The Washington times., 1920-02-04
CARMENS SEEK
BOOST IN PAY
Employees Of Both Lines to Ask
Increase OF Ten Cents
An Hour.

Conductors and motormen OF the
Washington Railway and Electric
ompany and the Capital Traction
ompany who are members OF the
malgamsted Association OF street
nd Electric Railway Employees. VIII
SIX for an increase In wages In the
,ext few weeks, according TO a state
lent made today by j. IA. Cookman,
usiness representative OF the asso-
iation.
The employees have not decided how
nuch of an increase to ask, but II Is
Understood they want at least 10 cents
n hour more than their present
age scale, which Is 81 cents an hour.
hsnges In working conditions alho
III be asked when the representa-
yes of tho men appear before oni-
ais OF the railway companies to
,tition for higher wages.
The Amalssmsted has two branches
Washington Local No. S75, COM
sed OF 500 employees OF the w. II.
ID f.. and Local No. 0S9. composed
moro than 600 employees of the
Japitsl Traction Company. Several
months ago the Amalgamated was
successful In getting officials or rail-
way companies to increase wages
Increase Inadequate.
1--WE appreciate the increase that
was given us several months ago
said Mr.. Cookmsn, "but the present
wages are Insufficient to meet the
high cost OF living. Everything has
gone up, and we need more money.
We will know In a week how much
Of an increase we will ask. There Is
no doubt in my mind that the men
should be given more money. for 1t Is
almost impossible to live on the pres
ent wages that are being paid"
officials of Local No. $50 today are
working on proposed changes in an
agreement which the local has with
the Capital Traction Company. This
agreement provides that revision
may be made on March 80 of each
year. IL the association or the COM
pany desires to have changes made.
Mr. Goodman states that the Amalga-
mated will submit to the Capital
'raction Company an agreement
imilar to the one now In effect,
yhioh will provide increased wages
md better working conditions. The
everal weeks and submitted to the
ompany At the end of this month.
There is no agreement between the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company and the Amalgamated. Mr-
Cookman states the men are draw
ing up an agreement which they will
ask the company to sign. Officials
OF the Amalgamsted are very anx-
| ious that the Washington Railway
! and Electric officials enter into a
contract with them. This agreement
will change the present wages and
| working conditions The increase
| provided in this agreement will be
| similar to the one provided In the
| Capital Traction agreement.
April I Is The Day.
| Mr.. Goodman said today he hoped
that the Amalgamated would have
an agreement, favorable to employees
| and officials OF both companies. in ef-
feet by April I next
At present, an agreement made by
the War labor Board many months
| ago is being followed by employees and
| officials OF the w. r and e. The
amalgamated is very anxious that
| this agreement be set aside, IL the
company still contends 1t is effective,
even though the board no longer Is
| in existence.
| It is understood that the Brother
hood of Street and Electric Railway
Employees. composed also Of employees
Of the w. R and E, will ask for a
20 per cent increase In wages. effec-
| tive March /. This was decided when
the Brotherhood met last night.
Text Of Letter.
The Brotherhood Of Electric Rail-
way Employees sent this letter to Will
liam r. Ham, President, Washington
Railway and Electric Company today:
1--WE, the Brotherhood of Electric
Railway Employees, make the follow
| ing demand:
| "owing to the continued high cost
of living, we md that the increase in
pay that you granted us last october
is inadequate, and we can not meet
our obligations, and provide our fam
lilies with the necessary comforts OF
| life.
| Therefore, circumstances over
which we have no control. force us to
ask for another increase in pay. We
need Immediate relief, 1t is imperative
that we get relief by March LIST. 1890.
I'VE ask that trainmen be graded up
to so cents per hour, and all other
employees of the Washington Railway
and Electric Company and its suosid-
Iiarles be granted a corresponding In
| crease.
The general working conditions are
satisfactory. We have no grievance
but our pay must be equal to our nee
essary expenses"
| It is signed by Geo. Herbert IL: L.
Lynn, A. c. Denis, c. f. Jones' ana L.