Evening star., 1919-01-24
STRIKE OF CARMEN
APPEARS UNLIKELY
W. R. & E. and Employees
Willing to Let War Labor
Board Settle Dispute.
APPROVAL IS GENERAL

! Possibility of strike among the
| union employees of the Washington
! Railway and Electric Company in the
| immediate future has been practically
| removed.
| Although the company and the
| carmen are today no nearer an agree
ment regarding the demand OF the
| latter for a contract providing a con-
tinuation Of the present scale OF
wage and recognition OF the union
| and number of lesser important
points, they arc both willing to sub
NIT the whole matter to the War
! Labor Board for settlement and both
agree to abide by the decision of the
| latter
| The positive assurances OF both
parties that they are ready to arbi-
/ trate and will be content with what
| ever settlement the War Labor
Board should make naturally sug-
Men Act Almost Unanimously.
Arbitration on this question was de-
clded upon by a practically unan1-
nous vote when the union carmen OF
this railway system met shortly after
midnight to receive the report of its
committee which conferred with Off
Gals OF the company yesterday after
noon regarding the terms of the
agreement submitted by the carmen.
Walters Hall, on 9th street. was the
scene of this midnight meeting, and.
although the interest of the more
than 500 men was most intense and
| the proceedings were calm and the
temper of the men was cool. Maurice
| w. Poole, president of the local union,
presided. and addresses We're made
/ by Hugh l.. kerwin, director of con-
lciliation of the Department of La
Dor. and Rowland 3. Mahany. COM
missioner of conciliation of the same
department.
Officers of the union announced to-
day that the compnay will be form
ally notified this afternoon of the
outcome of this meeting and also that
the matter will be submitted to the
War Labor Board.
President Ham Gratifiea.
W. f. Ham. president of the COM
pany, stated today that he was graft
fled at the manner in which the car
men have proceeded thus far. and re-
iterated his official statement of
Tuesday last that the company would
consent to arbitration and would be
governed by the final decision of the
arbitrators.
Officers of the company lost little
time during the conference yesterday
with the carmeD'S committee in max
| ing it plain that the company would
not voluntarily agree to the principal
demands set forth in the agreement
drawn up by the union. The employees
representatives informed the officials
that they were empowered only to
propose the signing of the agreement.
The discussion consumed more than
one hour and was amicable through
out. There were no threats or inti-
| nations of strike made by the COM
mitteemen. ana although the provi-
sions contained in the proposed agree
ment were discussed frankly, every
| thing ran smoothly and was void of
| friction.
| President Ham said today that he
! wanted to assure the public of Wash
ington that every means possible
! would be taken to avert trouble which
would result in the discomfort and
| inconvenience of the citizens of Wash
ington.
Mr.. Ham Issues Statement.
Following the conference with the
carnen's representative, President Ham
issued the following statement:
THE officials of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company met
by agreement the committee of it's
employees and advised them Of action
taken by the board of directors at a
meeting held today, as follows:
RESOLVED. That the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Com
| and policies Of the National War
Labor Board governing the rela-
! tions between workers and en-
! ployers. previously adopted by
| this company and now in effect,
1 and,
"'Further resolved, That any
| question OF disagreement between
the employees and the company
that cannot be amicably' settled
| shall be referred to the National
| War Labor Board for its determi-
| nation. which decision will be
accepted as binding by the COM
! pany.
| Mr.. Ham today explained that the
company is always willing to dis
cuss with this committee of carmen or
any other committees, on their merits,
! the questions of working conditions
which were included in the proposed
agreement and in the event an agree
lment could not be reached that the
company would gladly submit to arbi-
| trauon.
Those at the Conference.
| Attending the conference yesterday
afternoon between union representa- :
tives and officers of the railway COM
pany were w. F. Ham. president; S.
r. Bowen. vice president: Milton f.
Allies, chairman of the board of di-
rectors; J. s. Barbour, general coun-
sell; J. H. Stephens. superintendent,
and William F. Casey, superintendent
of transportation. The committee of
union carmen comprised B. C. Smith
/ Frank Diggs, E. c. Lake, Henry c.
| 0tte nd w q Brown
James H. Bahey, general counsel of
the Amalgamated Association of Street
and Electric Railway Employees, OF
(which the local union is a part ar
rived in Washington this morning. He
Invent at once to the union headquar-
tiers in the Washington Loan and Trust
building, and his first duty was to as
sist J. H. Cookman. secretary and
business manager OF the local union
lin the preparation of the notice of ar
lbitration to be sent to the company
Land a similar notice to be sent to the
War Labor Board. 1t is expected that
1.-THE hearings before the latter will be-
lgin early next week.
j