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

Continued From First Page
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 it's suburbs, de-
plore the failure of the transit
system and the union to reach a
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
Istaunch labor supporter, backed
up union demand for arbitra-
ton Of unresolved differences
in the present negotiations with
IA 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 it publicly" while that is the
case
Accepted Demand
Earlier, he had agreed COM
Ipletely 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 be
limited to issues involving less
than 100000 and that arbitra-
tors be bound by his claim to a
ga per cent profit.
He stipulated only that "arbi-
traitors shall take notice Of and
give due weight" to the terms
lof his 20-year. partly tax exempt
franchise which says he shall
be afforded an opportunity To
earn a 6l2 per cent profit.
Last night, before the media
ton session broke up at $3.50
am, he dropped all reference
to the Ga per cent profit.
The only remaining differ.
ences on arbitration of future
contracts we're reported to be
over the unions plan for 9
three-man arbitration board as
compared to Mr.. Chalk's plan
for a I'VE man board.
Although Mr.. Chalk has agreed
to unlimited arbitration Of future
contracts. he has consistently op-
posed arbitration Of the present
contract.
Urges 3-Year Leeway
Explaining this last night, he
said:
I Il am just starting a new en-.
terprise, and ! feel ! should have
a minimum Of three years tc
make large scale plans and
heavy capital investments Il
overhaul a sadly dilapidatec
system.
Il can't take q chance thai
this time an arbitration boarc
might give q one-year contract