The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-14
INQUIRY ON STRIKE
WEARIES SENATORS
Pitman Fixes Limit for TAX
ing Evidence.
VETERAN WORKERS TESTIFY
Deny That Union Used Power Of
Oppression.

Investigation OF the street car strike
having threatened to drag itself through
the entire summer, Senator Pittman.
chairman Of the Senate committee
making the inquiry. announced today
that the strikers must end their case
tomorrow. At the conclusion Of the
presentation Of evidence by the strik-
ers a time limit will be fixed in which
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company must conclude its testimony.
Plans for ending the investigation
several days ago were upset by the
introduction of considerable teSti-
mony by the company from non-union
employees TO prove the company's con-
tention that conditions among the
men were "intolerable" because Of
continual friction and want Of har-
mony traceable to the union.
SIntOIerabIes Conditions.
Attorney George P. Hoover. counsel
for the company, said he could pro-
duce fifty witnesses to swear condi-
lions were 'Intolerable," and Attor-
ney James II. vahey, representing the
men, stated that he could produce 500
men to testify to the contrary. At
this point Chairman Pittman announc-
ed that time limits would be fixed.
Recalled to the witness stand to-
day to rebuff the testimony OF pre-
vious witnesses, George wilburt,
president OF the strikers union. said
conditions on the lines Of the com
pany had become worse instead Of
better since Clarence P. King be-
came president. The witness said
that the pension system, the Christ
mas entertainments, the employees
clubrooms, amusements, free medical
attention were all adopted before
Mr.. King came to Washington.
Levy Payne, who served for TWEEN.
ty-seven years as q motorman, testi-
few that he was given to understand
by the superintendent at the Elev-
enth street barn that unless he
signed the individual contract he
the company.
Denies Union Caused Friction.
J. W. Cain, a conductor, testified
that he observed no more friction
than usual among the men after the
union was organized. He denied tell.
ing men whom he solicited for mem
bership in the union that the organi-
zation had the sub-station and Poto-
mac Electric company's men solid. -
| While under eross-examination by
Attorney William Clayton, represent
ing the Federation OF Citizens As
sociations, Motorman Payne said that
he had been appointed by President
King as a member of a committee OF
employees to work among the people
of Washington in the interest Of the
Inauguration Of a straight scent fare
system.
QuiEsed on Contract.
At last nights session Of the in
vestigation, Attorney S. Russell
Bowen, secretary OF the company,
who drafted the Individual contract
was unable to tell the COMMITTEES
what, II any, redress an employe
would have under the terms Of the
agreement In the event OF unfair
treatment by the company.
Attorney Vahey asked Secretary
Bowen II he considered the contract
worth the paper II was written on
The witness said he thought II was
Asked II the company could sue ant
maintain an action against an en-
ploye who left its service before tbs
end of three years, the duration oil
the contract, Secretary Bowen saiC
he did not think the company could.
A number OF striking motormen anC
conductors, some OF whom had beer
in the service OF the company since
horse-car days, and one Of them fol
thirty seven years, testified that tn,
union and nonunion men got alonG
amicably during 1916. The company
assigned as one OF its reasons for no
renewing its contract with the group
ed men the alleged circumstance tina
the formation OF the union had ere
ated "intolerable conditions" amonI
the personnel OF the operating force.
Senator johnson, who questioned
all the witnesses, was told thei
average wage was about $55 a month
and that $3.50 was the average
monthly house rent paid by the mo
tormen and conductors.