Evening star., 1917-03-12
The Street Car Strike.

The Street Car strike.
Washington is seriously disconnected
by the prevalence of a strike of the
operatives of one of the two traction
systems, controlling about 81 per cent
Of the total .rackage in the District.
Only a partial service on that system
IS maintained, and that under difficulties
and some danger, seriously initiating
against its value 20 the public.
Every effort has been made by the
District Commissioners to bring about
ar adjustment of the dispute between
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company and its employees, but with
out avail The company has resisted all
overtures on the ground that it cannot
deal with or recognize in any way the
organization TO which most of its men
belong. The fight turns on the question
of recognition of the union, matter in
which, as The Star has heretofore point
ed out, the public has no direct concern.
Responsibility for the present situa
tion may rest with the company for its
refusal to consider any form of arbi-
tration involving dealings with the
union, or with the operatives for insist
ing upon the recognition o. the union
as a first condition to any such adjust
ment. The public feels distinctly i'm
patient with any blockade. 1t pays the
price by loss of service, which means
loss of time and the imposition of seri-
Gus physical inconvenience and some
risk. The possibility of disorder is al
ways present in such situation, caus-
ing grave anxiety.
The sole purpose of traction system
is to carry the people. The holders of
the franchise owe an obligation to the
community. They are not in the ordi-
nary business relation with customers,
and therefore not altogether indie
pendent in dealings with employees. They
cannot conduct their business as would
a merchant who can close his establish
ment if he cannot effect a practical
working arrangement with his employees
They cannot withdraw all their ears into
the barns and let the public walk
This very responsibility, which com
pels continued service in the use of the
public streets, at the same time brings
measure of protection. If the street
railway corporation, whatever may be
the equities of dispute with its op-
eratives, undertakes to discharge its OBJ
legation to the public and run its cars it
is entitled to the fullest possible safe
guards from the municipal government.
reasonable time must be given to en-
able a reorganization of working force.
But if the company cannot run its cars
with police protection the community's
interests must not be permitted to suffer
indefinitely through the corporations
failure.
Full service is the demand of the pub
lie and full service must be had, whether
the union is recognized or not Public
sympathles may be in this instance af-
NNN'S" ~ thO idtt thdt tuc 1IdC-
tion Company has by recognizing the
union insured full operation of its
lines. That fact does not lessen the OBJ
legation of the Washington Railway and
Electric Company to operate its cars or
of the Commissioners to give that COM
pany the fullest possible protection from
yi0lpnce and interforapoo
A word of advice to the striking op-
eratives may be seasonable. BY no
surcr way is public sympathy lost than
by the use of violent measures to pre-
vent the operation of the lines which
they have abandoned. The derailment
of ears, the blocking of conduit slots,
the assaulting of motormen and con
ductors, the stoning of car windows to
the serious enlargement of passengers.
all these arc lawless acts that will mill
tate against the cause these striking men
are cndeavoring to maintain. Whether
performed by strikers themselves or
misguided sympathizers, they are the
worst conceivable measures and should
he severely repressed by the leaders OF
this movement for union recognition.
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