The Washington times., 1917-02-27
ASK MEN TO AID
INAUGURAL SUCCESS
W. R. & E. Co. Appeals to Men
to Defer Wage Issue TIL
After March 5.
tcontlnued from Fir.t P.g..l

CONTINUED from First Page.)
Of contract with the Amalgamatsd
Association, with which we have had
no agreement.
The existing agreement between
this company and its trainmen. which
you signed. as you are aware. does not
expire until March IL, 1917. and was
entered into through the mediation Of
the Board Of Commissioners Of the
District OF Columbia, who, at the sac
rfnce of much time and Inconvenience,
lent their efforts to the consummation
thereof.
you participated in those enorts,
as representing all OF the trsInmen,
and know that the proper adjustment
of the many questions which will arise
as result OF any effort to modify or
change the conditions of that agree
ment will require the cool. the care
full, and the undivided attention OF all
parties directly interested. a. well a.
the entire time Of mediatoriaI board.
You know. further. that the Board
of Commissioners of the District Of
Columbia, each officer Of this com:
psny. and every one of its employees,
must from now until some days after
the Inauguration OF President Wilson
devote their time. attention, and en-
ergies to the duties and obligations
which all and each of us owe to the
entire country in properly caring for
the visitors who wish to attend that
- "a l. Il I'll -
of our trainmen, to whom the safety
and comfort Of so many visitora to
their National Capital Is committed.
The company, its officers. and en-
ployes are even now called upon 10 meet
the unusual traffic conditions that arise
from the influx of people who wish TO
attend the inaugural ceremonies
we therefore trust that all Of our en-
ployes will not only prove loyal 10 the
company. but to the city and country. In
their share for q successful
inauguration
when we shall have discharged this
duty. which all Of US owe to the Presi- /.
dent and ehe nation. we viii have ample
time to calmly consider the situation.
and shall be pleased to take up any mat
ter pertaining to the interests Of our en-
ployes. as we have always been willing
to do"
Bound Until March IL.
Officials of the union said today
that according to the terms Of the
agreement reached last year the en-
ployes were bound until March II.
the date of expiration
They pointed out that far from
having a sinister or Interior motive
in view by presenting the demands
last Friday, shortly before the inaug-
uration. that the new agreement was
submitted with a full knowledge and
that there could not be
any discussion OF the terms Of the
agreement during Inauguration.
I'VE fully realize and apprecite the
resting upon the street
car men during teh inauguration and
the duty OF rendering the best serve
Ide TO visitors and ali others during
that period.
"It is not the purpose Of the union
or its members to commit any overt
act which would mar the inaugura-
ton. We hope It Is not the intention
OF any one else to do 50.
Men Know Their Duty.
we have no difficulty in discerning
our duty to the city and the country
during the Inauguration period. II is
a problem, however, to prevent our
organization from being irritated and
worked up over the actions of the
Railway and Electric
Company.
This company has imported more
than forty strike-breakers to wash
ington, men who boast of the beliger-
ent part they took in the strikes In
New York and Philadelphia. These
men have been here since the new
agreement was presented. They are
ven bold nough to, come to the head
quarters of our union to tell Us out
landiah stories of double crossings
and cupidity.
at is difficult IL not impossible for
the members of our union to per
suade themselves that these strike
breakers have not ben brought to
at this particular tim to
bait our members on to the commits
sion of some unadvised word or act
which might adversely affect tbs
union and its welfare"