The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-03-17
w. R. & E. President Receives
McLarin and Hurley to Dis
cusS Strike Situation.
COMPROMISE is SUGGESTED
company's Head Tells Callers
He Will Never Recognize
the Union.

Clarence P. King, president OF the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company, this morning at 10 o'clock,
At his office, for the first time since
the beginning of the strike, relented
In his announced policy OF never rec
ogni=ing in any manner a union or
ganization as such, wne he received
the officers of the Federal Employees
Union and the District branch to dis
cuss the strike situation.
After a conference at the union
headquarters in the American Fedora
ton of Labor building, H. NJ. Nc
Laren, president OF the Federal EN-
ployes' Union; Joseph H. Hurley, vice
president of that booy and president
of the District branch, and N. o.
Whitford, secretary OF the District
branch, called upon Mr.. King at ihs
office and outlined 10 him a compro-
mise measure, modelled after the sys-
tenn which obtains In Government Of
nces.
Plan Outlined In Times.
The plan was substantially as out
lined by Mr.. Hurley yesterday, exclu-
sively in The Washington Times, en-
bracing q recognition OF the union
as such, but also the adoption of the
open shop idea
On behalf of this organization, Mr..
Hurley, prefacing his remarks by
readin yesterdays Times, said there
would be no attempt to deprive the
company of the vested rights of en-
ployes, but that the rights of men to
organize should be acknowledged
without prejudice either to them or
to those who do not organize.
VIII Never Recognize Union.
81 present to you practically the
arrangement which obtains in the
Government departments where, in
open shop, 90 per cent OF all employees
are union members who work in abso-
Lutte harmony with their non-union
fellow workers. There is never a sug-
gestion Of union there, and no inter-
ferance with the man who does not
belong" said Mr.. Hurley.
~wIH Never Recognize Union,
IT want to recognize the rights Of
men," said Mr.. King, but will never
recognize a union. There is practical
1y no issue between us. We will give
them everything they want, but we
won't allow them to unionize."
Then Mr.. King read his open letter
to the union leaders as It appeared in
the daily press. THAT Is my answer"
Ell aisd, land that's all I'll say"
Text of the Resolutions.
The meeting between Mr.. King and
the union officials was the result of a
meeting last Wednesday night of the
District branch OF the Federal body,
when resolutions were passed as fol-
lows:
Where the combined and unoffend-
ing residents of the District of Co
1umbia, and the daily wage earners
thereof in particular, have become
more or less the victims of the street
car strike now in daily evidence, and
Whereas the most obstinate pur-
poses, advanced by the highest in
teIlectual qualities, avail nothing I'M
less sustained by common sense;
therefore, be 1t
Resolved, that common sense directs
the public receive first consideration,
and employers and employees of the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company are earnestly requested to
submit their differences to the Com
missioners of the District of Colum-
bia, who have handled similar con-
ditions in the past in a most salts
factory manner, for a fair and rea-
sonabIe settlement; and be II further
Resolved, that the course and at
titude Of the Capital Traction Com
pany is highly commendable, in that
It has dealt wisely and Justly with its
employees, protected the rights OF the
public, and defended its own best
Interests.