Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-31
Transit Accord
Sought Today
WuIkout to Sturt
If Talks Fail
Continued From First Page

Continued From First Rage
of the local union, has said his
organization would consider a
itwo-year contract instead of the
one-year pact it originally de-
manded. He and his executive
board, however, were reported
willing to take even the three
year term Mr.. Chalk wants if the
wage increase were high enough
No More Concessions
Yesterday, however, after re-
porting his version of the stu
alton to the District Commits
sioners. Mr.. Chalk declared he
had made his last major con-
cession to union demands. And,
he insisted, department heads of
the system he acquired when he
bought out Capital Transit Co.
last August Is, have told him he
already has offered a larger
economic package" than he can
afford. He has estimated his
proposals would increase COM
Ipany expenses by SIPS million a
year, and would cost $2.6 million
over the life of a three-year
contract.
His visit to the Commissioners
came during the supper recess
in 1914 hours of negotiations. As
the evening session began, Com
missionerS Robert E. McLaugh-
| lin and David B. Karrick con-
ferred at the Labor Department
with union leaders and the
three-man panel of Federal me-
diators, r. w. Donnahoo, Phila-
delphia regional director of the
Federal Mediation and Concilia-
ton Service; Gilbert r. Lee, Bal
timore mediator. and James A.
Holden, Washington mediator.
Public Interest Stressed
Afterward the Commissioners
issued the following statement:
THE Commissioners, speaking
in behalf of the citizenry Of
Washington and its suburbs, de-
plore the failure of the transit
system and the union to reach q
labor agreement guaranteeing
continuity of transportation
service beyond midnight Octo-
Der 81.
Without intruding on the
proper prerogatives of the COM
pany or the union the Commits
sioners call upon both parties
to continue to bear in mind the
interest of the public, OF the
Federal and District Govern
ments, Of local business and the
wishes of Congress for uninter-
rupted transit service for the
Nations Capital. After having
talked with both parties it is
our opinion that the continue
ton Of discussions should pro-
vide a solution fair to both
parties and to the public in
terest."
Earlier Chairman Nicely of the
Senate District Committee, a
staunch labor supporter. backed
up union demand for arbitra-
ton Of unresolved differences
in the present negotiations with
a telegram to both parties ASK
ing for such arbitration TO
avoid a repetition Of last years
52-day walkout.
Union spokesman said Mr..
Chalk had orally rejected their
demand, but Mr.. Chalk refused
to confirm or deny this. He said
the question Of arbitrating the
present contract was still a mat
ter Of negotiation and declared
"the union has no right TO dis
cuss 1t publicly" while that is the
case.
Accepted Demand
Earlier. he had agreed COM
pletely to accept the unions de-
mand for a provision requiring
arbitration Of unresolved differ
ences in negotiation Of all future
contracts. At that time. he
dropped his insistence that work.
ing conditions be excluded from
arbitration, that arbitration b.
limited to issues involving less
than 100000 and that arbitra.
tors be bound by his claim to {
l6l2 per cent profit.
He stipulated only that "arbi.
TRAITORS shall take notice Of and
give due weight" to the terms
Of his 20-year. partly tax exempt
franchise which says he "shal
be afforded an opportunity K
earn" q Ga per cent profit.
Last night, before the media
ton session broke UP at 2:3C
am. he dropped all references
TO the 6iz per cent profit.