Evening star., 1917-03-14
Officials of W. R. & E. Com
pany Say the Trouble Is
Practically Over.
UNION LEADERS REPORT
THEY ARE IN FIGHT TO WIN
Statements by Both Sides Decidedly
Optimistic-Report on Number
of Cars in Service.

Street cars were operated on all the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany lines today, despite the strike,
with even less disorder than the oc-
casional disturbances OF yesterday.
Officials Of the company claimed that
more cars than usual were out at mid
day, and said that total Of 1s1 cars
were on the tracks during the early
morning rush hour. Extra cars were
sent out. the company stated. ito make
up for such interruptions as unavoid-
ably occur"
Both the company and officials of the
tic statements.
Clarence P King, president of the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany, and others of the officials said
the strike was virtually over SO far as
they are concerned.
The only strike the observer now
can see is that reported in the news
papers," said Mr.. King. I'VE now are
beginning a policy of organization or
our force. New men are applying for
positions, and they are being trained
under c. e. Elliott, chief instructor, at
the Lincoln Park barns. We are work
ing to build up a loyal organization OF
men, with company first as their
slogan"
Statement by Employees.
A statement from the leaders of Di-
vision $50, Amalgamated Association Of
Street and Electric Railway Employees
of America. began:
The situation this morning is very
good Our men are standing nrm
and we are becoming better organized
every day. We now have our member
ship divided into seven districts; TO
which men report every day. These
districts are handled by two commit
teemen, who direct the pickets in their
work
The union men assert that the strike
is far from broken, stating that the
ma jority of the cars are still operated
by temporary "strikebreakers. point
ing out that no union men have signed
individual contracts or applied Tor po-
sitions, and arguing that the company
the IS day they are paying the strike
breakers, not to mention the alleged
failure Of the majority of these men
to ring up fares.
Vice President Hams Statement.
At u 80 o'clock W. F. Ham. vice presi-
dent Of the Washington Railway and
Electric Company. gave out a statement
giving the number Of cars in operation.
the time cars went out on each line and
promising the public that cars would be
operated tonight on all city lines. This
statement follows:
Service today is greatly improved and
subject to less Interruptions. We were
able to get our cars out much earlier.
The time of the first car on each line
follows: Ninth street 8 :o2 am Bright
Cabin John. am: Connecticut avenue.
6 am: Columbia. 5: :35 am: 11th street.
40 am: 4th street 30 am. East
Washington. 6 am North Capitol; . 30
AS am: Forest Glen. am; Tenley-
town. 5 As am
I'VE are operating more than our usual
midday schedule in order to make UP for
such Interruptions as unavoidably occur.
A total of 191 cars were operated during
this mornings rush hour. We are con-
stantiy building up our permanent force
through applicants. who are being taken
on daily and who are put through an in
tensive course of training.
Service will again be operated tonight
on all city lines. and it is expected that
the schedules tonight can be maintained
night. when operation was subject to
many Interruptions
Statement From Union Quarters.
The statement from union headquarters.
signed by G. A. Wilburt. John w. Cain
and NJ T Slater for the union men, in
addition to the paragrap phi quoted. follows:
Meetings of the men are held each day
at the respective places in the districts.
There will be meeting this evening be-
tween our committee and the executive
committee OF the Central Labor Union of
Washington FOR the purpose Of arranging
a demonstration and public mass meeting
TO take place next Sunday at some point
to be agreed upon by these committees
Many citizens not connected with the
labor unions are calling on us every day.
and encouraging us to stand united and
not to give up our fight and assuring us
of their cooperation and support.
I'VE note in the advertisement that
Mr. King, president of the Washington
and Electric Company. is still
claiming that We had demanded that
all employees should become members
Of our union. Mr.. King well knows
that that proposition was withdrawn
and that we offered to accept on that
question the same proposition that was
granted the Capital Traction Company
and accepted by their employees.
Claim Issues Are Clear.
But we note also in the King ad-
that he does not inform
he public that prior to the time of
he formation of our union the COM
,any did have what they called a bene-
icial organization, which they COM
,elled every employe to join. and If
ne did not he lost his job and was
dismissed from the service of the
Railway and Electric Com |
oany.
I'VE again repeat that the issues in |
his struggle are clear. We are demand
ne the right of dealing a body. of |
objective bargaining which the com |
,any is opposing for financial reasons. |
The condition of our employment up |
O last Sunday was that We had to /
erve an apprenticeship Of ten years be- |
ore we reached the maximum pay of /
4 cents per hour this being practical |
v the longest period and the lowest |
wages prevailing in America. 1
I'VE would ask you to compare the .
ia ximum pay after ten years prevail !
ng in Washington, which is u cents
,er hour, with that paid to the mem
,ers of our association in some of the
,ther cities where the employees are or
"a nized and have established the right |
II collective bargaining. Worcester,
lass. after three years in service,
avs "a cents per hour: Detroit, Mich,
Lfter eighteen months in the service,
,ays 35 cents per hour: East Liverpool.
ohio, after three years in the service, /
,ays 81 cents per hour: Pittsburgh.
i