Evening star., 1944-04-21
10000 Hitch
Rides as Arnold
Drivers Strike
Negotiations Begin
| On Settlement Of
| Contract Dispute
Pictures on Page B-lJ

Pictures on Page B-l.J
Negotiations we're begun today
between employees and officials
of the Arnold Operated Bus Linz
and War Labor Board repre-
sentatives in an effort to end q
walkout that for the second time
in f1ve months forced approxi-
mately 10000 Arlington and
Fairfax County commuters to
thumb their way to work this
morning.
The lines ITS drivers voted last
night to hold a Continuous session"
in dispute over a contract Disagree
ment. Service ended with the last
run OF the "owl" buses.
Meeting with company oficials
were O.. j. Mischo, international vice
president Of the AFL Amalgamated
Association of Street, Electric Rail-
way and Motor Coach Employees Of
America: II. J. Harris, president Of
Local 1079 Of the union, j. q.
Hodges, business agent OF the local,
and Richard w. Goodrich, repre-.
senting the WIaB.
Wont Order Men to work.
Douglas Hatch, attorney for the
Arnold line. said Eli Oliver, national
union representative, had informed
him he would not advise the men to
return to work until the company
agrees to bonus system similar to
that in effect with the Capital
Transit Co. Mr.. Hatch said ccm-
pany officials estimated this would
raise employees wages 5 to 8 cents
an hour.
Meanwhile, Clyde Mills, chief Of
the WLB strike section, told union
officials the men must return to work
before an arbitrator will be ap-
pointed to settle the dispute. Union
officials, however, voted unanimous
" this morning against returning
to work.
]. B. Brooks, chairman of Arling-
ton County Selective Service Board
No. /, said deferments granted Ar
mold drivers win be cancelled II the
men continue the strike. Mr.. Brooks
said five drivers now are deferred.
Ofhcials of Selectiye Service Board
No. 2, which has 10 deferred Arnold
drivers, said the hoard will decide
what action to take at q meeting
Tuesday
Pledge Out Of window.
Mr.. Mills said promise made
earlier today that ne would see that
the ui1ioEiys case w3s presented to
the WLB provided the men main
tanned their schedules today was
out 81 the window, r siiace the men
have not returned to work.
Mr.. Mills said an arbitrator can
not be appointed until the case goes
before the board. since the company
has raised technical question that
must first be settled. The question
Is whether the bonus issue is a mat
ter for arbitration, since 1t Is not
part of the contract.
The controversy arose after WLB
had failed to appoint a third
arbitrator for bonus payment nego-
tiations ana followed a notice from
the company Wednesday that 1t
would not consider either bonus pay
ments or an arbitration clause in
negotiating a new contract. The
present agreement expires May l8.
Ifkan order on January 10 grant,
ing the union a straight cents an
hour wage boost, the WLB recom-
mended that the union and com.
pafy officials negotiate for wartime
bonus system. The question was
certified to the .WLB for arbitration
after negotiations broke down q
month ago.
School Children Stranded.
Mr.. Harris said despite requests
by union officials the WLB had not
appointed an arbitrator. Mr.. Harris
quoted Mr.. Mills as saying last night
that, it was surprising that the
WLB had not followed its own order
in appointing an arbitrator.
Meanwhile, Arlington commuters,
warned by radio this morning that
buses would not be running, had no
difficulty hitching rides to work with
cooperative motorists. A survey Of
county roads showed no stranded
groups of commuters and police re-
ported no traffic tie-ups nor any
jams at Rosslyn plaza.
More than 1000 school children
were stranded by lack of bus trans
portation, but county school officials
said all schools would remain open.
Army officials at posts in the
county ordered trucks out to Rosslyn
plaza to bring employees to work
early today, and union officials VOL
unteered to man Army trucks and
buses If needed.
Government war agencies said no
plans for emergency ride-sharing
have been made. The Navy De-
partment said that if it becomes
necessary. cards bearing destina-
tions will be placed on private cars
and passengers will be picked up
behind the Bureau of Supplies and
Accounts Building at the Tidal
Basin.
c. j. Ralston, general superintend-
ent of the Arlington g. Fairfax Mo-
tor Transportation Co., said that he
would put every bus that can be
operated with the manpower short
age" on the roads. He said that his
line had managed to meet It's rush.
hour schedules this morning.
Both Washington and Arlington
cabs also stepped into the emer-
gency and operated pickup" serv-
ice along the various bus routes.
Seemed Under Control.n
Capital Transit Co. officials said
the Army seemed to have every-
thing under control" and the com.
pany would not put any extra street.
cars or buses in service on its lines
leading to Rosslyn circle.
Union officials declared that the
company had Haunted" the WLB
order recommending bonus sys-
tenn and guaranteeing settlement Of
disputes by arbitration.
Company officials, however, in
sisted that they had not terminated
the contract. and that they did not