The Washington times., 1917-05-18
STRIKE CONCTLIATOR
DEFTES SENATORS
Refuses to Divulge Name Of
Informant to Committee.
EXPLAINS DESIRE FOR PROBE
BIaekman Believed Financial Rea-
sons Influenced Co.'S Stand.

CONTINUED from First Page.)
swer that question:" Attorney
Hoover assured the witness he did
want = reply.
"Of course. this is only my per-
sonal opinion" began the witness,
but here's what / thought was at
the bottom of 1t. l believed there
was something back OF the COM
pany's attitude. I knew certain
loans had been made to this COM
pany and that these loans were due
shortly and thought that had some
thing to do with the position taken
By the company"
Then you wanted Congress to
make an investigation to crafty your
curiosity?" inquired Attorney Hoover.
NO. replied Blsckman. Il thought
the company, In view Of these loans
coming due might not want TO dis
euss with the employees the subject OF
paying them more money.
Didn't you know the company in
its Individual contract agreed to pay
its employees more money!? the at
torney asked.
'Yes," the witness responded.
Then how did you get any idea
that the company didn't want to deal
with the men for financial reasons?"
the lawyer inquired.
Refuses TO Answer.
Il had talked with people about
that phase Of the matter" Blackman
answered.
who were those people?" demand
ed Attorney Hoover.
Il refuse to answer" replied the
witness.
Attorney Hoover then addressed the
committee and insisted that the wit
ness be made to answer. He said he
wanted q reply in order to show pre-
JUDGE and bias OF the witness and to
see whether the investigation had
been ordered to crafty Blackman's
curiosity as to the finances OF the
company. As Attorney Hoover was
about to warm up, Senator johnson
suggested that the lawyer not in
dulge in enthusiastic characterize
tions of the witness" Chairman Pitt
man announced that irrespective Of
the motives of those who brought
about the investigation the inquiry
was not q frivolous matter and that
at the end of the hearing II would be
very plain that il was not a frivolous
proceeding.
To Make Ruling Tomorrow.
Following the conference OF the
committeeman Chairman Pittman said
the ruling as to whether the name
should be disclosed would be made
tomorrow morning at $50 O'Clock.
Conciliator Blackman said he had to
20 to Schenectady. n. Y, to settle
strike tomorrow.
Then why don't you give the name
and end your testimony today?" ask
ed Senator johnson.
I'd rather not" said the witness,
firmly.
During the cross-examination be-
fore the question Of the name arose,
Concfliator Blackman stated that the
employees had Informed him that theS
were willing to settle the controversy
this year on the same basis as they
did last year's-without recognition
of the union, and that Secretary of
Labor Wilson personally asked SEN
ator Hughes OF New Jersey to offer
. resolution ordering an investigation
Of the strike.
Told to Keep Hands on.
The witness said he encouraged the
employees In 1915 to believe that their
union would be recognized this year.
He remained frm in his assertion that
President King told him to keep his
hands on the controversy after the
strike had been declared.
Secretary OF Labor Wilson testi-
fled briefly before the committee, de-
failing the part he took in the ne
gotiations looking toward prevention
Of q strike.
M Wilson testified that he ap-
pealed to President King on patriotic
grounds to avert a strike and that
President King refused. The CONVEX
sation between the two took place