The Washington times., 1920-04-15
Federal ConclIiator Persuades
Car and Electric Men to =
Seek Arbitration.
CsAnIttee ReDeTts Refusal.
(continued from First Pass.)


men. Charles II. Cannon, w. II. Fod-
der and w. III. Cockrell. the commit
tee which called upon President Ham,
declared the company had refuseo
Icontract.
The next. speaker was j. II. Lorch.
president 0f the local division or the
international Association or steam
and Operating Engineers. Hc de-
ciared the men were facing . serious
proposition in considering q strike.
and outlined to them the results OF
walkout by the Pepco men.
~ don't want to throw any colo wa
ter On your plans" said Mr. Lorcn'
"but ] want to caution you to be care
full. This is a serious matter.
"Wc must take no drastic move un-
I'll we are absolutely sure all other
methods to settle our differences have
failed. We must also remember that
wer are Americans, and we must con.
slider our duty to tho Government OF
the United States. Our hospitals
would be without light, and Govern
mont operations would be seriously
intcrfered with. Before any serious
step is taken, let's very carefully con-
slider tho effects OF q walkout;
above all. let US remember our
duty to that nag (he then pointed to
the American nag draping the front
Of the haiI(." .,,.. .,-y d..
wariike Spirit QseIleA.- ~. :.
Mr.. Z. Lorch's speech somawhat
quelied the. warlike spirit Of the me-
tormsn aud conductors. ~ .s@:a -
The next speaker was ThomasrH,
Il Jones, secretary, to the engineers or
raniEation. He made Substantially
Il the same statement a. Mr. Lorch, sup
i pIementing 1t with an aditional state
| ment as to the serious effects OF n
| walkout. go. : N'as
Newton A. James. representing the
| International Association OF Fircmen.
1 Oilers and Helpers. having . branch
! speech, in which he sugg gested that q
4 further attempt. be made to- af6itrAtc
/ the. issues at hand. Charles" Fraser,
\ representing the machinists, also
spoke. He apparently favored >
4 strike. ~
IT. appeared from tho speeches of
Mr.. Lorch and Mr.. James that the
tPepco organizations, while ready to
back up the car men, were not enthu-
siastic ever walking cut. Both the
1 ment could very easily bring in engt-
4 ncers %, replace the strikers. He
also asserted that other members OF
aio association would be affected, for
\ they could not work ff the Pepco'
power plants were not being operated.
Strike Now Disastrous.
! Conciliator Mahaney's spesch con-
yinced the men that the best course
| at present would be to postpone dras-
| tic action for some time. He de-
clared it was not impossible to make
! the companies sign an agreement.
| '"If you men strike at this time. II
4 will Bring disaster to you and to
your national organization" he said.
"It is not an opportune moment Ior
a walkout. You haven't given the
labor Department chance to Aid In
citing your difficulties. The last
+, pop TO settle the difference peace-
hfiy has not been taken, and 1t Is
your duty to the public OF washing
ton to postpone action. In tho mean
ttime, an attempt will be made to ef-
feet an amicable settlement.
Nothing will be lost by a post
ponement. Everything win be won,
I come here as a friend / want to
4 be frank with you. and want you to
know the true situation. Ihis A
very serious matter, and you men
must think well before you take any
| drastic measures.
| Public Final Judge.
"The public hardly know what you
men are after. 1t is the public that
first should be considered. If you
want public sentiment, then post
ponc drastic action. offer to arbi-
trate. all points of differences. Ex-
| tend your time for action. If you
| offer to arbitrate all points of differ
ences, including the signed contract,
| and the company refuses to arbitrate.
then the responsibility for the strike
will be on the shoulders of the COM
pany.
"As Il is now, the responsibility is
on you men. i urge you to postpone
YOUR action. You have plenty OF
| time, and will lose nothing by a de-
Law. n you men will offer to arbi-
trate then I will take the matter up
with the company, with a view to
| arbitrating all points OF differences
| including contract"
So forceful and impressive was Mr..
Mahaney's speech that the attitude OF
the motormen and conductors was
given sudden turn.
The concluding speech was made by
| 7. II. Goodman, business agent OF
| Local ESQ Of the Amalgamated, com
posing Capital Traction Company en-
pioyes. He declared the men had
waited months for the company TO
used a contract"
'It is up to you to decide" he de-
clared. You have been fiatly re-
used a fcontract."
shnrp Tilt Ensues.
| Several points. of Mr.. Cookman's
speech were challenged by Mr.. Ma
haney, and for several minutes a
rather lively debate cnsued.
Mr.. Cookman's speech concluded,
Chairman Jones announced open dis
cussion was in order. A motion to
accept Mr.. Mahaney's suggestion OF
arbitration was made. An amend
ment, giving the company another As
hours to come to an agreement, was
proposed. After a heated debate, the
motion and amendment was put to a
vote. The motion carried. the meet