The Washington times., 1919-01-30
RIVALCARMAN
LEADER ASKS
RECOGNITION
At. HEARING
ny BILL PRICE.

by BILL PRICE.
The proceedings before the War
Labor Board today were enlivened
by the appearance Of T. Edwin
Mitchell. claiming to represent a ma
jority Of the employees Of the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company
organized under the title OF the
Brotherhood OF Railway and Electric
Asmployes. Mr.. Mitchell at once re-
cetVed rebuke from James H. Vaney,
representing the Amalgamated Union,
and a spirited argument resulted.
The occasion was the arbitration Of
disagreements between certain en-
ployes OF the Washington Railway
and Electric Company, belonging to
Division esq Of the Amalgamated In
ION and the company. Both sides to
the controversy jointly agreed to sub
NIT their differences to the board.
Charlton Ogburn, A G.. Clapharn and
w. +. Kiernan, examiners for the
beard are conducting the hearings,
and will report their findings to the
joint chatrmen of the board, w. H.
TAFT and Basil Manly, who will ap-
prove or disapprove the findings.
To Decide Twenty-Five Questions.
There are twenty-five questions at
issue, and to a number of the demands
the company makes assent. Upon
these there will probably be agree
ment so that the examiners will not
ave to pass upon more than half of
the twenty-tEEo, although incorpor-
ating the others in their decision.
For the railway trainmen there ap-
peared James H. Vahey, general coun-
sci Of the Amalgamated; Patrick J.
shea, one of the national officers; M.
r. Mangen, local attorney, and John
VI. Goodman, business agent of the
local union.
For the railroad there were present
John II. Barbour, S. r. Bowen, and
William F. Ham.
A large number OF conductors and
notOrmen were present.
Mr.. Mitchell BobS Up.
Just as everything was settling
Gown TO go ahead, Mr.. Mitchell, a
Washington man, inquired from the
examiners what his status might be.
He represented "the brotherhood" he
Eaid. This brotherhood has no con-
troversy with either side. but is vital
ly-interested. It represents, he de-
cIared, 40 men who work on the rail-
way, these constituting a majority OF
an the employees. The brotherhood
has no complaint at present, but asks
The right 10 appear to protect their
own interests.
Mr.. Vahey lost no time in decIar-
ing Mr.. Mitchell to be a "butter-in,"
as having no direct interest in -he
proceedings and his organization a
fake designed ito break up the
local union He objected TO Mitchell
zefng recognized in any way, ridi-
cpled the claim that the brotherhood
has any membership worth speaking
about. He popOsed to call ''the bluff
BY suggesting that the men or each
organization be lined up in uniform
and counted. He would not have any
thing to do with the matter il Nit
ehell was let. in.
Mitchell said his men have no fight
With the AmaIgamated, but he also
did not propose to be blUffed. He
proposed that both sides submit to
the examiners a certified list Of paid
up members OF the respective unions
and let that determine who represents
a majority.
Chairman OEburn. however. stopped
further controversy by saying that
as the Brotherhood has no contro-
versy with the railway company, it
consequently has no issue and the
hearing would be confined to the is
sues, which were bteween certain
employees" and the company. It'll
would be decided later whether Mr. |
Mitchell could submit argument or
brief
Citizens Also Ruled Out.
". Nick. Clayton then submitted the |
question OF his right to appear, cross
examine witnesses and make argu-
unsnt as the representative of the
Federation of Citizens Association.
He said the people here are deeply
Interested in the street railway prob
lem and feI that any proposition that
may throw further burdens upon
them in paying additional fares IS
OF direct concern 20 them. They are