The Washington times., 1920-04-17
W.R. &c. MENCALL
OFF STRIKE PLANS
Vote Unanimously to Accept
Hams Promise to Arbl-
trate Differences.
CONTINUED from First Page)

Continued FROM FlrAt faseI
men. Mshany declared the letter
meant the company had practically
agreed to arbitrate everything
Take Mahmny's Word.
"I give YOU my word, the word OF
the Depart nent OF Labor, and the
word OF the United States Govern
men that these companies viii srbi-
trate all differences" declared Mr.
Mahany. 1t was shortly after this
declaration the men voted against
strike.
When the meeting opened at
o'clock this morning the attendance
WAS very small. BY 2:3O zoo men
. ,ad filled the room. During the hrst
Lalf hour the meeting went along
very peacefully. Conciliator Mahany
occupied the floor the entire Time
"You men have practically won
out" said Mr.. Mshany For the
frst time in many months President
Ham has receded from his decided
stand regarding arbitration or all
differences, including the question OF
contract"
Read Hams Letter.
The letter of Mr.. Hams. which was
read, stated the company was ready
and willing to arbitrate all matters.
Although Mr.. Ham did not dehnitely
say the company would arbitrate the
question OF contract, Concll'ator
Mahany told the men that the letter
practically held him 10 such a propo-
sition. He pointed to this paragraph:
1--WE respectfully submit that this
communication. under the circum-
stances should suffice to meet all the
requirements of the existing situa-
ton"
"All of the requirements" Mr.. Ma
hany declared would necessarily in
cIude the matter of contract, and
President Ham wrote that letter with
one single thought In mind. and that
was to convey to Secretary of Labor
the assurance that his companies
were willing to arbitrate all points
OF differences.
.'It is the best assurance we can
give of our entire good faith in cary
ing out awards which may be made
by such committees Of arbitration as
may be selected to poss upon the
question OF wages, working condi-
tions and matters which we cannot
come to amicabIe settlement by di-
rect negotiation with our employees,
said another part OF the letter.
Letter Is Now a Record.
Following the reading. complaint
was made by several trainmen that
Ham did not specifically state he
would arbitratc the dispute over the
contract. Mahany told the men that
the letter was now a record OF the
Department of Labor. and stated en-
phaticalIy that there was not the
slightest doubt in his mind that the
company would arbitrate.
The union men voted to accept the
letter of President Ham as one made
IN good faith and to arbitrate. through
= board of arbitration composed of
one company representative, one as
ISOLATION representative, and the
third to be selected by tthe first two
named. This board Is to have full
power to settle all disputes, includ-
ing contract.
Question arose regarding the seiec-
ton OF third man. Mahany was
asked who would appoint the third
arbitrator If the first two men failed
to pick man suitable to both sides.
He declared that ten days would be
given to appoint a third party and
II after that time was UP no man
was appointed, than tho District Com
missioncrs should make the appoint
mcnt.
Mr.. Mahany made it clear the men
or company could not object to the
commissions appointment.
Calls Letter "Camouflagc.'
During the debate over the letter
A. L. Jones. International officer OF
the hmalgsmated Association, who
presided, threw a bombshell in the
meeting when he made this Geclara-
tion:
"I can see nothing in the letter
which binds the company to arbi-
trate the question of contract | do
not want you men TO be influenced
by what ] say, but l feel compelled
to tell you how feel on the matter.
I have very carefully read Mr.. Hams
letter. 1t contains a lot of words,
and appears to me as a great piece
of camounagc."
Conciliator Mahany then made a
further explanation of his opinion of
the meaning of the letter. He failed
to convince Mr.. Jones.
J. II. Goodman, business agent of
the division of the hmalgamated AS
Company, was the next man to take
the platform.
81 am OF the same opinion as Jones.
All VIC have here Is a bunch of high
class words. I fail to see any word
in the letter that mentions signed
contract nor do ! see any assurance
by the company that they will arbi-
tratc the question of contract
Msbnuy Claims Victory.
"I claim I have won a victory for
YOU men," declared Mr.. Mahany. "You
have my word of honor that the com
pany will arbitratc all matters. My
word is the bond of the Government
OF the United states. ] have done my
part and you gentlemen can take such
action. as you wish ! wish to say,
however that this is not represcn-
tative meeting, and that any adverse
action taken will not be considered
by the United states Government as
the expression of sentiment of en-