The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-08
FIGHT LABOR RULING
MachinistS Hope to Extend
Eight-hOur Law.
OPPOSE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Columbia Lodge Claims Regulation
should Apply 10 work On Guns and
Ordnance Made by Private Con-
Germs for the Navy-Deny Pur-
chases Are Made In Open Market.

Columbia Lodge of Machinists has de-
termined TO make a hard fight to have
the eight-hour law apply to all work
on guns and ordnance made by private
concerns for the United States navy
Under recent decision of the Attorney
General. al stuff bought in the open
market is not subject to the eight-hour
law applying to all government work. Il
is claimed by the machinists that guns.
armament, &c. are not bought in the
open market, but Of one OF two concerns,
component parts of the steel trust.
we are encouraged TO believe, said
Emmett L. adams, by reason Of expert
advice. that as guns and ordnance for the
use OF the navy are not and cannot be
purchased In the open market, they logi-
caIly come under the operation Of the
eight-hour Law. At any rate, as long as
any doubt exists i'm our minds we are
having the subject carefully investigated
by eminent authority and the result Of this
investigation will be placed before the
proper government officials at an early
date.
1T has been pointed out by the Attorney
General that ships and even battle ships do
not come under the operation Of the eight
hour law, by reason Of the fact that for
eign nations come 70 this country on occa-
sions and have their ships built In our pri-
vate yards. but. il is considered significant
that these ships are required TO leave our
shores before they are equipped with
guns. and no instance is known OF guns
or naval ordnance being purchased in tile
open market
No Open Market.
al any rate. Columbia Lodge is deter
mined 10 know what is the law relative to
the building of these guns in private
plants, and 20 lend its assistance 10 the
enforcement Of the eight-hour law as ap-
piled 70 this work. II Is true that 1t may
be set forth that this work IS let out on
competitive bids, but there is no competi-
ton. and consequently 10 open market.
At any rate. as long as there is a ques-
ton Of a doubt ia our minds. We are going
10 the bottom OF IT.
This work let out 20 private concerns is
all work taken away from the naval gun
factory in this city This is In large
measure due 20 the sntiquated foundry in
the local navy yard. Lower pay ana
longer hours for machinists 10 private fac
tories make IL difficult for the local shops
to compete with them on an equitable
basis. and il IS said. for this reason. naval
officers directly connected with the opera
ton Of the local yard are giving the move
ment their moral support.
-FrF-
eral campaign 20 be inaugurated by the
machinists throughout the country, par
ticularIy in the Middle West and Penn
sylvania and Ohio, May I. for the eight
hour day and standard wages This cam
paign was planned az the recent semi
annual meeting Of the executive commit
tee Of the International Association Of
Machlnists In the McGli building, in this
city. last month.
Win Another Fight.
A letter was received and read from
p J. Conlon. international first vice-presi-
dent, to the effect that the Driggs-Sea-
bury Ordnance Company. of Sharon. Pa.
has succumbed 20 the inevitable and
granted a uine-hour workday and an in
crease IN wages OF 70 - per cent a day.
The letter was received with enthusiasm.
and was particularly interesting. in view
of the present situation and the fact that
this concern is running I'm direct compe-
tltion with the local naval gun factory.
The committee in charge OF the matter
reported the securing of an increase in
wages for the machinlsts employed at the
Bureau Of Engraving and Printing This
increase was from $50 per Cicm 10 81
per diem and places the maehinists II
the bureau on an equal footing on the
wage scale with the members Of Columbia
Lodge practically ali OF whom are en-
ployed at the naval gun factory. and
who were but recently granted an in
crease 10 this amount after 4 long and
bitter campaign The new scale al the
bureau is to become effective at the be-
ginning Of the next fiscal year, or on
July / next. The negotiations were con-
Quoted by Samuel Elder and Emmett L.
Adams.
Action was also taken looking to the
securing OF the Presidents executive or
der for the Saturday half holiday during
the summer months. Congress failed TO
make provision for the navy yards in
this respect and. as was the case last
year Il was tacitly understood that the
President would make provision for them
In an executive order. An effort will be
made by the machinists to have the ex-
ecutive order include all government en-
ploycs I'm the District of Columbia