The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-05-08
CAR STRIKE INQUIRY
BEGUN BY SENATORS
Groundwork Is Laid for Probe Of
Conditions.

there had been no conferences be-
tween attorneys representing the two
sides and that issue had not been
Joined by them in advance OF the
hearing.
Attorney Valley created a ripple OF
mirth when he announced that while
he was willing to confer, II don't
think the company has any case" At
| torney Hoover was quick to recipro-
cate in similar terms.
Attorney Valley stated that the
first witnesses to be called by the
men would be Commissioner oliver
p. Newman, Commissioner Louis p.
Brownlow, and william Blackman,
conciliator for the Department OF
Labor.
May CrOss-ExamIne.
The committee decided that attor-
neys representing both sides should
have the right to cross-examine all
witnesses.
Asked to define the issues involved,
Attorney Valley said: THE paramount
outstanding issue Is whether Clar-
encs P. King. president of the wash
'ngton Railway and Electric Com
pany, shall be permitted to defy
Columbia. including the President OF
the United States"
Attorney Hoover said the para
mount issue as seen from the COM
pany's standpoint was: Whether this
company shall be forced to make a
contract with the Amalgamated As
ISOLATION OF Street and Electric Rail
way Employees OF America There IL
no question of defiance Of constituted
authority and no question of hours
or wages involved"
In his statement to the committee
Attorney Vahey said the employees
were not insisting that the union be
recognized nor that the closed shop
principle be adhered to.
Details the Story.
He detailed the story Of the formation
Of the local division Of the Amalgamated
Association by the company's employees
in 1916. referred briefly to the strike OF
last year and its settlement and cited
the correspondence which passed be-
tween the employees and company prior
to the present strike.
President King has refused to con-
slider arbitration OF anything" said Mr..
Valley. He refuses to entertain any
| suggestion from anybody. While he
was beguiling the men into a sense Of
secruity he was importing strike
breakers to take their places.
THE men have repeatedly offered
to submit to any tribunal the ques-
ton OF whether they should have a
union. whether they should have a
| contract with the company. and ev-
erything else involved in this matter,
but President King will not consent
to anything.
THE employees are willing now, as
they were before this strike, to sub
nit the entire controversy TO arbitra,
| ton, and abide by any decision that
may be given"
Wants All Facts.
At this point Senator Johnson said
he wanted all the facts laid bare
of the mere question as to whether
the present strike should have been
arbitrated would serve any useful
purpose. and that he wanted to go
deeply into "the whole thing, wages,
hours, and conditions"
Senator johnson then asked Attor-
ney Valley several questions as to the
hours and wages OF the men.
Attorney Valley said the men were
willing to go thoroughly into -.
matter or merely have Ihe question of
responsibility for the present strike
settled by the committee.
Attorny Hoover began his state
ment by saying that prior to the
formation OF the union the men were
well treated and satisfied with their
wages and hours. He briefly detailed
the circumstances leading up TO the