The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-05-31
KING DEFENDS Hts
COURSE In STRIKE
Questioned on What He Had
Done to Avert Trouble.
W.R. &c. FINANCES PROBED
Railway Head Tells Senators Com
pany Only Maintained Rights.
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fContinued from First Page.)
the questions were pertinent to test
the accuracy Of the company's state
ment that its finances were such that
It could not reasonably meet the
wage demands Of employees.
President King said he did not
own more than 600 or 100 shares cf
stock in the company at present, al
though he had owned more in the
past and bought some OF it for $50
a share some years ago.
The questioning led to the rela-
tions between the Washington Rail
way and Electric Company, the Poto-
mac Electric Power Company, and
other subsidiary companies. Practic-
ally all OF the facts brought out had
been developed at Congressional and
valuation hearings.
The witness stated the Washington
Utilities Company, which owns about
1880 shares OF stock in the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company,
was created several years ago for he
purpose IF getting control Of all Of
the traction facilities in Washington
for the purpose OF saving operation
waste and putting them all under one
management
Agrees To U. s. Regulation.
He said he still believed it would
have been "a most desirable thing"
Senator Pittman remarked that this
would have given the company a MOI
opoly. in which Congress would nave
TO have assurances against selfishness
on the part OF the company and guar
antees OF uninterrupted service.
The witness replied 1--WE are in per.
feet accord on that thought"
Questions by Senators Johnson and
Pittman developed the fact that the
Public Utilities Commission has no
authority to fix wages or hours of
work for employees OF street railway
companies in Washington. President
King, maintained, however, that the
commission exercises some control
over hours by reason Of its authority
TO regulate schedules.
Under cross-examination,P President
King told Of a conversation he had
with Milton Allies, a director OF the
low, who wished to prevent a strike
He said Mr. Allies had been communi
Gated with by Commissioner Brown
low who wished to prevent a strike
The witness said he discussed the sit
uation with the director and told him
nothing could be done in the way OF
mediating, because there was ne
basis for mediation.
Denies Attempt To Deceive.
The witness denied he wrote tn,
letter OF February % to deceive tn,
men into believing the union woulC
be dealt with. He said he did no
doubt the honesty of purpose on thu
part of the Commissioners when the!
offered to mediate.
President King admitted that for
week or more before he wrote tn,
letter he had been importing strike
breakers to Washington, but denied
he began negotiations in January e
get strike breakers.
Attorney Valley then read a copy Of
an individual contract which the Indian.
apOlis Traction and Terminal Com.
pany made with its men last year. Il
was practically identical with the in.
dividual contract offered employees Of
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company.
The witness denied that he had takeT
particular care to get several score non.
union men in his office on March s 4
Bign the individual contract after thu
union committee had been told 4
would not be dealt with.
Attorney Valley announced at ad-
journment that he would conclude hi!
cross-examination within half an houl
tomorrow.
1t is possible taking Of testimony MAJ