The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-07-17
COMPANY, UNION
LAWYERS MEET
Continued From Page ~

union members, on charges Of rout
and ritous conspiracy. Four other
men have been arrested on the
charges.
The street railway continued to
operate nearly all it's cars. but upon
siege footing. Police guarded cars,
the workers received So a day more
than the regular wage scale. and
cars were equipped with brushes in
front of the front wheels 10 sweep
explosives off the tracks.
Vandals got around this precau-
tionary measure during the night by
placing charge of dynamite on
rails at the end OF the w. Tenth ST.
line where the car reverses to turn
around. There being no brushes on
the rear wheels the dynamite was
exploded, damaging the car. No one
was hurt.
The conferees meeting this
morning were Will III. Latta. at
torney for the street railway; Frank
p. Baker, attorney for the car mems
union, and Committeeman Frank S,
Clark, chairman; DIR. Alva w. Tay-
lor, William p. Hapgood Arthur Zip-
kin, State Senator William I. QUIZ
lin and Alex Vonnegut.
Latta contended the men broke
their contract with the company by
striking and that, therefore, the
company will not enter inc a new
contract with them.
Baker argued there was no con-
tract and that IL there ever-was a
contract between the company and
it's employees, it was nullified many
times by the company prior to the
strike.
Based on Decisions
Latta based his contention on a
preliminary decision of Federal Judge
Robert c. Baltzell.
The company nullified the con-
tract, if it existed as the company
contends, by altering it without con-
sulting the employees, Baker argued.
The alterations. Baker contended,
consisted in increasing the minimum
wage Of II cents an hour in 1914,
to 40 cents an hour during the
World War and subsequently until
fare increase had been secured,
and then reducing it to the present
figure OF 81 cents an hour.
The company violated the contract,
If it existed, by discharging employ
es for joining the union, he said. be-
cause the alleged contract contains a
provision that employment is on the
open-shop basis. that there be no dis
elimination against an employee be-
cause he does or does not belong to
union.
Baker Makes Offer
Baker. in the presence Of the
committee, offered again to submit
all differences between the strikers
and the company to an impartial
arbitration body. and invited Latta
to accept the offer.
you're just trying to get a new
contract, and we've already got one,
and I'm not going to fall in the
trap" Latta replied.
"Then you refuse fatty to arbi-
trate" Baker pressed.
I'VE will arbitrate under the terms
Of our contract with our employees"
Latta said.
Blu my clients haven't any con-
tract with you, they've sworn to It,"
Baker said, and laughter broke up
the meeting with all parties realizing
the attorneys were right back at the
startin gpoint, the contract question.
:. Proceedings before the public
service commission some. time ago,
when, under the terms of a con-
tract company officials swore in
Federal Court they entered into with
every new employee, sixty-four men,
discharged for joining the union.
petitioned for reinstatement, were re.
viewed.
The case was dismissed when the
men refused to admit the execution
between the company and them
commission lacked Jurisdiction. The
statute does not give the commits.
sion authority to decide whether
there is a contract, Attorney Cen
eral Gilliom ruled at that time, and
the commissions authority to act is
contained in contracts. the existence
of which must be admitted by both
parties to arbitration proceedings.
Questions Latta
Hapgood questioned Latta whether
the company would arbitrate a pro-
.ceeding before the commission now,
brought by a worker and not a
striker. Latta replied:
I'VE will arbitrate under the terms
Of the contract"
Clark asked Latta II present
employe brought such a proceeding
whether he would be discharged to
rob him Of his standing as a party
to TIE contract. Latta replied the
emptbye would not be discharged,
The committee then went into ex-
ecutive session TO decide on its next
step. At the conclusion of the ses.
sion It was announced that no de-
cision had been reached. but that