The Washington times., 1919-01-23
v. R. &E. TO REPLY.
ITO CARMEN TODAY
tcontnued from First Page.)

CContnued from First Page.O
nent is made that the company has
not opposed the unionizing of its en-
ployes and has not acted in any man
ner against any man belonging to
the union or working in its behalf.
Inasmuch as the War Labor Board
recognizes collective bargaining, sc
does the company, but whether the
collective bargaining means recogni-
tion OF the union so far as permitting
committees from that organization to
dominate those not belonging 20 ii
is q question which the company
wants the War Labor Board to de-
cide.
The attitude of the company, as pri-
vately indicated by some of its al
rectors today. is that the general cut
look for the future is that some regu-
latory body, such as the War Labor
Board, must continue to regulate
wages and disputes until the business
world becomes nosmal; that such
regulation is to be expected, and that
there is little reason to enter into
contracts which may mean little with
conditions changing so rapidly.
Tho case OF the Capital Traction
Company Is referred to. In March.
1913, IL entered a years CONTRACT
eertain wages per hour. Late last
summer it was compelled. because OF
labor conditions, to increase the
wages materially or go without men.
In respect to the attitude of the
railway company, as 1t is practically
ceFtain to be stated to the men this
afternoon, il is apropos to call atten-
tfon to the fact that in some of it's
decisions the War Labor Board has
not required employers to recognize
the union or contract with it. A sit
uation somewhat similar to that in
this city was presented in the case
ofsthe employees of the Dayton, Ohio.
street railway company, against that
company, the employees being COM
1lainants. In section of its decision
IN that case the War Labor Board
ruled:
Boards Ruling:
"The issue is presented square,
~ by the complainant employees
whether the companies shall be
compelled to recognize the union
and sign a contract with it as
such! The evidence discloses no
interference by the companies
with the rights OF the employees
10 join the union. Our principles
leave no doubt upon the point.
The companies are under no o5li-
gation to recognize, deal with, or
contract with the union"
Charles G. Ogburn, head OF the
street railway department of the
War Labor Board. said today that
there are various ways OF submitting
TO- that body disagreements like that
tsting Washington. 1t may be done
By Joint submission or by either side
presenting complaint. 1t was not
nseessary that the disagreements
should be over existing contracts. Any
labor dispute, on any subject, may be
submitted to the board.
Taking cognizance today of denials
thft the union is demanding restora-
oien Of men who struck in 1917, with
fVl seniority rights, an official of
he railway company today pointed
c-sectien % Of the demands, which
re4ds:
sAu employees who went on strike
in March, 1917, will be reinstated in
their former positions with the COM
pany. and be given their full seniority
rights"
Onion officials state today that this
is misunderstood: that the union does
demand that officers or members Of
the union who are absent because Of
business attached to his union office
shall not be deprived OF his proper
place in the service.
There have been large increases In
rhe reveaues OF both the street rail-
way companies since the arrests Sat
arday night of conductors for mIsap-
prepriation OF the fares of the COM
panies.
Beginning with Sunday and up to
Yesterday the increase on the Capital
fad
per cent for Sunday, Monday, Tues
day, and Wednesday over the rev.
snues of the corresponding days of
last week.
On the lines Of the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company Sunday the
increase over Sunday, January L, was
Is per cent Monday, over the preceding
Monday, 9 per cent; Tuesday. over the
orsvious Tuesday, 8 per cent. and yes
terday. over Wednesday. OF last week,
~ per cent
The average increase for the four
days on the Washington Railway and
Electric lines, in actual dollars and
cents, was 500 per day. or a total of
$50 over the same four days Of last
week.
Both companies estimate that the
good weather of Sunday, Monday and
Tuesday had something to do with
the increased revenues. especially on
sunday. but not half the increase is
attributable to this. II is frankly ad
nnltted that probably $500 each day is
due solely to improved fare CoIIec-
items. should this Improvement re
nlEin about as IL is now the revenues
OF the ". r. and =. Company would
bsb increased in 365 days by EiS2.5OO
and the Capital Traction Company AL
most as much, a huge sum that would
hSYe much bearing on the question
OF whether the roads shall have in