Evening star., 1946-10-21
Change Seen
In DeadIocked
Hotel Dispute
11-Doy-OId Strike
Continues; Hope Is
Held for New Offer

Washington's 11-day-old hotel
strike continued today without ap-
parent surface changes, but in an
atmosphere of expectancy that the
new week will bring renewed at
tempts, at settlement.
Nothing of specific nature had
been disclosed, however, in an effort
to reopen negotiations between the
5000 striking service workers and
the management Of the 18 affected
hotels.
Nor was there anything to indi-
cate either the unions or manage
ment might recede from declared
positions over arbitration, wages
and other issues which caused the
collapse of joint negotiations late
last week.
The chief hope of bringing
spokesmen for opposing groups to-
gether still appeared to rest with
Labor Conciliator Clyde Mills. But
not even Mr.. Mills would make any
promises as to when or whether his
conciliatory efforts might bear fruit
Two Principal Barriers.
However, he reported, he is keep
ing in constant touch with Joseph
c. McGarraghy, attorney for the
hotels, and Samuel Levine, attorney
for the hotel unions. He reiterated
previous statements that he will call
joint conference when anything
develops which might offer a basis
for renewed conversations.
The rival leaders said they are
prepared to meet at Mr.. Mills call.
Both insisted they are willing to
arbitrate if they can agree upon
what is to be arbitrated.
The two principal barriers to arbi-
tration appeared to be wages and
the question of a clause in the pro-
posed new contract which would
provide for arbitration between
management and the union on dis
putes arising while the new agree
ment is in operation.
The wage issue appeared to pre-
sent double e-barreled obstacle to
negotiations.
The hotels still insisted that arbi-
tration should be confined solely to
wages. The union said they would
not agree to arbitration unless it
deals with all issues in controversy.
Hotels Want Limited Arbitration.
| On the wage issue, hotels insisted
that arbitration be confined to the
increase they have proposed to pay
and compromise proposal made by
Mr.. Mills. The hotels have offered
increases of cents per hour for
nontip receiving employees and 212
cents to those receiving tips. Mr..
Mills suggested 8 and 4 cents.
4 Mr. Levine said the unions will
not go into arbitration under an
agreement which would recognize
the compromise offer as the maxi
mum to be awarded to workers
There must not be any restrictions
he said, on the amount board OF
arbitration might set.
/ While developments we're awaited,
the strike continued exactly as from
the start, II days ago. Picketing
continued despite rain yesterday and
today. Checkouts of transients
emptied additional rooms and none
of the affected hotels was accept
! ing new registrations.
i Guests continued to attend to
practically all their personal sery-
ice needs. They still had heat, hot
water and telephone and elevator
service provided by hotel employees
. not affected by the strike, but no
maid, bellboy, porter or similar serv-
I ice.
| Canteen for Pickets Planned.
| Mr.. Levine announced a canteen
for strike pickets will be in full
operation tomorrow in Plasterers
Hall, 1924 New Jersey avenue NV,
serving coffee, doughnuts and sand
Wiches.
/ The attorney also said he had
received a pledge of support for
, the strikers from Columbia Typo
graphical Union No. 101.
Robert Lester, president of Team
sters Joint Council No. SIS, said the
council will meet "at an early date,
; probably tomorrow" to discuss a
proposal that union teamsters shut
off all deliveries to struck hotels
Union officials said such ban would
affect everything delivered"-fuel,
baggage and food among other ar
ticles-except laundry. Most OF the
4 struck hotels have their own laun-
dries, but they are among the other