The Washington times., 1917-03-17


piled he was not under ordinary cir
| cumstances: but that he was under
| the existing circumstances and in
view of the conditions following the
| agreement of the year previous with
\ the trainmen OF the company; the con-
slant pressure, nagging. persecution,
| and petty annoyances to which the
employees not members of the associa-
| ton had been subjected; his promises
to the loyal employees and the i'm
possibility OF eradicating the power
which this irresponsible association
had over the loyal employees of the
company, who constituted majority
OF all employees and who did not wish
either to join the association or be
subject to its domination.
Blame Put on Strikers.
with respect to so much of your
letter as refers to the jeopardy in
which the property Of the company,
has been placed, the fact that the
safety of its employees and the public
has been in danger. and that the po-
lice department has been placed under
terrific strain to protect persons
and property and that the peace and
order of the city of Washington have
that this company has jeopardized no
mans property has endangered the
safety OF no one and has placed no
strain upon the Police Department to
protect persons and property, or dis
turbed the peace and order of the city
of Washington: that the fact stated
in your letter that wrongdoers have
done things cannot in the interest of
public policy be made the basis of a
claim by them or on their behalf that
they should be collectively or other
wise contracted with, or that a COM
pany in the exercise OF its lawful
franchise and performance of its pub
lie duties should not be allowed to
continue therein without let or him
drance, but on the contrary is entitled
to the support and laid OF the public
authorities.
with respect to your statement
that the District OF Columbia is shar-
ing its loss in 4 per cent of the gross
receipts of the company lost through
these unlawful acts. permit us to call
your attention to the fact that under
the acts of Congress chartering the
street railway companies It is ex-
pressly provided that they shall at
all times have a free and uninter-
rupted use OF the railways they are
authorized to construct and operate,
and IL any person or persons shall
wilfully. mischievously, or unneces-
sarily obstruct or impede the passage
of cars on the right OF way with a We
hicle or vehicles. or otherwise, or in
any manner modest or interfere with
passengers or operators while in
transit, or destroy or injure the cars
of said railway or depot or stations or
other of the property belonging to
the said railway. they shall be pun
ished as therein prescribed.
.RaiIway's Rights Denied"
Doubtless through the suddenness
of the outbreak and the number of
offences following the calling of the
strike by the amalgamated associa-
ton, there resulted a depial to the
railways OF the right to a free and
uninterrupted use OF our property
thus given. We beg to remind you
that it is for this protection that we
are, among other things. called upon
to contribute to the expense of cross
ing policemen and to pay the tax of
per cent on the gross earnings of
the company, and that the loss of
/ revenue to which you refer may not
/ be charged to the railway company.
which has been guilty of no wrong,
4 but to the wTong-doers who are now
seeking your mediatorial services.
1--WE believe that you realize and
lare1ow prepared to give protection
in the Tree and uninterrupted use of
our railways which we are entitled
to receive under express acts of Con-
gress, and as soon as the wrong doors
are forced to obey the law and to de-
sist from Interference with our free
and uninterrupted use of our rail-
ways there will be no inadequacy or
impairment OF service; no inconven-
fence to the public: no endangering
of the safety of either the employees
or the travelling public, and no dim
mutton OF the taxes to which the
District is entitled.
Regrets Strain on Police.
ave regret the strain thus i'm
posed on the police department in
protecting persons and property and
in preserving the peace and order of
the District. But we are not to blame
for this, but rather those persons who
persist in lawless acts and in further
ance of a concerted effort to prevent
the discharge of our charter obliga-
tions.
"In conclusion, the president and
directors want to go on record in
| favor OF the open shop" in reality,
discriminating neither for nor against
any man whether belonging to an
organization or not: but Insisting al
ways that whatever aniliation may
be made there shall be no disIoyalty
to the company and the public 1t
serves. AS the company Is answer
, able in law for the acts OF its EN-
ployes In thus serving the public, 1t
| Ii in duty required TO see that no
employe is put beyond obedience to
strict discipline.
I'VE believe the contract offered
the trainmen fairly accompIishes this
purpose. assures to our trRinmen fair
treatment in the adjustment Of
grievances. with tho right OF appeal
for final decision to the Public Utili-
ties Commission, and, above every
thing else. assures 20 the public un-
Interrupted and efficient service. Re
spectfully.
IS. r. BOWEN,
Secretary Washington Railway
and Electric Company"