The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-06-30

calieu, without reference To any
strike action the union may have
taken as union.
Examiner Questions
The examiner had been ques-
tioning witnesses as to whether
they had been willing at all times,
and were willing now, TO return to
work If called.
Gershon objected to these ques-
uons as having no bearing upon
whether a man should be entitled
to claim compensation under the
act. The examiner ruled against
him but permitted exceptions to be
noted in the record.
Finally Gershon offered to prove
by Freeman L. Cochran, secretary
of Local Q. that the union had not
at any time taken any action deny
ing any member the right to re-
turn to work if work was avail
able and he wished as an individ-
ual to respond to a call back to
work.
After argument. Cochran took
the stand and declared the union
had taken no action to prevent a
man going back to work if called.
Could Go Back
so far as the union is concerned,
any man available for work may
return TO work if called ?"
Yes Cochran replied. He add
ed that the employer had not been
operating but had been inviting
employees to return to work But
as far az he knew, Cochran said
there was no work availa BILE.
Then it would be useless for
anyone to go back to work."
Correct
On cross-examination by Gross
cup. Cochran said the men had
been invited back to work by
newspaper statements and COM
munications to the union. which he
admitted. had been read at union
meetings
THE fact that they didn't 60
back to work was their own per-
sonal matter, them" Grosscup
asked.
That question bothered Cochran, =
90 he ad,,oittnd aud a. n ,o,,n,opt
between counsel followed, during
which Gershon suggested that
there was difference between the
act of the union and an act of an
individual worker; that an indi-
''idual would have the right to re-
spond in spite of any action by the
union.
Union Took Action"
When Grosscup asked Cochran
If it wasn't a fact that the union
did take an action as TO whether
its members would work at the
mill, Gershon interposed his will
ingness to stipulste that the union
did take action. However, Coch-
ran would say only that the union
had voted to negotiate and Gross
cups question as To whether the
union had not further voted not
10 go back to work until negotia-
ions were completed brought from
Cochran the statement that they
lid not vote not TO work until ne
gotiations were completed.
Most Of the other testimony of
he morning WAS that Of individual
claimants about the circumstances
lnder which they quit work. Some
said they Were ready to 60 back
o work whenever called. some said
hey'd return if it was o. X. with
he union. while others are not
members of any union and are out
# work because all operations are
down"
Wednesdays sessions We're held
n the Maccsbees hall. 18TH and
'seific. Because construction
york on the street made il diff |
uit TO hear in the hall, todsy's
caring WAS held in the Legion
ldg.
Testimony Of dozen witnesses. a
Il employees Of the firm, was taken n
y the examiner Wednesday az S
ernoon. Most OF the men ques- b
oned we're represented by counsel. ii
few We're individuals affected b
Y the compensation denial, who c
poke for themselves q
James Moithar. attorney sum G