Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-05

Aside from the main grievances OF
the men, as to shorter hours. more pay
and recognition. presented to the rail-
way managers a few days ago by their
committee, the grievance which last
night occupied the most attention was
what the men claim Is the poor pros
pect they have Of arbitration They
declared they placed no reliance In the
plan announced yesterday afternoon by
the Capital Traction Company for
meetings at 1890 am. and pm. to-
morrow night between the employees
and employers, and said that If those
meetings were held the officials OF the
company would endeavor to persuade the
men to trust to them.
Do Not Want Promises.
1t was evident last night as soon as
the meeting began that the men pres
ent would not be satisfied with prom
ises, and that they intended to insist.
in some form or other, upon their ar
bitration plan being carried out. By
their hearty applause at every point
made by labor leaders who addressed
them they showed their reliance upon
the labor leaders and their confidence
in the outcome. Addresses were made
one of the organizers who have brought
the men into the big union. and by
Rein Orr international treasurer OF
the Amalgamated Association OF street
and Electric Railway Employees.
At / o'clock this morning statement
outlining the position of the men was
made public at the gathering. 1t is as
follows:
Claim Right to Organize.
The decisive action taken by Dr.
vision No $50. Amalgamated Associ-
alton of Street and Electric Railway
Employees of America, was made neces-
sary because of the attitude of the
traction companies of this city. The
right of workingmen TO organize for
their own mutual benefit and protec-
ton is conceded by every progressive
element in society
Upon the organization of the union
of street railway employees committees
were appointed to draft a wage scale
Incorporating increases in wages and
relieving onerous conditions. These
wage scales were presented to the COM
panies by committees in writing. and
with letter asking that an answer be
returned that the men responsible for
the presentation OF the new wage
agreement might be made aware of the
attitude Of the companies.
The companies not only refused to
answer the communications regarding
the new wage scale proposed, but have
discharged nearly every member Of the
committee presenting the new wage
scale-in fact, only one member of the
two committees remains In his old posi-
ton. In addition to this. approximately
sixty men have been discharged for no
other reason than that the officials of
the companies desired to make an e1-
ample Of men who had Joined the union.
Further than this, men have been dis
charged only on suspicion that they
erph n w he in
fact they were entirely innocent.
Letter to Each Company.
Notwithstanding the arbitrary posi-
ton assumed by the companies, in an
effort to avoid a strike. the commit ees
representing the organized traction en-
ployes forwarded a letter to each COM
oany offering arbitration, which offer
was without any qualifying or obnox-
iouE conditions attached to the offer.
1t was wide-open proposition to ad
just the differences between employer
and employe according to twentieth
century methods. which, II it had been
accepted by the companies, would have
given the employees Of the traction com =
panies an opportunity to present their
grievances to an arbitration tribunal
and likewise the companies an equal
opportunity to present their side Of the
question. This method. had 1t beer
adopted, would have prevented any
dislocation of the traction service and
melted out justice to the employees OF
the street railway companies.
1T Ii true that the companies did d.
rect communication to the committee,
seeking the new wage scales and Offer
ing arbitration. but this communicate tor
was not an acceptance Of the offer OF
arbitration. but clearly indicated that the
companies were unalterably opposed &c
NvNl@
lective way to adjust their grievs noes
Propose Arbitration.
The newspapers Of the city. in deal
Ing with the present organization o.
the traction employees. have. withou
exception. championed arbitration a