The Washington times., 1917-05-10
Newman Sheds New Light
on Strike.
NEVER TOLD, OFFICIALS CLAIM
Commissioner Reads VOluminOus
Correspondence at Probe.
(continued from First PAGE


called to the witness stand Senator
Pittman announced no signs OF ap
proval or disapproval by the audience
would be allowed. A similar warning
was conveyed to the crowd in the
hall.
Commissioner Newman was ques
toned by Attorney Valley regarding
correspondence he had with President
King in 1916 relative to the circuls
tion of a pamphlet by the employees
in which II was asserted the company
had recognized the union. A letter
from Mr.. Newman to President King
Informing the latter that the employees
refused to withdraw the pamphlet
from circulation was read.
The witness said no complaint
against the conditions or terms Of
the 1916 working agreement was
made to the Public Utilities Board
during the life of the contract.
Mr. Newman then told of the visit
OF q committee representing the en-
ployes to his office late in February.
THE committeeman told me they
were doubtful as to whether the COM
pany would renew the working agree
ment with the men," said Mr.. New
man.
They said the company was break
ing in q number of new men and
importing strike breakers"
Mr.. Newman then read a letter
written by him to President King
on March asking for a conference
sin view of the approaching termina-
tion OF the working agreement be-
tween the company and its men,"
The witness said that having re
ceived assurances from the men they
would be glad to have the Commits
sioners act as mediators, he rendered
the boards good Offices to President
King.
"The outcome Of our offer is best
told in a statement which / gave to
said Mr.. Newman.
The statement contained the in
formation that our god offices had
been firmly declined
Wanted Individual Contracts.
What reason did Mr.. King give for
declining?" asked Senator Jones.
He said the working agreement
had not proved satisfactory to either
the company or the men, and that the
company had prepared an individuh
contract for it's employees to sign"
Had the company maze any com
plant to you about the 1916 working
agreement being unsatisfactory"
asked Senator Jones.
None except the complaint about
the pamphlet" said Mr.. Newman.
Commissioner Newman told of the
various efforts Of the board to medi-
ate. all Of which were rejected
did you get the impression that
AFR. King was unwilling to submit
~. - 81
Senator Jones.
at was more than an impression,
IT was q positive statement by Mr..
King" replied the witness.
Questioned by President King as 10
whether the men discussed the in
dividual contract with him, Mr.. New
man said they had, and that they
were very much dissatisfied with il.
They told me they believed the
contract abridged their rights and
liberties, and that to get the hours
and wages mentioned in It they would
have to sign away certain OF their
rights" said Mr.. Newman.
The witness then read a letter he
wrote to President King March IL,
renewing efforts to mediate, and urg-
ing the traction magnate not to put
strike breakers to work before fur
ther endeavors were made to render
. strike or lockout impossible. Mr..
Newman said that in the name Of the
public he addressed a letter to the
employees urging them to take no step
before further efforts were made to
prevent an open break.
The employees replied they would |
accept the good Offices Of the board"
he said.
They proposed that the company
withdraw the individual contract and |
keep strike breakers of the cars, in |
of which the employees |
would remain at work pending the I
settlement OF the controversy by a
board OF arbitration composed of /
Samuel Gompers, President Wilson
and one other man."
The witness then real President
Kings reply renewing his decIara-
lion to arbitrate, refusing to deal
with the Amalgamated Association
md informing the Commissioners that
he company had arranged for sex
oerienced operators TO take the place
II the employees who suspend work"
Held Midnight Conference.
Our next step was to invite
George Wilburt, president of the
inion, and his associates to a con-
erence at the Department OF Labor"
aid Mr.. Newman.
~This conference was held at mid
light while the employees were in
ession at the Lyceum Thester
I'VE asked Wilpurt and his asso-
iates to urge his men not to strike.
secretary OF Labor Wilson, also ad-
Used that the men be urged net to
trike.
"WiIburt replied that the temper
4 the men was such that they would
repudiate any such sug-
,cstion.
Secretary Wilson called Mr.. King
a the telephone, informed him that
be individual contract was offensive
o the men and asked that IL be with
rawn. Mr.. King declined"
did the men do everything they
ould to avert this trouble?" asked
Vahey.
Their attitude was at all times
Mr.. Newman replied.
They seemed anxious for a settle /
rent" 1
Asked whether the employees insist !
4 on recognition OF the union and the
losed shop, the witness said the
losed shop demand was withdrawn
efore the strike and shortly after
[arch ~ the men indicated a willing ]
ess to arbitrate without recognition ::
Z the union.
These facts, he said, were commu- !
icated to President King. (
sceived q number of complaints
I