Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-15
GRAND INQUEST Jury Investigates
Continued From First Fage II e En+rv Ro~ka+

GRAND INQUEST
Continued From First Fage
profits of the company in the
first year.
The company spokesman re-
peatedly scored several union
demands as "feather-b bedding.
a term used to denote attempts
to have employees paid for time
not worked and requiring addi-
tional employees.
Cites Demands
He cited specifically demands
for increases in the number OF
straight runs over split shifts
and the union demand that OPP
orators be paid travel time from
their relief points to their base
headquarters to turn in their
change fund daily, which now
they keep on their person.
Mr.. Sherbow charged that the
union had played up secrecy of
the negotiations to point
where they were unable to make
concessions for fear of creating
dissension among its members.
He contradicted testimony of
the union yesterday that it was
he who suggested bargaining de-
tails be kept secret. He said
union representatives had pro-
posed this procedure, but added
that he had agreed and still
feels it was the proper policy.
Disputes Ability
Mr.. Sherbow said he had re-
peatedly disagreed with the
unions contention that the COM
pany's ability to pay must be
dlsregarded in negotiations.
He said he told the union that
the money comes from the fare
box and that unless the revenues
are sufficient the company could
not meet union demands for
wage increases and fringe bene-
fits.
The union yesterday intro
duced some so exhibits into the
records of the inquest to support
its demand for a 20-cent wage
increase and other employe ben
ef1ts.
No Power to Act
Like it or not, the House of
Delegates is finding itself sitting
in effect as a board of arbitra-
ton without powers to effect a
settlement.
Bernard Cushman, Washing
ton attorney who is leading the
unions presentation, made it
clear he was presenting the case
as If an arbitration board was
hearing it.
The only difference is that
I am forced to omit the me-
tlculous detail because of the
time limit invoked" Mr.. Cush-
man said.
Mr.. Cushman said National
City Lines has a policy of refus-
ing to submit wage disputes to
arbitration. Such policy, he
charged. has forced postwar
strikes in Los Angeles, Tulsa,
Oakland, Calf: Mobile, Aba:
East st. Louis and more than a
dozen other cities.
Throughout the hearing Mr..
Cushman, who was active in ne
gotiations during Washington's
52-day strike last summer, re-
ferred to the transit situation
there.
Calls etc Pattern"
The Capital Transit Co.. he
said, has been a pattern prop
erty for this (Baltimore) COM
pany."
He also pointed to the Wash
ington wage increase, holiday,
vacation and sick leave benefits
in support of union demands in
Baltimore.
In other arguments the union
commended:
/. The present y-as-you-go
pension plan was uotmoded and
should be supplanted by a fund
ed plan that would be cheaper
for the company in the long run.
2. The company repeatedly has
refused basic data on payroll
pension plan was outmoded and
is necessary for the union to
have to engage in intelligent
collective bargaining"
The union during the day
went through more than 20
issues in the dispute presenting
its arguments in support of its
demands.
The next negotiation session
in the strike is slated for Thurs
day morning after the COM
pany finishes its statement
before the Grand Inquest.