Evening star., 1917-05-26
PRESIDENT Of v. R. &E.
IS PLACED ON STAND
Mr.. King Says Relations With Car.
men Were Cordial Up }
to Strike. vi

President King of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company was put
on the stand at the hearing this morn
ing by the Senate Investigating COM
mittec shortly before the committee
adjourned until Monday morning at
$780, Mr.. King said that during his
tenure of office the relations between
the employees and the officials of the
company had been remarkably cordial
up to the time when the men, without
warning, struck in March, 1916. He de-
clared that the officials were always
accessible to the men for the discus
sion of grievances and the friendliest
relations existed.
He said the first intimation of dis
nous communications to the public
utilities commission, which were given
publicity by that body in 1915. He said
he had noticed no change in the friend
meeting at the car barn two days be-
lore the strike, when he observed a
coldness which was accounted for two
days later by the precipitate strike.
Strike Comes as Answer.
That strike was the only answer the
men gave to Supt. Moffett's concilia-
tory letter. heretofore introduced in
evidence, he said. Mr.. King corroborat-
ed in detail evidence heretofore given
by others concerning incidents of the
1915 negotiations and the company's
ing with the Amalgamated Association
or in any way recognizing that organ
ixation in making the 1916 contract
with the men.
pany was on the stand before Mr.. King
and was cross-questioned on. some
points of his testimony of yesterday.
1t was brought out today that his recol-
lection disagreed with that of Conn
missioner Newman concerning the lat
ter's version of the conference last
March wherein Mr.. Newman had said
he thought the men would be willing
to enter into negotiations, waving the
recognition Of the union. Mr.. Bowen
at that time to say that 1t was doubt.
ful IL the men would do SO.
Sharply INTERCEPTED.
Senator Pittman took him up sharply
with Interrogation as to why he did
not point out this discrepancy to the
company's counsel at the time he heard
Mr.. Newman's testimony, and he replied
| that he did not take 1t to be his right
| to do SO then.
quiries. Mr.. Bowen said he construed
| the present individual contract with tho
men to mean that the public utilities
| commission can deal now with proposed
| changes of hours and wages. The main
point of that contract is that the men
| agree not to strike In a body.
| Questioned at length concerning
| records on the minutes of the meetings
board of directors. Mr.. Bowen testified
in substance that there is no record Of
action by those bodies authorizing
President King to make individual con-
tracts or to hire strikebreakers. but he
explained that the bylaws of the COM
pany invest Mr.. King with authority
to deal with employing and discharg.
ing labor. II there had been discussion
utes would not\show it unless there
had been action.
| Mr.. Clayton, in behalf Of the citixens'
associations, asked him II 1t was not
| the duty of the company. in the interest
Of the public, to do everything poseisle
| to avert strikes, to which the witness
answered in the affirmative, and added
| that the company had done all that was
| possible to avert strike. The men
had quit work and the company then
had to do tho best 1t could to keep the