Evening star., 1951-02-04
Strike
Continued From First Page.

men probably will not have its full
effect before Monday.
Sidney Kerl. superintendent O.
the Washington Terminal Co
which operates Union Station. sale
he was assured yesterday by Will
liam T. jenkins. local BRIT chair
man. that he was urging the mer
to go back.
Regarded as encouraging was
the fact that top carrier and
union representatives were meet
ing together for the first time
since they signed an abortive
agreement December 81.
This agreement awarded the
four union observation-disclosures
neers, flremen, conductors and
trainmen-an hourly wage in
crease Of Is cents for yardmen
and 10 cents for those in train
service. The unions have asked
a 40-hour week with the same
pay received for 48 hours, an in.
crease of about 81 cents an hour
Union officials hailed las,
nights meeting as just what they
had been asking-a chance to si
down in the same room with tht
carrier representatives.
But the carriers, in accepting
the invitation to meet, limited
the scope of their discussions tt
methods of putting in effect the
memorandum of agreement
signed in December. The carrier.
contend that the agreement wa.
binding on the unions.
Carriers Cite Understanding.
In their reply to the Mediation
Board agreeing to the conference
the carrier representatives said:
"As the board members wht
were present will recall. the un.
oerstanding at the time of signins
was that the parties would NEE
IN Washington about January Is
1851, to work out the details ane
translate the memorandum O.
agreement into a complete forma
agreement"
The representatives said the,
have been in Washington sine,
January 8, prepared to complet,
that work.
Union officials have contendes
they also have been on hand sine,
the middle of January, futilely at
tempting to see mediation boart
members and John Steelman, tn,
Presidents labor expert. in re
gard to a meeting with the carrie
representatives.
I'VE could settle this thing il
3 hours if the carriers would 81
down with us in the same room,
a union spokesman said.
More Contempt Actions.
In Chicago, the BRT's presiden
spent the day in court, but did no
testify in the unions fight agains
contempt charges growing out al
earlier strike last December. The1
he boarded a plane for Wash
ington to participate in the nego
tiations along with presidents O
the other rail unions.
The union faces additional con
tempt actions in Washington ant
Cleveland. In the Chicago case
based on an injunction obtained
during a three-day walkout il
Chicago. the Government has de
manded names of all union mem
bers in an effort to show the strik
was a planned action and not /,
wildcat as claimed.
During yesterdays session, rail
road officials handed the cour
names of members who reported
sick during the December walk
out. In each case, the railroad
officials admitted to union at
torneys that BRIT chairmen callet
on the men to return to work.
Judge Urges Return.
Once Judge Michall L. Igoe in
terrupted union lawyer to sug
gest that the switchmen return t.
work and 'let Mr.. Kennedy settl
this matter in Washington"
IF you are sincere" he tol,
the union men at the hearing
'you can do a job and he'll
America get along"
Many union officials in tn
crowd Joined in the applause tha
followed.
the current hearing is owe
by next Wednesday, the trainmel
then must show cause why the,
should not face trial for the walk
out now in progress. Judge Iec,
said the second action will be post
poned if the first case is not set
tied by Wednesday.
Government attorneys said the,
would press the contempt charge
even though the strike ends be
fore a decision is reached.