The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-03-22
DENIES STRIKERS
DON'T NEED HELP
Wife of Union President De-
cIareS Kings Statement Is
Not Truthful.

Indignant denial OF the statement of
President C. P. King. Of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company, that
strikers do not need the money solicited
by their wives and sympathetic women
helpers in the tag day" collection. was
made today by Mrs. Charles Wilburt,
wife Of the president of the car mems
union.
Il am very much surprised At Presi-
dent Kings statement" said Mrs. VIII
burt. He knows what he says about
our not needing money is not true.
Does he think we would get out in
the rain. some OF US without umbrellas
or overshoes, and ask the public to
help the cause, If we did not need the
money badly?
IF the strike goes on, can't say
what we'll do, but I don't think the
public, whose servants our husbands
have tried to prove, will let US suffer"
Denies Possessing Deposits.
Mrs. wiIburt said very few strikers
can draw money from the car mems re-
lief association treasury.
Mrs. wiIburt branded as untrue the
statement of President King that
membership in the relief association
is not compulsory.
1T was compulsory" said Mrs. VIII
burt 'Tf a man refused to Join the
relief association his money would be
held up and the dues taken from his
wages.
Only a few wives OF strikers were
out today with contribution boxes.
Three OF the workers were stationed
in Center Market, while half q dozen
went to the navy yard.
Qualification was expressed over
the result Of yesterdays tag sale. A
total OF $1e1.39 was raised. OF this
amount $43.65 was collected by wives
OF strikers stationed near the Bureau
Of Engraving and Printing.
Statement By King.
The statement Of King, to the eff
feet that many strikers have as high
as 800 deposited with the Washington
Railway and Electric Company Relief
Association, Is as follows:
The company resents the imputa-
ton that its striking employees are
starving through inadeQuatS wages,
and reminds the public that under the
new wage scale the ma have a con-
siderably increased ipeome.
Under the working OF the Relief
Association each memDer pays dues
of 81 per month and has an accumu-
lation to HIS credit which is payable
To him either upon his leaving the
service of the company or upon re-
signing from the association, or upon
his death, to his beneficiary. Many
of the employees who are now out on
strike have considerable sums accu-
mulated out Of their monthly dues,
running in the case Of the older mem
bers to an amount over 800 each.
Every few trainmen now on strike
have thus far seen fit to draw out the
money which is on deposit to their
credit We feel that IL they are In
real need they would draw out this
money in the present emergency when
they are out OF work, either through
willing allegiance TO the Amalgama-
ted Association, or, as in some cases
we fear. out OF extreme pressure ex-
erted upon them to stand firmly by
the association, regardless Of their
own feelings and the deprivations
forced upon their families.
Defends Loyal, Employees.
1--WE wish the public to know that
these employees are privileged to with
draw from the Relief Association
promptly upon demand the funds
which stand to their credit.
1--WE also think the public should
bear in mind that the loyal employees
and their families are entitled to even
greater consideration than the strik-
ers and their families. During the
past year these loyal men have been
subjected by the Amalgamated Asso-
citation to coercion, intimidation and
other similar practices by which an
association OF this kind attempts to
maintain fits position. The wives and
children of these loyal men have also
been made most uncomfortable land
unhappy in many devious ways"