Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-17

ter that wrongdoers have done things
| cannot in the interest of public policy
| be made the basis of claim by them
or on their behalf that they should be
collectively or otherwise contracted
with, or that company in the exercise
| of its lawful franchise and performance
or Its public duties should not be al
lowed to continue therein without let
or hindrance. but. on the contrary, is
entitled to the support and aid of the
public authorities.
with respect to your statement that
the District of Columbia is sharing its
loss in per cent of the gross receipts
OF the company lost through these un-
lawful acts, permit us to call your at
tentlon to the fact that under the acts
of Congress chartering the street rail-
way companies it is expressly provid-
ed that they shall at all times have "A
free and uninterrupted use of the rail-
ways they are authorized to construct
and operate. and-if any person or per-
sons shall willfully, mischievously or
unnecessarily obstruct impede the
passage of cars on the right of way
with vehicle or vehicles, or other
wise, or in any manner modest or in
terfere with passengers or operators
while in transit, or destroy or injure
the cars of said railway or depot or
stations or other of the property be-
longing to the said railway they
snail be punished as therein prescribed.
Pays for Protection.
Doubtless through the suddenness of
the outbreak and the number of Of
lenses following the calling of the
strike by the amalgamated association
there resulted denial to the railways
OF the right to a free and uninterrupt-
ed use of our property thus given. We
bee to remind you that 1t is for this
protection that we are. among other
things. called upon to contribute to the
expense OF crossing policemen and to
pay the tax OF per cent on the gross
earnings of the company, and that the
loss OF revenue to which you refer
may not be charged to the railway
company. which has been guilty of no
wrong. but to the wrongdoers who are
now seeking your mediatorial serv-
ices.
1--WE believe that you realize and
are now prepared to give protection in
the free and uninterrupted use of our
railways which we are entitled to re-
ceive under express acts of Congress,
and as soon as the wrongdoers are
forced to obey the law and to desist
from interference with our free and
uninterrupted use of our railways there
Will be no inadequacy or impairment
of service: no Inconvenience to the
public, no endangering of the safety
of either the employees or travelling
public, and no diminution of the taxes
regret the strain thus imposed on the
police department in protecting per-
sons and property and in preserving
the peace and order of the District,
but we are not to blame for this. but
rather those persons who persist in
law1ess acts and in furtheranoe of a
concerted effort to prevent the dis
charge of our charter obligations.
I'm conclusion. the president and
directors want to go record in
favor of the open shop in reality. dis
eliminating neither for nor against any
man whether belonging to an organiza-
ton or not; but insisting always that
whatever utilization may be made there
shall be no disloyalty to the company
and the public it serves. AS the COM
pany is answerable in law for the acts
of its employees in thus serving the
public. it is in duty required to see that
no employe is put beyond obedience
to strict discipline. We believe the
contract offered the trainmen fairly
accomplishes this purpose. assures to
our trainmen fair treatment in the adj
justment of grievances. with the right
of appeal for final decision to the
public utilities commission, and above
everything else assures to the public
uninterrupted and efficient service"