The Washington times., 1919-08-28
W. R. & f. REJECTS
UNION RECOGNITION
Continued from Page One.D

submitted to the company, Whlch Il
asks and insists shall be signed so as
to be retroactive to September l.
Prior to seeing Mr.. Ham, the COM
mittee took the position that there
is now no War Labor Board. 1t is
dead, and is history Therefore they
felt in a position to insist that the
proposed agreement mHst become ef-
fective beginning September ].
Sections / and deal with recogni-
tion Of the Amalgamated, a demand
which the company refused in the
strike three years ago.
Replying TO the committee as to
these sections, Mr.. Ham said the W.
r. and Z. stands "squarely by the
principles OF the War Labor Board,
promulgated by the Government, and
recognized as from the Government.
These principles govern the relations
between employers and workers.
Briefly. the principles require en-
ployers TO recognize the right OF col
lective bargaining by employees and
the right of employees to send COM
mittees to confer with employers.
This Mr.. Ham said his company is
always willing to do.
VIII Deal Only with Workers.
But Mr.. Ham said the company will
deal only with its employees and not
with the amalgamRted, a direct re-
fusal TO recognize the amalgamated.
After the conference with the ANAL
gamated committee which IL is pre-
sumed will be followed by others,
AIr. Ham saw and conferred with a
committee of the brotherhood en-
ployes, headed by Il. w. Lynn, its
president, about the demands Of that
organization, which proposes to sub
NIT its grievances to the board re-
Gently appointed by the president to
consider electric railway difficulties.
In the end the demands of both
organizations may have to be placed
before the Public Utilities Commis-
sion, acting as cOnciliators. That.
however, is some distance of. This
commission will virtually settle the
question Of increase OF wages.
COmpany's Revenues Low.
Mr.. Hams statement said that the
various applications the company has
made to the Public Utilities Commits
sion for increased revenues have been
to a large extent due TO increases in
wages to employees. The employees, he
said. are now receiving 100 per cent
higher wages than in 1915, and so per
cent higher than in April, 1917, when
the war with Germany began.
Owing to the increases and to heavy
expenses of operations generally. the
company's revenues are now entirely
inadequate and there is pending an
application for increase Of fares to
be charged the public to cents.
1t is manifest, he said, that the
company, entirely independent Of the
demands of the trainmen, must have
additional revenues to meet the wages
of the existing scale, and Of course is
n
less given revenues sufficient to do
so.
The demands OF the amalgamated
trainmen alone. Mr.. Ham declared,
would amount to an expenditure OF
$1,000 900 more each year, or an in
crease of 20 per cent. The demands
Of the brotherhood were more mOder-
ate. but would increase expenditures
SS5O.OOO per year.
Any increase OF wages must be paid
by the public, he said.
The company is not in position to
pay its trainmen more than the
Capital Traction Company. which is
more prosperous, and the Capital
Traction has an agreement with the
Amalgamated effective until March,
1920. at the existing scale.
What Trainmen Average.
Mr.. Ham pointed out that COnduc-
tors and motormen are instructed
into their occupations in from six to
ten days: that regular trainmen now
average a daily wage Of S4.65. If a
man works six days a week the av-
erage. he said. would be 1921 per
month, or SI.45O per annum. Mr..
Ham pointed out, the present pay is
much larger than given policemen
and firemen in the District.
t. 1vr
statement: 1t is the evident aim and
purpose or the Federal Administration
to force the cost of living downward
and while il may be too soon to ar
rive at a definite conclusion as to what
success the Government will have in
its efforts il can not be overlooked
that the measures already taken have
tended in that direction and il is be-
lieved will lead 10 further reductions.
The company submits that unless in
creased wages are needed by its en-
ployes to cover higher costs Of living
IL would be UnjustifiabIe TO grant in
creases which would necessarily in
crease the rate Of fare and throw ad-
ditiOnal burdens upon the public.
Notwithstanding this the COM
Pany i swilling and anxious to con-
sidere the welfare OF its employees
and will be glad to receive any
testimony or evidence as II the cost
OF living compared with last March.
but as the pTesnt award kinds
TO the first OF next October, there
does not appear 10 be any undue
haste in arriving At any conclusion
and further time should be taken 10
consider the matter"
". -. MahOney. president OF the
International Amalgamated Associa-
NJ
Employees, is in Washington today
comforting with officials OF Local STS.
His presence in this city is thought
TO indicate that the union had a
definite plan OF action in view. He
will direct and give counsel TO the
local officials.
DsS.t careIes, .xp.pdy,ur. mai,