Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-08-01

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the month-old strike before ad-
journment late tonight or to-
morrow. Chairman Mcmillan Of
the House District Committee
persuaded the leadership to move
UP the bill for early consiGera-
ton.
This morning the District
Commissioners conferred on the
proposals and decided to go to
the House gallery this afternoon
to be available if called on fol-
advice on what may be COM
promise between Senate and
House bills.
The question before the House
Is: Should the District Commits
sioners be authorized to enter
into q contract with Capital
Transit which in time might
bring an end to the company and
hasten settlement Of the strike:
II it were that simple, one
might begin digging UP his al
most-forgotten streetcar tokens
But nothing is that simple, espe-
cially in Congress.
The House probably will pass
the bill. but the Senate already
has adopted its own idea. This
is the bill advocated by the Dis
trict Commissioners, more dras-
tic than the House plan. for II
would permit seizure of the CON-
pany and operation by the Dis
trict If necessary.
Would Go to Conference
So II the House passes its
measure, it then probably will
regard it as an amendment in
toto. for the Senate bill. This
will send the bill to conference
for q do-or-die last-minute
struggle.
Congressional leaders are or
record as saying they would NOT
leave Washington in the grip
of the strike. House Leader Nc
Cormack has said some legisla-
ton is necessary and yesterday
Minority Leader, Martin prom
ised Congress would do some
thing before closing shop.
A clash of philosophers is in
evitable in conference, which
might include such figures as
Senators MacNamara of Michi-
gan and Morse Of Oregon, Demo-
Gratis, and Case Of New Jersey,
Republican, on one side, and
Representatives Broyhill of
Virginia and Hyde of Maryland,
Republicans. and Mcmillan,
Democrat of South Carolina, on
the other.
The Senate group is committed
to back the Commissioners plan.
This permits a voluntary agree
ment with the company to
operate a year before relinquish-
ing its franchise. But it backs
up the voluntary plan with a
seizure club which could be exer-
cised in an emergency.
The House group, rejecting
sentiment Of the House District
Committee, opposes the principle
Of seizure.
Compulsory Arbitration
What could happen Is a com.
promise based on compulsory ar
bitration. This is disagreeable tt
both management and labor, but
might be considered the best pos.
sible solution in the waning
hours Of Congress. 1t could b.
specified for this emergency
period only. and made clear il
was not precedent-setting.
The House bill envisages q
voluntary one-year agreement
between the Commissioners anr
Capital Transit Co. For this year
the company would operate fol
the Commissioners, who woulo
also dictate policy and could sci
a new higher wage for which the
union might return to work.
It also proposes voluntary re-
linquishment of the Capita
Transit franchise. accepting ir
principle the company's offer VI
last week. but providing more
generous terms for the company
The franchise surrender woulo
be contingent on the approval OF
stockholders within 80 days oil
the start Of the agreement.
In addition to compulsory ar.
bitration, those suggesting com.
promise possibilities mentioned
court receivership. This has beer
advocated by Senator Allott, Re.
publican, of Colorado. Even it!
proponents said such a course
might be hard to justify.