Evening star., 1943-11-19
10000 Hitch Rides
AS Drivers Walk Out
On Arnold Bus Lines
Union Head Asserts
Men Won't Return
Without Contract
(Picture on Pace Bill

servicemen of the Arnold -Oper-
ated Lines over a delayed wage
contract forced about 10000
commuters of Arlington and
Fairfax Counties to hitch-hike
rides to work and school today.
The walkout was followed quickly
by these developments:
A War Labor Board representa-
tive said WLB would not act on the
case until the drivers return to work.
Determination of the men not to
go back until a contract was OBJ
tanned was voiced by H. j. Harris,
vice president of Local 1919, AFL
| Amalgamated Association of Street
and Electric Railway and Motor
Coach Employees of America.
Negotiations reached an impasse,
with the union attempting to by
pass Clyde Mills, WLB representa-
tive, and lay its case directly before
the WLB itself. A conference in
Arlington this morning was recessed
by union officials with that an
nounced intention.
WLB Delay Is Basis.
Mr.. Mills said the confusion now
is whether the union is striking
against the War Labor Board or
against the Arnold line"
Bone of contention apparently is
WLB delay in acting on the case
sent to it last May. Workers, seeking
Ia 14-cent fiat hourly wage increase,
earlier rejected the company's offer
Of a scent hourly raise.
Emerging from the morning con.
ference With management and Mr..
Mills, Mr.. Harris said the men have
been working on month-to-
month basis since May 18, when the
old contract expired"
The company termed the work
stoppage strike, but union officials
insisted that members are merely
attending a meeting and not on
strike"
Tie-up Complete.
The strike was sudden and the
! tieup complete. The strikes severity
was lightened by private automobile
owners who brought war workers
/ here in their cars.
Approximately 1000 junior and
senior high school students had to
walk to school, according to Miss
Florence Gravatt. Board of Edu-
cation official. She added that those
living in the Virginia Highlands Sec
ton Of the county probably won't
be able to get to school because they
would have to walk about 5 miles,
The bus strike also affected house.
wives. since their maids were unabls
TO obtain transportation.
Meet at Firehouse.
Approximately 180 drivers and
service men, meanwhile. were con-
tinuing at the Ballston Fire Depart
ment meeting they began last
night.
A company official said the en-
ployes apparently do not realize
that our hands are tied until WLB
acts, and that it takes a long time
for the Government to act, in some
cases"
Mr.. Arnold said that at pres
ent the employees are paid II
cents an hour for the first year,
with an automatic raise to 81 cents
an hour after the first year. The
union is seeking a 14-cent raise ap-
! plying to the two scales and are
asking that a contract be made
retroactive to May 18
Meanwhile, the Arlington g. Fair
fax Motor Transportation Co.. which
also serves the Arlington-F Fairfax
area, said it is making every effort
possible to take up some of the
slack" Residents were using the
Arlington-FairfaX line wherever pos
sible
Officers and enlisted men working
in the Signal Corps Office at Airing
ton Hall were being picked up at
Rosslyn Circle by Army trucks sent
from Arlington Hall.
To handle the crowds at the Ross
lyn terminal, the Capital Transit
Co. increased the number of street.
cars in service on its Rosslyn line
from Is to 30 during the morning
rush hour. The additional cars con-
tinued in operation until about 8:45
| (See STRIKE page A.ool