The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-08-28
LOOklNG INTO UNIONS
President Proposes to Know Their Re
lations to Government Work.

lations to Government Work.
Washington, Aug. 24.-Secretary
Root, Acting Secretary Of the Navy
Darling and Secretary Cortelyou Of the
department Of and labor,
confirmed today the story that an in
uuiry In regard to the influence of labor
unions on government work a been
ordered by the president and Is now in
progress.
1t was learned at the war department
that the first inquiry received there
came from the department of
and labor and vas based upon instruc-
lions from President Roosevelt. Secre-
tary Cortelyou declined to discusss the
| subject, but acknowledged that reports
from all the different branches Of the
government on thetrelations of the la
Dor unions to government work has
been called for. From other official
sources it a learned that the purpose
of the investigation is to determine
whether labor unions are attempting to
exercise any control ever government
! employees.
The report sent to the department Of
commerce by the secretary Of war and
the acting secretary Of the navy show
several instances in which labor or
CARNATIONS attempted to dictate to the
authorities. The report from the war
department disclosed the fact tina at
Vi AdOOI ulliOllJ
had interfered With the policy of the
officers in charge.
Union Secretary Protested.
At the WATERFOWL arsenal the sec.
rotary of a labor organization pro-
tested against the purchase of material
by contract from contractors who, it
was charged. worked their men more
thai eight hours a day. At another
| arsenal there was trouble because the
union sought to influence the services
Of Workmen Oh piece work.
AT the Brooklyn navy yard q labor
union urged that only one class of en-
ployes should put into naval vessels
the small gas pipes through which
electric wires are carried. AS ex-
planned at the navy department TO-DAY,
1t was a question whether workmen
belonging to the gasftters' union or
the electrical union should do the work,
h question was settled, however,
without any difficulty because the OIL
Gals Of the navy department deter
matter and would not be dictated to
by the union
Roasted" N~on-Unicn Men,
An interesting feature of the efforts
of the b unions to cause trouble
for n~on-union men working in shops
! with union men is disclosed in Secre-
tary Darlng's report. 1t is shown that
WINE Iic uAit1ES LOOK no direct part in
these efforts as labor organizations. the
union men sought to prejudice the off,
Gals against men by charg-
Ing that they were not capable me-
chanics
The result of the inquiry made nv
the war department indicated thai
there had been less interference with
the workanen in the ordnance factories,
arlmorles n arsenais than in any navy
department.
It was said at the war department
today that II reason why the gov
eminent had experienced little trouble
with labor unions at the. arseaals was
that there is in existence an old stat
ute making it a punishable offense to
entice Workmen from any arsenal or
arnory.
Adjutant General corbin was called
upon by Secretary Root to make an
inquiry into labor conditions at he ma
uonai soldiers home, but the reply re-
celYed from the governors showed thai
bu little labor was employed and h a
OF n workmen about the home only
ton. Ass