The Washington times., 1917-05-17

not know that the committee which
attempted to make an agreement
with President King this years was
different in personnel from the griev-
ance committee appointed at Conven-
ton Hall last year. The grievance
committee was composed OF George
A. wilburt, +. NJ Thompson, and II.
z. Jones. The agreement committee
appointed by the union this year con-
sisted of George A. Wilburt, ]. w.
Cain, and N. T. Slater. It was dis
closed that the fact that Wilburt was
the chairman OF both committees
caused confusion in the witness
mind.
Mr.. Blackman said that wiIburt
told him president King refused to
talk to us when we went to his office
| on March g." BlackInan said that lie
construed this to mean that President
King had declined to treat with the
| grievance committee, whereas, the
company contends. wtlburt was at
the head OF a committee representing
| the union. The witness said that he
did not know the grievance Committee
had refused to talk with President
King.
Denies Kings Intention.
Attorney Vahey at this point stated
that on March President King asked
| the grievance committee to come to
his office for the purpose OF talking
over the individual contract with a
view OF determining whether the
committee could recommend the con-
tract to the members Of the union
for their signatures. This the COM
I III a
keep the appointment, he said.
Attorney Hoover said President
King did not invite the committee to
his office to talk over the individual
contract but ito discuss any griev-
ance that had arisen against the
working agreement of 1916
That Is the issue in this whole pro-
ceeding," said Senator Pittman, act
| ing chairman of the committee. we
want to hear evidence on that point"
Conciliator Blackman. after admit
ting that he knew of McMorrow's S
presence in Washington, and had
| talked with him at a hotel, was
asked II he were not aware of the fact
that McMorrow's appearance forecast
strike. He replied in the negative.
Didn't Mr.. King tell you that he
/ would receive the grievance commit
tee and talk over a new agreementT'
asked Attorney Hoover.
II did not" the witness replied.
He limited the scope OF the confer
ence to discussion Of grievances aris-
| ing under the 1916 contract, and he
made the limitation good and strong"
You said yesterday that Mr.. King
told you that the grievance commit
tee had annoyed him in 1876: didn't
he really say that the complaints OF
the men and not the committee were
annoying him?" inquired the attor-
ney.
man. HE said the committee was
bothering him with minor, trivial and
petty affairs all the time"
Labor Secretary to Testify.
"You criticised the companys in
dividual contract rather severely;
aid YOU ever criticise the drastic
provisions Of the working agreement en- !
submitted by the men, especially the
clause calling for the closed shop?
Attorney Hoover asked.
Il did" said the witness. 4 criti-
cised II In Mr.. Kings office. and
also told the leaders of the union
tFat 1 understood their union was
to protect men from discharge. where
that provision called for the dis
charge by the company OF any en-
ploye who had been dropped IRON
the union rolls"
Senator King inquired as to
whether Mr. Blackman o rthe Depart
ment Of Labor considered It wrong
for a nemployer to deal individually
with its men. and whether the de-
partment insisted that employees be
dealt with collectively.
The witness said neither he nor
the department had any such policy
1--WE talk to the men and the en-
ployers without trying to run theii
affairs" said the witness. 'Our OBJ
ject is to preserve peace. In thii
particular case the company woul'
not meet anybody to talk anything
over with a view OF agreeing upoI
| mediation or arbitration"
The cross-eXamination had not end
ed when the committee adjourned
until tomorrow morning at 9:3'
o'clock. It was agreed by the com
mittee, and the attorneys on bot'
sides that Secretary OF Labor vii
son should take the stand tomorrow
before Mr.. Blackman's cross-examina
tion is concluded.