The Washington times., 1917-03-12

your best efforts to see that no strike
is called pending their endeavor to
bring about settlement by mediation.
The interests of the public trans
cend the interests or either party to
this controversy SO far as the CON
| troverted issues are concerned. KEEP
resenting the public we make this re-
quest in the conficent belief that II
will be complied with.
BOARD of Commissioners OF
the District of Columbia.
BY OLIVER 2. NEWMAN,
'PresideRt."
Reply of President King.
President King made the following
reply: a'
"Hon. oliver p. Newman, president,
the Board of Commissioners OF the
District Of Columbia, Washington
u. G:
Dear sir-At late hour this after
noon / received your letter of even
date. We fully understand the public
interest in the maintenance of ef-
fcient street car service and recognize
our obligation in regard thereto.
Having in mind the sudden sus-
pension OF work a year ago by many
of our trainmen, melted and ordered
by the Amalgamated Association,
without notice to the public or our
selves. we have taken steps to secure
the services OF experienced operators
in order to be prepared In case OF sim
liar action this year. We consider We
would be lacking in our duty to the
public if we failed to take this pre-
caution. We assure you there is no
intention to substitute these men for
our present trainmen unless the latter
quit work.
AT our. conference yesterday We
clearly stated that we could under no
circumstances recognize or deal d.
rectly or indirectly with the Amalga-
mated Association. and fully reviewed
the intolerable conditions that have
existed during the past year.
I'VE stand for the right to contract
with our trainmen, and believe the
agreement which we have submitted
to them, and which many OF our train
men have signed, is in every way fair
and just as to wages, and conditions of
employment, and we believe under
this contract The public will be able
to secure continuity of service and
thereby avoid annually or periodically
similar agitation.
Furthermore, the said contract as
sures to our trainmen fair treatment,
as they have the right to appeal to
the Public Utilities Commission as a
permanent board of arbitration, and
all the provisions in the individual
contract have been generally dis
cussed with our trainmen in the press
and by various persons, and we have
not heard of any real or substantial
objection raised on the part of any
one either as to wages or conditions
therein contained
"As we understand the matter, the
only known grievance now pending
Is the recognition OF the Amalga-
mated Association, concerning which
there can be no mediation.
I'VE would be false to our faithful
and loyal employees. who have volun-
tarily petitioned the company not to
deal directly or indirectly with the
Amalgamated Association were we to
deViate from the course we have
thus indicated.
I'VE greatly appreciate your high
motives and your kind offer to assist
us in the matter, and fully appreciate
the valuable and efficient service
which you have heretofore rendered.
I'VE further trust you will accept
our assurance that We fully realize
the duty which we owe the public to
maintain our service to the utmost
and at the same time preserve public
order. Respectfully yours,
CLARENCE p. KING.
president Washington Railway
and Electric Company"
Reply of Union Officials.
Following is the reply made by the
union officials In which they proposed
board OF arbitration. with President
Wilson and Samuel Gompers as men,
bers:
Mr.. Oliver p. Newman. president Of
the Board OF Commissioners of the
District OF Columbia:
Dear sir-Your communication of
this date. informing US that the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company
had refused to accept the good offices
Of your commission as mediators be-
tween the employees and the company n
he dispute now pending. at hand and
contents noted.
I'VE regret to hear that the company
has taken this position. ns you well
know that we are ready and willing to
accept your commission as n1edlators
with this company. as we did with the
Capital Traction Company.
Now we would make the following