The Washington herald., 1917-03-12

and thereby avoid annually or periodical
ly similar agitation.
Furthermore, the said contract assure.
to our trainmen fair treatment, as they
have the right to appeal to the Public
Utilities Commission as permanent
board of arbitration and all the provi-
sions In the individual contract have beer
generally discussed with our trainmen In
the press and by various persons, anc
We have not heard of any real or sub.
stantial objection raised on the part oi
any one. either as to wages or conditions
therein contained
As we understand the matter, the only
known grievance now pending Is the rec
ognition Of the Amalgamated Association
concerning which there can be no media.
tion.
We would be false to our faithful and
loyal employees who have voluntarily Pc
titioned the company not to deal directly
or indirectly with the Amalgamated As
ISOLATION were we to deviate from the
course we have thus indicated.
We greatly appreciate your high mo.
tives and your kind offer to assist US in
the matter and fully appreciate the val.
liable and efficient service which you
have heretofore rendered.
We further trust you will accept ou
assurance that we fully realize the duty
VIC O"O Ino puDllC 10 MAINTAIN Oul
service to the utmost and at the same
time preserve public order
Respectfully yours,
CSignedD CLARENCE P. KING,
President Washington Railway and
Electric Company.
Text of Letter to Union.
The letter from the Commissioners to
President Wilbert. of the union read as
follows:
Mr. George A. wilbert, Washington Loan
and Trust Building. Washington, D. c.
Dear Sir-Yesterday the Commissioners
Of the District of Columbia offered to
act as mediators between the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company and
its employees in the present controversy.
The president and Officers Of the COM
pany declined to accept the offer
Today the Commissioners have writ
ten the company. requesting It TO per-
nit the Commissioners or some other dis
interested agency to endeavor to med
late the controversy. They have also re-
quested that, In the meantime, the COM
pany refrain from any lockout, from dis
charging any employees and from putting
strike-breakers to work
The circumstances of the times make
the possibility Of disorder in the National
NoPA1OA q hAoIlCE VI grave concern Ino
Republic itself. An adjustment Of the
controversy should not be impossible and
the Commissioners most respectfully but
most earnestly request you to use your
best efforts to see that no strike is
called pending their endeavor to bring
about settlement by mediation.
The interests Of the public transcend
the interests of either party to this con-
troversy so far as the controverted issues
are concerned. Representing the public
We make this request in the confident
belief that it will be complied with.
Yours. very truly,
Board Of Commissioners, of District of
Columbia, by Oliver P Newman, Pres
The reply of the union was made by a
personal visit Of union representatives to
the Offices Of the District Commissioners.
The reply follows:
Suggest Wilson as Umpire.
Mr.. Oliver P. Newman, President of the
Board of Commissioners of the Dis.
trict of Columbia.
Dear Sir: Your communication of this
date. informing us that the WASHINGTON
Railway and Electric Company had re-
fused to accept the good offices of your
Commission as mediators between the en-