The Washington times., 1917-03-30
LABOR DEPT. ASKED
FOR STRIKE INQUIRY
Committee From Consumers
League Waits on Secretary
Wilson With Petition.

Request that the Department of La
Dor investigate the strike on the
washington Railway and Electric
Company was made today by the Con
sumers' League of the District.
In letter presented to Secretary
Wilson, the league says the STRIKE
mas resulted in the disorganization
OF the normal transportation serv-
ices in parts OF the city" The league
speaks for the public.
Mrs. Newton d. Baker, wife Of the
Secretary of War, was a member of
the committee from the executive
board of the league which presented
the letter. Others on the committee
were Mrs. Laurence Todd, Miss Zip S.
Falk, Mrs. Henry S. Graves, Mrs.
Walter S. Ufford, DR.. John A. Ryan,
and A. ]. McKelway.
Excerpts From Letter.
The letter was signed by Mrs Todd,
as president, and Miss Falk, as sec
retary Excerpts follow:
Through the press and other forms
Of public statement each side is ap-
pealing to the community for its sup
port, and is making known what ii
declares to be the merits OF the dis
pute,
while the presumption is always
against the side which is known to
have refused mediation, more facts
are needed for the public to make
fair judgment. In the opinion of our
committee it is vital to the commu-
w,Fk g, ~ ufaN fad hNTi inn
partial investigators and be made
public at once.
1--WE believe that the citizens should
not remain passive in a controversy,
of this kind, but should throw their
influence towards compelling adjust
ment in the interest of justice and
social well-being."
Deadlock StiH On.
In the meantime, after nineteen
days, the strike deadlock prevails.
Both sides declared their determina-
tion today to remain firm in their
original stand.
Intimation of Clarence King,
president of the company, that strik-
ers had hand in the wrecking of
q car in Southeast Washington, and
an offer of 81 900 reward by him
for information leading to the con-
viction of the guilty persons was
met today by an offer of $1,000 by
Edward McMorrow, of the Anal
gamated Association of Street and
Electric Railway Employees, for
proof by the company that strikers
were in any way connected with the
affair.
Sale of tags for the beneft OF the
strikers were begun today uhder the
ion. The tag sale will continue to-
morrow.
The presidents and. secretaries of
all the unions affiliated with the
Central Labor Union will confer at
Painters Hall tonight to plan
further assistance to the strikers.
Officials of the strikers union
went to the Capitol today to confer
with Congressman Crosser, GaIlivan,
and other lawmakers on government
ownership.
Headquarters Opened.
Advocates of ownership Of street
railway lines here today opened head
quarters of the citizens petition
. committee at 1416-22 F street north
west
An appeal was sent out by the COM
mittee today for all citizens who
want a change in the management
and operation of street railway lines
here to call. obtain petitions and dis
tribute them generally throughout
the District.
Mrs. Jesse Hardy MacKaye and
Mrs. Walter /. Swanton- were IN
charge of the office when IL opened
this morning.
George A. Wilburt. head of the
union, was the first labor leader to
seize the opportunity to distribute the
petitions among unionists.
Mrs. MacKaye and Mrs. Swanton
called on Congressman Crosser of
Ohio at the Capitol today. and report
ed progress on the petition. Con-
Rressman Crosser is expected to rein
troduce his bill providing for District
government ownership as soon as
Congress meets next week.