The Washington times., 1919-01-31
FAVORBETTER
PAY FOR MEN.
BUT NO Jump
IN CARFARE
Rr BILL PRICE.


Ekctric Company and "a group" oi
its employees, have evidently been
impressed with statements made be
fore them that the public is direct
ly interested in ali such matters
and should be permitted participation
in the proceedings.
They listened with attention today
TO a further statement by W. Mex
Clayton concerning the great inter
est Of the Washington public in th1
settlement of any differences If these
settlements threaten TO levy upon
the public additional charges in the
way of fares.
In yesterdays session Of TIE OK
aminers Mr.. Charlton OgbUrn, chair
man Of the examiners, had made d
general statement that he did not
see why there should be objection 70
paying an additional cent or two
in railway fares so that railway
workers might receive competent
wages.
Mr. Clayton referred to this today,
telling the examiners that the Wash
ington public had been liberal and
fair for years in its attitude TO both
The railway company and the men.
He said that years ago himself and
others representing the public had
fought for better wages and condi-
tions for the men; believed now that
the men should receive fair and
honest wages; had acceded to an in
crease in fare to 3 cents that in
creased wages should be given the
men.
He was a little puzzled, though, to
know where the public was going TO
get or in all these matters. 1t had
stood for a long time for exceptionally
good dividends to stockholders. 1t
was now standing for good wages for
the men, but all the time things were
working toward the point where the
public would again be called upon "tO
foot the bill" He wanted to see fair
ness on all sides.
Mr.. Ogburn remarked that his state
ment yesterday was of a general
nature; had no direct application to
the Washington situation, and thai he
believes 'the public is a real party
in these matters. He is going to Den
yer in a few days to make an ad
dress before a gathering that takes
the view that the public, in such MS
putes as are now on in Washington
and elsewhere, deserves to be ranked
as the main party at interest and not
shut out entirely because the issues
appear to be directly between railway
companies and trainmen.
mission to file a brief as to the
Washington public's view Of utility
matters here, and he will do this,
Rival Labor Organizations.
7. Edward Mitchell, who represents
the Brotherhood of Street and Electric
Railway Employees, endeayored again
todayrt to obtain recognition before the
examiners for participation in the
proceedings. He was prepared to
submit proof that his organization is
a majority Of the trainmen OF the w.
r A; that il months ago submitted TO
the company the first claims for in
creased pay for trainmen, and that
delegations of its men have been
waiting on the company and submit
ting grievances for long time.
Attorney Vahey, the amalgamated
lawyer, again stated that he did not
want MitchelPs participation, and
that when his side had finished and
left the room Mitchell could submit
all the argument he wanted TO.
ct don't think it would be pleasant
for you if you remained" Mitchell de-
clared-
It was decided that Mr. Mitchell
could not put on witnesses or take
part except to present argument
later.
This morning saw a willingness on
the part Of attorneys for the railway
and the men TO get together through
agreement upon a number Of the de-
T1lEnds submitted as to the wording of
he findings of the examiners on par
ticular demands.
Attorney Vahey announced that both
sides wero agreed on the demand that
as near as possible 20 per cent OF the
men should have straight runs, and
not over 80 per cent Swing runs
The agreement, which will become
part of the findings, is that "all
schedules shall be made with the aim
Of furnishing the best possible work
ing conditions for the employees con-
sistent with economical operation and
compliance with traffic demands. As
many runs as possible are to be
straight and the outside time reduced
as much as possible.
The cooperation Of employees in
making schedules will be welcomed
and time put in on such work will be
paid for"
What additional cost this will be
70 the company is not yet known, al
though the attorneys for the COM
pany will present testimony showing
that the carrying out OF the provi-
sions OF the agreement may require
many additional tTainmen ana run
the extra cost to many thousands OF
dollars.
Additional Expense Involved.
On other demands for extra pay
the compsny claims that close to
100000 additional expenses arc in
Nolved The extra cost all around, If {
al the demands arc granted, viii run /
close to $500 600. IL Is claimed.
The most difficult problem submit ]
ted was that concerning straight and I
.,zing runs. and this was fixed by /
agreement
Another agreement reached was /
t<at extra men reporting for extra /
work shall receive half pay until put /
10 work. StiIl another agreement was /
as 10 the pay of men operating snow
plows. MotoTmen are to receive 60 /
cents an hour and conductors So /
cents. in addition to meals, for this /
kind OF work.
The employees put on a number Of /
witnesses yesterday to testify as TO 1
working conditions. but none Of the
testimony was Cf startling nature.
Today the company began examina-
ton Of its witnesses. The first wit
u6A Was w. NJ Casey. superintendent
of transportation Of the railway lines.
The hearing may be finished today
and arguments submitted later. il has
not been decided whether oral arr-TI.