Evening star., 1917-03-12

part was only taken after all nopes
of reaching an understanding with ~
company that would give us the rlsne
of collective bargaining and the pro-
lection of our labor was exhausted
Statement of Union Men.
This statement was the first made since
the statement OF Mr.. King, attaching 'ne
amalgamated association, which aroused
great indignation at union headquarters
The union men declined to reply to that
s,atement and they made no reference 10
II in their statement today, which con-
tinues:
First, We offered to accept the same
contract and conditions that was agreed
to between the Capital CITY Irdc'lo'
Company and their employees lheH We
offered to accept the Comnisslontss,s us .,
the District of Columbia as the mediators
and arbitrators and leave them DECIDE
what our contract relations should De
this refused.
I'VE then submitted by letter yeste,
day through the commission the loI-
lowing proposition:
That the company withdraw the IN
dividual contracts that they are now
trying to force their employees to sign
and to reinState the employees that nave
been locked out for being members OF
the organization. Then let the present
agreement, which expires at IL oc.ock
tonight. be extended for periou ol
thirty days.
second Let the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company select some
person to represent them. On the part
OF the employees we will select Samuel
Gompers, president of American Fed
Grafton of Labor Then let the Hon
Woodrow Wilson. President of the
United States act as umpire.
Let the question of contract and
what the terms of it shall he he submit
decision
of majority of them shall be final
and binding upon both parties.
Refused by Mr.. King.
The propositions proposed in this
Ietter were absolutely refused by Presi-
dent King of the company.
Following this William. B. Wilson,
Secretary of Labor. offered PROPOSE
tion that the company withdraw their
Individual contracts and leave the old
agreement remain for seven days and
in that time to get together and try
and reach a settlement This PROPOSE
tion was absolutely refused by Presi-
dent King.
Our contract expired at 10 O'Clock
last night. There was nothing left for
us to do but to suspend work and
struggle to preserve our union or ac-
cept the individual conditions proposed
bandment Of our union. SO we were
compelled to suspend work. our
struggle is for the right OF collective
bargaining. We worked for years un-
der individual conditions; the results
were that we were among the lowest
paid street railway employees in
America with working conditions that
were deplorable. and We know by that
sad experience il we gave up our union
we must return to those former con-
ditions.
The Capital Traction Company has
recognized and conceded our Just de-
mands. and we appeal to our fellow
citizens to stand by and assist us IN
this struggle for our God given ana
constitutional rights
Hits Two-Thirds of Mileage.
The strike begun today affects ap-
proximately two-thirds of the street
railway mileage in the District of CO.
lumbia Total mileage OF the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company's
subsidiary lines is 12S.SS, as compared
with a total mileage of 66.67 for the
other street railways operating within
the limits of the National Capital. The
Capital Traction Company. with
total mileage of 5s.7s, is the second
largest local street railway.
The Washington Railway and Electric
Company proper operates over "a. ST
miles OF track in the District. or its
subsidiary lines. the City and Suburban
railway, has 22.S0 miles: the George
town and Tenleytown railways. S.56.
and the Washington Interurban rail
way, recently acquired, 2-to. In addi-
ton to these lines ana those. efsthea
Heights Traction. Railroad Company,
operates over ia miles of track, The
Washington Maryland railway over
2.4S and the Washington Old Dominion
Railway Company, over 30.
According to reports on file with the
public utilities commission. the total
revenue from transportation OF the
Capital Traction Company during 1915
was $2.1s1. .9S5.27, while the revenues of
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company for the same period amounted
to S2.109,s04-1s: the City and Suburban,
s57s.se5.5o: the Georgetown and Ten
1eytown. s71,s56.47. and the Washing
ton Interurban. SIS, ,So4.91.
The operating expenses during 1916
were as follows: Capital Traction Com
pany. sl.15e 2S3.97: Washington Rail
and Suburban. S313-112.10: Georgetown
and Tenleytown. ss4.25953 and Wash
ington lnterurban. $1s.65S.IS.
Benning Plant Guarded.
Special precautions were taken today
to guard the power house at Benning
A detail of police was stationed there,
and company guards in plain clothes
also were on duty.
notice was posted at Benning and
al substations of the Potomac Electric
POWER Company directing attention to
the provision of a law enacted by Com
gress June 80, 1902. penalizing offenses
against the property of an electric
light company. as follows:
Whoever shall knowingly connect or
disconnect any electrical conductor be-
longing TO any company using or en-
gagged in the manufacture and supply
OF electric current for purposes of light
heat and power. or either of them or
makes any connection with any such
electrical conductor for the purpose of
using or wasting the electric current
or who in any wise tampers with auy
meter used TO register current con-
sumed. or who interferes with the
operating of any dynamo or other cleo
trical appliance of such company. or
hampers with or intereferes with the
poles. wires, conduits or other appara-
tus used by such companies, unless such
person or persons shall be duly au-
thorized by or be in the employ of
such company. shall he punished by
fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment
not exceeding one year, or both
Notices in Car Windows.
Another notice was placed on windows
OF every car in the barns and shon of
the company containing quotations from
laws preventing obstruction or destruc-
tion of street railway property, as fol-