Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-15

Prospects Of preventing the threat
ened tie-up Of street car traffic and
electric power in Washington were
bright today. following Intervention
of the Department of Labor. repre-
sented by R. B. Mahaney as concilia-
tor. and adoption at the mass meeting
OF the Amalgamated Association OF
Street and Electric Railway Employees
in Walters Hall early this morning
Of a resolution Offering to arbitrate
difficulties with the company and post
poning the strike for forty-eigh,
hours.
Mr.. Mahaney held three conferences
on the situation today up to 2 o'clock
He first went into a closed interview
with the District Commissioners, then
conferred with Washington Railway
thence to the Office Of the Secretary
OF Labor for another conference.
With the resolution Of the men az
working basis. Mr.. Mahaney went
into conference with the District Com.
missioners at IL o'clock.
Situatjen Called Sesisus.
Tt IL . serious situation." he De.
ciared. shortly after the conference
with the Commissioners. we have
worked only on prelinninarfes. Definite
results will scarcely be Forthcoming
before late today or early tomor-
row."
Compromises by both company and
men are necessary to settlement is
believed. and the shaping Of these, 1t
is anticipated. will be difficult. II the
company will agree to written recog-
milton of the union, 1t IL declared by
labor men. all chance Of . strike will
be removed.
Upon the action Of the carmen, 1t
10 understood in labor circles. de-
pends the action Of the employees Of
the Potomac Electric Power Company.
morning at o'clock, when the forty
eight hours as grace voted by the
men expire, the other unions are
pledged to support them. All of them
are working for recognition OF the
unions. and each has promised to ac-
cept no contract unless also accept
ed by all of the others.
Men Favored strike.
Walters Hall was crowded with
members OF the Amalgamated Asso.
ciation at midnight. the general tenor
Of the assembly being to walk ou,
on immediate notice. Had strike
vote been taken before 2 o'clock 1,
bers. the city today would be expert
encing q street railway strike.
r. b, Mahaney, conciliator. repre-.
sentinE the Department OF Labor, ar.
rived at 1880. He held several shor,
informal Interviews with the variou,
the men was made by J. H. Lorsh
representing the union stationary en-
gineers and substation employees o.
the Potomac Electric Power Company
Although the organization had strike
permission from the international as
hA -
give the company every possibl,
means Of avoiding drastic action. ant
called attention to the effects OF I
walkout in the power plant.
"Consider the effect upon the public
when the strike. labor's last resort
give the company every chance t
reach an agreement. By calling I
strike we affect public institutions
and the government Unless we mad
sure IT was a last resort 1t would b.
in effect slapping Uncle Sam In tn
face. We can't AFFORD It,
Sentiment Begins to Change.
This address paved the way for th'
turn of sentiment. n. A. James, rep
lesenting the firemen and oilers. fol
lowed with another address. asklnl
that the men consider wisely befor
taking action. and intimated that de!a,
of hours for consideration and to al
low the company to come to term
might be advisable. although he as
sured the association of the continues
backing Of his organization.
Charles Frazier, representing tn
machinists. spoke on virtually tn
same lines.
Then Mr.. Mahaney took the foo,
Evidence of the semi-hostility Of tn
audience was recognized by him. an
he referred to it in the opening sen
tences of his address. He spoke TWEEN
IL minutes, assuring the men Of hi
friendIiness to them and his desire t
id them.
The United States government, h
told them. is too rich and powerful I
buck" without at first taking ever
possible means of averting troubl,
lie declared that the Labor Depart
nent would make every effort to brin
:bout an agreement satisfactory to a
J,arties concerned
omnipotent" he declared. but If yo
viii consider the adoption of a resol,
;ion giving only forty-eight hours, an
ask President Ham for arbitration
even as to recognition Of the uniol
l believe that results might be forti
coming which would be agreeable
on. and which will avert disaster.
cites Resulting "Disaster."
IF this strike is called tonight
r.ilI result in disaster to you and a
:malgamated interests because ever
POSSIBLE means have not been TAX.
,or it's aversion. The Department
abor which has a bureau Great.
Tor the specific purpose Of scttlir
disputes between capital and labo
was not called in until late yesterds
afternoon. We have had but q fe
hours to work. Give us a chance.
am sure that at least considerable
will be given to recognition of Il
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