The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-05-08

settlement OF the 1915 strike. Refer
ring to the company's refusal to nave
any dealings with the committee re
presenting the local division OF the
Amalgamated Association he said the
organization was unincorporated ana
no agreement with it would be oino'
ing.
Was Not Recognized
Attorney Hoover emphasized the
fact that the union was not recog
nized when the strike was penolns
last year, notwithstanding the fact
that unceasing efforts for recognition
were pressed by the representatives
OF the employees. Despite non rec
ignition, he said, the representatives
of the Amalgamated Association cir
culated a circular phamplet admitting
that the union had been recognized
The purpose of the phamplet, &C
cording to Mr.. Hoover was to frlBht
en- employees into joining the union
Dealing won the presentation Of
the 1917 working agreement, Ar
Hoover said:
This company has always been
willing to meet and talk with Its
men. The arbitrary and unreason
able demands made in the 1917 work
ing agreement was not submitted by
the men. but YVES signed by George
wilbert as the executive head OF the
union.
Provided Settlement.
This working agreement, which
the attorney for the Amalgamated
Association now tells YEA was merely
a fesler, provided for the settlement
Of controversies between the men and
the company, and that the company
should discharge every man who re
fused to join the Amalgamated Asso
citation
although at q later date the Anal.
gamated Association attempted to
waive its demand for the closed shop
after having signed an agreement
with the Terminal TGxicab Company,
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company construed this to be an at
tempt to gain by sUbterfuge what
could not be done by direct methods
Attorney Hoover said the company
has ever been inclined to meet its en-
ployes, but has refused to deal with
officers OF the Amalgamated Asso
citation and that wilbert and otherl
steadfastly refused to be received ex
cept as duly authorized representa-
tives Of the union
| Similar Contract.
He said after refusing to accept
the Washington Railway and Electric
individual contract members OF ths
union have virtually made q similar
contract with the Capital Traction
/ Company.
Are most all Of the employees ol
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company members of the union?-
asked Senator King.
They are" answered Attorney
Hoover.
Does the union insist that all Of
the employees belong to the union?
asked Senator King.
YES" replied Attorney Hoover.
Cries of "No, nor were heard in ali
parts of the room from the 900 men
and women crowded about the walls
Fighting Ghosts.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Hoover
statement Attorney Valley said:
MY friend has been fighting
ghosts. We are not asking for reeog
milton OF the union and the closed
shop"
The situation has changed" said
Mr.. Hoover.
you are not asking for a lot Of
things you were asking for. The fact
/ f. that strikers cannot return tc
work because their places have beer
filled. and the company does not need
them
Senator johnson then asked Mr.
Hoover, isn't this the time-honorec
question of union and non-union" &c
| which Nv. Hoover said that coliectivS
bargaining was not involved because
the company had all the men It need
| ed