Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-15
President Ham Outlines
Principle Under Which
EMPLOYERS Will Settle

The boards of directors Of the
Washington Railway and Electric and
Potomac Electric Power companies
at a meeting yesterday afternoon,
voted unanimously to stand by the
principles of the War Labor Board
in dealing with their employees.
In 4 statement issued after the
meeting. William F. Ham. president
of both companies. recited these as
being among the principles which the
companies will adhere to:
l. The right of workers to organ
ize in trade unions and to bargain
collectively through chosen repre-
sentatives Is recognized and affirmed.
This right shall not be denied,
abridged or interfered with by the
employers in any manner whatsoever.
"2. The right of employers to or
ganize in associations of groups and
to bargain collectively through chosen
representatives Is recognized and az
firmed. This right shall not be de-
MED. abridged or interfered with by
the workers in any manner whatso-
ever.
IS. Employers should not discharge
workers for membership in trade
unions. nor for legitimate trade union
activities.
-. The workers. in the exercise Of
their right to organize. shall not use
coercive measures of any kind to in
duce persons to Join their organlza-
lions nor to induce employers to bar
gain or deal Herewith.
"5. In. establishments where union
and non-union men and women now
meets only with employees or repre-
sentatives engaged in said establish
ments, the continuance Of such condi-
lions shall not be deemed grievance.
Recognizes Wage Inequality.
In the statement Mr.. Ham says the
directors recognize that it tends toward
unrest to have the men Of another COM
pany paid higher wages and he gives
assurance that the Washington Railway
and Electric will give its car men the
same scale now paid the Capital Trac-
ton men II the Public Utilities Commits
sion allows a sufficient rate OF fare
Mr.. Ham estimates in the statement
that it would cost 100000 a year to
give the car men the increase recently
granted by the Capital Traction. Con-
tinuing. the statement reads:
I'VE have constantly presented to our
employees, when in conference with them
a. individuals or with committees or
vita their advisers, the desirability and
necessity for arbitration by the Public
Utilities Commission OF all matters re-
lating to wages where We are not able
to enter into agreement among our
selves, this for the reAson that the Pub
lie Utilities Commission 10 the only au-
thorty having Jurisdiction over rev.
enues and over certain operating condi-
tions Of the road having an important
bearing on revenues.
"In addition to this We have indicated
our willingness on all other matters.
such as discipline. to agree on other
boards OF arbitration II the employees
do not desire this class Of grievance to
be submitted to the Public Utilities
Commission, in the event Of inability to
come to amicable Agreement
Wishes Clear Cnderstanding.
This statement is issued through
the press in order that the public and
all our various groups Of employees.
whether members OF the Amalga-
mated Association. the Railway
a clear understanding Of the position
Of the board in determining to be
governed In all these matters by the
principles laid down for our guidance
by the federal government. With a
clear understanding OF the matter we
OF entire fairness in the considera-
tion Of every condition which affects
them and Of our entire disposition to
pay as good wages al anybody else n
we are supplied the necessary reve-
nues.
"The great majority Of our ernploye.
have not asked for contract and
have felt perfectly satisfied with the
good faith Of the company, as exer.
cised by it through the principles un
der which we have been workine
successfully for the past year and q
half. and which viii be followed until
the government has adopted some
ofhar ruiz of conduct"