The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-07-05

signed such a contract has been a
matter>of doubt since the trouble
has been impending several weeks
ago.
At a hearing before the public
commission last Thursday, when six
ty-four employees sought reinstate-
ment, the men testified they had not
signed such a contract and did not
know one was in existence.
Officials of the company, however,
introduced blanks said to be the
contract which the men signed be-
fore going to work.
For the past eight weeks Parker
Robert Armstrong, association vice
presidents. have been in Indianapolis.
When the men first came to Indi-
annapolis they were arrested several
times. These two, with certain as
sociates, were arrested fifty-three
times by police on various charges.
A tentative proposal was submit
ted to Todd. street car COM.
pany president, several weeks ago
by the association. This was
said to have set out a wage scale
which was much higher than the
present one, a request for time and
one-half for overtime, after a maxi
mum working day of eight hours,
and recognition of the union.
Pay Increases
81
The present scale begins at 81
cents an hour for motorman and
conductors and increases / cent a
year to AZ cents in five years. There
is no increase after that period.
Bus operators and operators of
one-man cars begin at AZ cents and
receive increases to 46 cents at the
fifth year.
According to Todd, the present
scale compares favorably with those
In effect i'm other cities as large as
Indianapolis.
Union officials said they had made
several efforts to arbitrate with the
company but Todd has refused to
hear them. Street car company Of
ficiafs said the proposal submitted
by the union was the regular
Amalgamated Association schedule
and did not come from the en-
ployes.
Todd stated some time ago that
he would not meet with Parker and
Armstrong but that he would hear
a committee of street railway en-
ployes or a bona fide employee
leader"
Before Governor, Mayor
The union and company officials
have been before Governor Jackson
and Mayor Duvall several times. 1t
is understood that both Duvall and
Jackson recommended immediate set
Element of the dispute for public
good.
presence Mayor Duvall dictated a
letter to the street a company last 4
Monday urging officials to arbitrate
Immediately. This letter was not
received by Todd or other officials,
it was said.
Union officials. after their numer-
u arrests, presented the situation
to the Marion County courts and
obtained a preliminary injunction
from Special Judge Scion J. Car
ter in Superior Court Three, pre-
venting police from afresting the
men.
About three weeks ago Frank
Baker, association attorney, filed
suit for $3.50, 900 against board Of
safety members, alleging malicious
prosecution against Parker and
Armstrong and associates.
Injunction Issued
Ten days ago, association mem
bers and attorneys and street car
company representatives appeared
before Federal Judge Robert c.
Baltzell, VINO was holding court at
Terre Haute and sought action on
the temporary restraining order
against Parker. Armstrong and the
ASSOCIATION. Inc RESTRAINING OrQef |
was pending in the court until last
Saturday when Judge Baltzell dis
solved the temporary order and is
sued the preliminary injunction.
The action today brings to mind
the strike of 1913. The men went
out on Oct. 1, and did not work for
seven days.
At this time, the street car service
was entirely stopped, and the public
was cut off from street car facili-
ties. Efforts of the company to run
cars, was met with violence by
strikers and much damage was done
to the company's property. One man
was killed in a gun battle at the
Louisiana ST. barns. The slayer vas
not found.
Another disturbing rumble among
street car employees was heard Nov.
8, 1916, when the working contract,
now in effect. was introduced and
several of the workers refused to
sign. This move. however, was not
CaupTaJ and soon faded ont.