barn, but none of the strikers en-
tered the room TO read II.
Deny Promising 30 Cents.
The committeeman at the East Capitol
street barn said some of the men had
been promised 30 cents an hour-what
the union demands-if they went to
work. but the strikers said they pre-
ferred to have this promise from their
| union officials instead OF from the COM
pany at such time as this.
Washington Railway and Electric
an hour had been promised ony of the
men.
A number OF men not I'm carmen's uni
forms were observed entering the East
Capitol street and navy yard barns, and
the committeeman started an inYestiga-
ton. -sr
They reported the, men who entered
lrhe East Capitol street barn were clerks
and other employees OF the Potomac
Electric Power Company whom the
company intended breaking In aa motor
men and conductors.
The committeeman said the clerks and
ether power company men were taken
to the training school and were given
instructions by inspectors and others IA
inlllar with the operation OF cars
Allege Peril to Public.
The charge was made by practically
every committee at the various barns
that the companies were sending out
cars in charge of men who had not had
sufficient experience or breaking In to
make travel safe for the public.
Many reports were made to the union
organizers of cars being run across
fire stops. of cars being started before
passengers alighted and OF the inability
or some or the men pressed into serV-
ice in the emergency to stop the cars
when hailed by would-be passengers.
OFFICIALS OF both companies said these
charges were not based on fact, and
that every man in charge OF a car had
sufficient training and was fully capa-
Ole OF operating the car s/fely.
Organizer Toone said he had received
| reports that more than a score OF
ing gang near Cabin John Bridge-had
| been taken to the Washington Railway