The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-03-15
George WiIhurt Has Absolute
Control of One Thousand
in Union.
RULER WITH SOFT HAND
Has Complete Confidence of
Every Man in His
Organization.

In a little office on the fourth floor
OF the Washington Loan and Trust
Company building sits a man who is
strike of more than 1000 employees
OF the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company. Surrounded by his
lieutenants he discusses with them
the best way to meet each move of
the company, and at intervals of a
few minutes he answers the telephone
and receives the report from an Of
fetal stationed somewhere in Wash
ington," who, at the end of that re-
port, receives either the congratula-
lions or advice of his general.
The man is George Wilburt, presi-
dent OF local car mems union.
He is of medium stature, five feet
seven to be exact, and thirty-siX
years old. He wears a mustache
which doesn't conceal in anyway the
strength of the lower jaw. His eyes
, and tanned by the weather. For Mr..
Wilburt is a motorman.
IL Quiet of Tone.
The man who can keep from vio-
lence more than 1000 men who are
jobless and who see each day a great
er number of outsiders taking their
positions on the cars running more
regularly every twenty-four hours,
is a strong man. Mr.. wilburt doesn't
speak with a harsh, commanding
voice, neither does he below at his
subordinates when giving a command.
He speaks quietly, IL anything, and
his voice is soothing rather than ex-
citing. When he talks he puts his
whole soul into his words, and his
manner of driving home a point
would be hard to beat either by
Gypsy Smith, jr., or even by Billy
Sunday himself. He is not termed
an orator even by his friends, but. as
one of them said today. ~ hen he
says something, he says II like he
means il, and when & man does that
other people are ,incined to believe
him, too"
Mr.. Wilburt abhors violence. He
things the best way to accomplish a
set purpose is to go about il in a
quiet businesslike manner. He
treats his opponents firmly. but cour-
teously, and demands nothing mere
than what he thinks is fair.
MOtorman Here Nine Years.
Mr. wiIburt has been in the employ
of the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company for nine years. He is
said to have come to Washington
from New York He has been a mo-
tormsn during his service with the
company, and has always been in
good standing with his fellow-em-
ployes and with his superiors in the
company.
When the local union was organ
lied here last year, Mr.. Wilburt was
not among those who spread the
propaganda for its formation. He
held on for a while until he was sure
of the sOundness OF the principles
upon which II was formed. The es-
TEEN in which he was held by his
fellow-employes in the service was
shown by his election as president.
Perhaps the greatest tribute paid
to the man was by one of the mem
bers of the union.
Mr.. Wilburt is in touch with every
man in this union" he said. land
knows the majority of them person
ally. He is the kind of man who
takes an interest in the welfare of
his men to such an extent that his
word is law among us. We would do
anything under the sun for Mr.. Viii
burt. and the man who doesn't stick
by him isn't a man"