The Washington times., 1919-10-01
Refuses to- Treat With LaTgay.


Mr. Ham would not receive Largay /
as a member Of the local committee, /
the company's attitude being that II
viii not deal with outside men, but
only with its own employees. He did /
agree, though. that Mr.. Largay should
Be- present merely as al adviser.
The demands are the same as were
presented August -. but Withdrawn
at that time until October j. owing to
the war Labor Board agreement not
permitting a reopening OF this award
before today The men now claim the
right to submit their demands, al
though President Ham holds that the
pfinciples Of the board, as laid down
fn the award. must govern him and
TIE men until President Wilson has
declared peace. He told the men this,
especially in relation to their prin-
cipai demaud-recognition Of their
organization by the making Of a con-
tract which viii run TO March 80,
ReEt, at which time the contract OF
the Amalgamated men with the Capi-
tai Traction Company expires.
r Ham announced to the com
mittee that the principles OF the War
Labor Board. still in effect, and aP-
proved BY the government and the
public generally, recognizes the right
tie doing of this a corporation must
treat with any or all OF its employees,
whether organized or unorganized,
De said
Ehe froposed Contract.
The proposed contract OF agree
meut. which has the support Of Cen
tral Labor Union Of this city, con-
tainH twenty-nine separate sections,
most Of them dealing with working
conditions. The main demands, how
ever. are recognition o. that union
and an increase OF wages for all en-
ployes, For platform work on cars,
shah be paid 90 cents an hour with
10 cents additional per hour for in
structors. The present scale is 45 10
46 cents an hour.
For all other employees Of the com
pany il Is proposed that their pay
shan be increased q fat % cents an
hour above their present scale.
Both Demands Set Aside.
To both OF these demands, in which
the public generally is most inter
ested. ITr. Ham responded that the
company could not agree. As to rec
oEaffion 81 the union, Mr.. Ham stood
on the War Labor principles As TO
increased pay, he said. the company
cannot now meet its obligations. is in
bad financial straits, and that the
question Of increases must be met by
the Public Utilities Commission.
which would have to assess the public
for the increases.
Company officials claimed today
Chat TO meet the pay demands OF the
AmaIgamatsd would increase the
wages Of at least 1900 employees over
81 a day each, not including about
400 other employees Of the Potomac
Electric Light Company, who would
also have TO be increased. The de-
mands would cost the company from
G1,OO0.O0O 70 $1,000 900 a year above
present wages.
MP. Hans PositiaA
Mr.. Hams statement TO the com
mittee was substantially as follows:
This company conducts an open
shop. Il does not object to its en-
ployes belonging TO any labor union
they choose. II recognizes the right
Of collective bargaining and has con-
ferred and viii continue 10 confer
with any committee Of its employees
-The National War Labor Board.
an agency OF the Government, laid
down the above principles for the
maintenance Of open shop conditions
and we know Of no other rules better
calculated 70 insure proper relations
between employer and employees.
3-In January last the company
was presented with demands by GER
tain Of its employees, members Of the
AmalEamated Association. These de-
mands were. by mutual consent. sub
mltted 20 the National War Labor
Board and both the men and the com
Dany agreed 10 be bound by its award.
The National War Labor Board
passed on aii OF these demands on
March p last. This award. accord
ing to its terms. provided that it |
should continue until the end Of the /
war, a. announced by Executive 1
proclamation. except that either party
may reopen the case before the I
board al periods or six months in 1
tei-val beginning October ]. 1918 for /
such adjustments a. changed con
ottions may render necessary.
Ham Sticks By Award.
5-This company has lived up to I
this award in every particular. and 1
naturally expects its employees. vvho /
were parties thereto. TO do The same. /
unless they expect TO repudiate Il. /
6-Ihe only reason for reopenfnE /
this award Is for such adjustments as 4
changed conditions since March %, 4
last year. may render necessary
While if IS fncouceivabIe that There /
has been any change in conditions
which would Justify the demands now
presented, We are, as we have already
stated 70 our employees. willing 10 con-
slider any evidence that can be pre- 4
scented along that line; and n then 4
Unable 10 eomc TO an agreement in 4
regard thereto, 90 submit the matter 4
10 the Public Utilities Commission 1
which iE familiar With cur financial 4
condition. Hud is the onI~ BODY which 4
has the power to increaae cur reve-
nues 70 enable use 10 meet any in /