Evening star., 1945-11-21

an arbitration representative and
that these two were to agree within
48 hours on a third member. If
agreement was not reached within
that time, the Secretary OF Labor
was to have chosen q third member
The proposal stated that the arbi-
tration board would decide on the
increase in hourly wages proposed by
the union and that any increase
would be retroactive to November 8,
1945.
Immediately after Mr.. Good
rick's presentation of the proposal,
w. H. Van Stavern, another union
representative at conciliation meet
ings. moved that the proposal be
adopted. 1t was with difiiculty that
he made himself heard over the
cries of No! mol"
President Seeks Order.
w. F.. Simms, president of Local
$50, who occupied the chair, at
tempted to restore order.
That no offer was incorporated
in the proposal is a great disap-
pointment," he said,
Mr.. Van Stavern and Walter j.
Bierwagon, the third union repre-
sentative at conciliation meetings,
then attempted to justify adoption
Of the proposal.
Mr.. Bierwagon read a prepared
statement In which he said the
walkout of transit employees two
weeks ago had demonstrated the
unity of purpose and collective
strength of the employees; demon
strated to the public that employees
had legitimate grievance and that
transit workers are a vital element
in the community and advised the
Government that 1t also has stake
In the proceedings.
Star Editorial Read.
Mr.. Van Stavern read yesterdays
editorial on the transit issue in The
Star, stressing the point made
therein that the union had signed
a contract specifying arbitration Of
wage demands and should abide by
its signed word.
Then ensued a stormy two hours
in which speaker after speaker took
the floor. the majority opposing the
proposal.
A few speakers, including Sam B.
Berrong, a national officer of the
union, advocated that the union
abide by its current contract and
resort to arbitration. The vast ma
jority demanded an immediate
showdown on the wage increase.
Some speakers, spearheaded by
Robert F. Parks, a streetcar operator
in the Northeast Division. charged
the press with failure to present the
unions side Of the wage dispute.
The press, barred from previous
meetings, was permitted inside the
arena this morning.
Speakers said the 30 per cent raise
was demanded because take-home
pay at present scales on 40
hour week would be about $31 and
that this is not a living wage.
This was the sentiment of vast
majority. Union members following
the meeting explained that many OF
those present rarely attended union
meetings, but in this instance were
moved to action purely by economic
considerations.
Randolph Attends Meeting.
Chairman Randolph, who arrived
by plane from Oklahoma City at
1925 am, went to the meeting.
In a speech during which he
traced his record as friend OF
labor and one of those who had
defended the Wagner Act and laws
governing wages and hours. Mr.
Randolph said he would fight to
the last to see you have right tc
do exactly what you want to do"
He pointed out that the contract
to which the union had agreed, how
ever, does not expire until June 80
1946, and that the contract provides
that differences between union anc
management be put to arbitration
Lack Of Interest Charged.
A previous speaker had charged
Lnat the DlStflct commissioners anC
Senate and House District Commit.
tees had shown q lack of interes
in the unions demands. Mr.. Ran.
dolph said his assistance never hat
been asked by the union, but tina
he felt 1t was his duty as chairman
Of the House District Committee Il
attend the meeting.
Charges that the press has no
printed the unions side of the story
were intermingled with charges thai
newspapers instinctiyely side with
the company and are Influenced by
Capital Transit advertising.
Mr.. Simms said, after thes,
charges had been made, that HI
considered the coverage of the dis