Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-22
Special Commission to Ham
per Work at Plants In U. s.
Said to Be Here.
YELLED HINTS DROPPED
BY GOMPERS ON SUBJECT
Information Of Activity Of Kaisers
Agents Conveyed to British En-
bassy in February.
Persons in Washington familiar

Persons in Washington familiar
with the business being carried
on throughout the United States
of supplying arms, ammunition
and munitions to the allies are ex-
pecting a spread of the strikes al
ready reported at a number of
plants in this country, and in con-
nection with that expectation the
statement today was made that a
special commission of the German
government, composed of con-
fdential agents whose names are
known in Washington, is alleged
to have arrived in this country
last February, to hamper the
arms, ammunition and munition
enterprises of the allies.
Certain hints have been dropped during
the past few days by Samuel Gompers,
of Labor, in connection with the
strike in that Connecticut city may
have been due to the activity of those
to whose interest 1t is to hamper mu-
milton plants in this country from car
rying out contracts with the allies.
Information as to the activity OF
these agents and their arrival here last
February is said to have been conveyed
at that time to the British embassy
here, when 1t Is said to have been
scoffed at, with the statement that
capable Information service and that
this service had not reported any such
arrivals or activity. On the other hand,
it is understood today that the British
embassy is now making every eHort
to run down the information that was
then offered.
May Make Public Information.
Mr.. Gompers is believed to be in pos
session of this Information. but when
asked whether he has any reports as
to a possible spread of the strikes he
said that he had nothing to say. Mr..
Gompers has said that he may find 1t
necessary to make public eventually
certain Information in his possession.
Some reports have been to the eff
feet that attempts have been made to
bride Mr.. Gompers personally.
Mr.. Gompers. with representatives of
various labor unions who met here
yesterday in an effort to adjust the
Bridgeport situation. will go to Bridge
port tonight. for a conference tomor-
row, despite developments which may
bring the strike OF machinists en-
ployed by the Remington Arms Com
pany at Bridgeport to an end.
1t was stated today that jurisdic-
tional dispute for the control OF or
ganized millwrights between the In
ternational Association of Machinists,
the United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and the Bridge and Structural Iron
Workers is a matter of prime impor-
lance to organized labor which needs
adjustment, and that the Bridgeport
conference will be held regardless Of
other developments in the situation.
The present is regarded as a psy-
New England states. where an eight
hour day has long been wanted. and
where some of the trades In arms. am
munition and munition factories have
not been organized.
Frank Morrison. secretary OF the
American Federation of Labor. said TO.
day that although officials here will
continue to keep in close touch with
move will be made in Washington to
adjust the strike differences there
nendine tomorrow's conference. 1t is
realized here that II the New England
men are given an eight-hour day much
of their grievance will be overcome.
Other Labor Troubles Watched.
Labor officials here. however. have
their eye on other strike situations
throughout the country. In addition to
the Bridgeport strike. there is strike
among Standard Oil employees at Bay
onne, N. J., and other labor troubles
are now reported at the E. w. Bliss
torpedo plant at Brooklyn, N. Y, the
Westinghouse firearms plants at
Springfield, Mass; Boston. Worcester,
Hartford, Chicopee. New Haven and
Providence, as well as among non
union longshoremen on the piers Of the
Clyde and Mallory lines running to
southern United States ports.
In response to a long-distance tele-
phone request from Sheriff Kinkead of
Bayonne, N. J., the Department OF La
Dor today sent two of its labor COM
rnissioners to that city in an attempt
to conciliate and adjust the differences
between the Standard Oil Company and
its employees. The commissioners are
James A. Smyth and John A. Moffett
They left Washington today shortly
Sir Cecil spring-Rice. the British am
bassador, had a conference yesterday
with Secretary Lansing at the State
Department, following which Mr..
Lansing declared that the British en-
to the state Department regarding
strikes in United States plants produc
ing war munitions for the allies.