Evening star., 1919-01-31
Regarded as Most important
Issue Between w. R. & E.
Company and Employees.
OTHER POINTS CONCEDED
BY WORKERS COUNSEL
Negotiations Interrupt5d by OBJ
Jections of Brotherhood Attorney,
Who Demanded Recognition
at Hearing.

Agreement on schedules, declared to
be the most important point in dis
pute, was reached between the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company
and its men this morning. This agree
ment was reported by James H. Vaheg,
counsel for the workers, at the hearing
before the examiners for the National
War Labor Board.
Two other points were conceded b2
Mr.. Fahey. One relates to the pay to
be given the men when working ON
cars operating snow plows. The other
has reference to the pay TO be al
lowed the men while they are await
ing duty at the car barns or other
points where they might report for
service.
The company's suggestion that
motormen on the cars to which snow
plows are attached should receivess5
cents an hour while conductors should
get cents an hour more was accepted
by counsel for the men. The company
further agreed that while men were
engaged in such duty they were te-be
provided with meals at the companfe
expense when necessary.
Negotiations Interrupted '-s'
1t looked for a time as though
complete agreement would be reacheo
and that the War Trade Board would
simply be asked to make an award
in conformity with an amicabie ar
rangement reached by the disputants,
when I. Edward Mitchell. represents
ing the Brotherhood of Electric kali
way Employees. upset the negotiations.
Mr. Mitchell, who several times during
yesterdays proceedings was sileneea
by the examiners, contended that ~
vahey was not in court
"Mr> vahey does not represent the
men. I represent the majority of the
motormen and conductors of sf1e WA4h-
ington Railway and Electric" said Mr.
Mitchell. ''and / say that whatever
award the board makes VIII not De
binding on the brotherhood We have
no dispute with the company, but an
award may be made that does not suit
the wishes of the brotherhood. We
will not be bound by it. Mr.. Vahey
has no standing in court.
Then Mr.. Mitchell asked permission
TO introduce and examine Witnesses.
But the counsel for the Amalgamated
strenuously objected
The objection was sustained by the
IL -
Mitchell for his pertinacity in at
tempting to get into court when he
had been repeatedly Informed that ne
was out of court. Nevertheless MI.
and urged that they be not withheld
from him.
Continues to Urge Claims.
To relieve the situation a recess was
taken But this did not improve mat
ters. Mr.. Mitchell continued to urge
his claims. while Mr.. Vahey insisted
that he obey the command OF the eA-
aminerS that he subside. -
In any case" said Mr. Mitchell, att
err reluctantly taking his seat, this
whole proceeding is Irregular ana q
ma jority of the men VIII noc-ue
bound by anything that is done mere.
There are only 922 men employed AS
motormen and conductors and 4lo OF
these are in the brotherhood. while
goo don't belong to any orSantza-
tion."
IL was noticed that while Mr.. NShey
refused TO have anything to do with
Mr.. Mitchell. John Il. Barbour, leading
counsel for the company, was eA-
tremely cordial with him. Mr.. 6sF,
bour tried to obtain for the counsci
for the brotherhood a hearing for his
alleged organization. -
Points to Conciliatory Attitude.
w. NJ. Casey. superintendent OF CON-
struction. 1or the company, spoke of
the concil;atory 2ttitude that II -hap
assumed toward its men. According
to MIR. Casey the company has al
wavs been willing to meet its men
more than half way ard was ready 70
treat with them in liberal spirit ne
said the first collective bargaining
was done with the brotherhood. repre-
sented by Mr.. Mitcnell-
MIR. Eahey tried TO get into the rec
ord the history of the hearings before
the Senate committee when the ois-
mute between the company and the
men was aired. But Mr. Barbour OBJ
ie,.ted and the board sustained him.,
IT'S no use cluttering up the rec
ord with extraneous matter, said MI.
Barbour
The company agreed to consult the
men in the making oss schedules and TO
establish straight runs Wherever prsc-
ticable.
rItino iM FDAnHC nEE0f "