The Washington times., 1917-05-16
Loss .......... I63,4IS
Corroborates CommIIaioners.

The aggregate receipts for the
strike period, therefore, were less
than one-third the revenue derived
by the company last year.
Conciliator Blackman corroborated
the statements of Commissioners New
man and BrownIow that the comapny
rejected all proposals 10 mediate, and
that at all times President King in
sisted he would have nothing to do
with the Amalgamated Association or
the grouped employees.
Before Counciliator Blackman took the
stand, Attorney Vahey informed the
committee that Attorney Hoover had
requested a copy Of the Amalgamated
Associations pay roll for strike bene-
fits" paid the members Of the local
union since March Z
Attorney Vahey said that the parent
union paid the strikers IS each week
and would make a payment tomorrow.
I'VE are perfectly willing to tell what
amounts have been paid" said Attorney
Vahey, but the actual pay rolls con-
tanning the names are in Detroit. and
would have to be sent for. ! have an
idea the company wants the actual
payrolls to find out exactly what en-
ployes belong to the union"
Attorneys Hoover and Barbour, rep
rssenting the company, insisted that the
names be produced.
The committee will rule tomorrow as
to whether the names should be given
the company.
$50 Work Elsewhere.
Attorney vahey said that the pay
roll included LOO strikers in March, but
that about $50 Of the trainmen had
Al
Councillator Blackman upon taking the
stand told Of his participation in the
settlement Of labor disputes throughout
the country for the past five years.
He said that the same formula for
arbitrating strikes was followed all
over the United States.
After telling Of the part he took in
settling the 1916 car strike here, Mr..
Blackman said that he was informed
by Commissioner Newman last Feb
ruary that trouble was again threat
ened.
Il called upon George E. Hamilton,
president Of the Capital Traction
Company" said the witness, "and he
assured me that there would be n
trouble on his lines during the in
auguration.
Later I read a letter from Mr..
King to the men saying he would
take up negotiations with them after
the inauguration. 1 thought the sit
uatiOn looked hopeful and so report
ed to Mr.. Newman"
Annoyed by Grievance Committee.
After Inauguration, the witness
said, he was asked to assist in ef-
forts to prevent a strike, President
King having refused to deal with the
grouped employees.
- Replying to a question by Senator
johnson, Of California, the witness
said that President King took a
very definite stand against the union
because he claimed the grievance
committee had been a constant source
of annoyance"
Mr.. Blackman said that President
King was insistent and emphatic in
his refusal to deal with the union.
and would treat with the men in no
other way than as individuals.
All our efforts to get the company
TO negotiate with the men in a group,
even with the union left out. proved
futile" said Mr.. Blackman.
The witness said that the terms of
the individual contract upon which
the company insisted "riIed" him on
one occasion, and he confessed that
he lost his temper and denounced one
OF its provisions as unfair.
The provision referred to methods
by which grievances could be arbi-
trated. Mr.. Blackman said that the
provision made it necessary for the
men to wait long time to have con
trOversies settled, and even after they
were adjusted the company could re-
open mem.
Denies Prejudice.
Answering a question by Senator
King Of Utah, ConciIiator BIackman
said t'.at there was nothing in his
att,@ude or statements TO give the
company the impression that he was
BE- rSddiced in favor OF the employees
The witness corroborated Commits.
sioner BrOwnlow's statement that
President King said that he would
give the police something to do. Mr..
Blackman also said that he knew s
large number OF trike-breskers had
been brought to Washington before
March -.
Taking up the conference at the