The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-18
Party Of MunitiOn Makers in
Trenches Promise Full Aid
to Lloyd George.
POWER TO LABOR UNIONS
Will Establish Courts to Put
Every Man to Work in Mu-
nitiOns Factories.
Special Cable Despatch to TUE srs.

argument that the men at the front
must have the protection OF high en-
plosive shells was brought home TO
the workmen OF England when n party
of Clyde operatives under an official OF
the Amalgamatcd Engineers, all OF
whom were chosen by their fellow
workmen. returned from tour OF the
British trenches in France and Belgium
The party. came back firm adherents of
the principle that England needs shells
and high explosives.
The men interviewed hundreds OF
soldiers in the trenches. They visited
the hospitals and talked to the wounded,
and everywhere they heard the same
cry of a shortage OF shells and high
explosives
THE Germans fire ten shells to our
one" the soldiers said
The man who led the party is quoted
as declaring that they were all greatly
impressed. They were allowed TO ques-
tion troops anywhere and they heard
the same story OF the lack OF shells.
I'VE came away convinced" said the
leader. that the man at the front is at
the mercy OF the men at home and we
intend that workmen shall know it,"
To Have workers. Court.
Details OF Mr.. Lloyd Georges muni-
tions bill to be introduced in Parliament
on June % show IL to be a most COM
prehensive and drastic measure. all ie
more effective because 1t is TO go in
with the full approval OF the trades
unions.
Briefly stated. the trades unions are
to make their men work anywhere the
authorities desire. and the Government
Is to limit the profits of the operators.
The main features OF the new bill
are those which deal with the local
munitions committees. as outlined in
Mr.. Lloyd Georges Manchester and
Newcastle speeches. These committees
are to be formed in every manufactur-
ing town, one-half operators and one
half trades unionists. with a chairman
who 10. to be chosen by Mr.. Lloyd
George himself. This committee will
constitute labor court empowered TO
fine any workman who refuses to work.
empowered TO discipline any operator
or employee who breaks the agreement.
Strikes and lockouts are to become
illegal the moment the bill becomes n
Law and all disputes that may here
after arise must be arbitrated without
cessation of work. All trades union rules
likely to hamper production in any way
are to be abrogated and all ammunition
factories or factories utilized for the
manufacture OF munitions of any kind
are to be under the absolute control Of
the State.
The profits OF all employers are 10
be limited on a specific scale and any
surplus must go into the national Treas
ury. The operatives. skilled workmen
or otherwise, are to work in any fac
tory that may be designated. the State
paying their travelling expenses.
The bill recognizes the status of the
trades unions to an extent hitherto un-
known. They are to be endowed with
powers more nearly resembling those OF
the ancient guilds than anything else In
modern times. Those guilds dealt sum
marily with workers who failed to up
hold the honor Of the craft and expelled
them in extreme cases. II is the same
now and any man who proves recalc-
trant may be thrown entirely out OF
work.
Plain Speaking to Employers.
iSoyu pcoTse is WIN nav
ing won the whole hearted support OF
all the union leaders and the unions
themselves. Even the Amalgamated En-
gineers, who have held aloof from all
other unions heretofore, have indorsed
the measure and are preparing to aid
the Minister of Munitions in every way.
II Is stated that Mr.. Lloyd Georges
blunt. unvarnished communications on
the necessities OF the situation convinced
the leaders OF the imperativeness Of ex-
ceptional sacrifices and the utmost
energy
The bill is the direct outcome OF the
speeches made by the new Minister inn
mediately after his appointment was
announced. He found the labor cond-
ton of the country most vexatious
and he talked bluntly to both em-
ployers and employees. He told the
former that the State would take their
factories away from them and he told
the latter that II they persisted in their
strikes they might fnd themselves con-
fronted by oonscription for the factory
as well as for the field. Thereaft when
he proposed the courts and the regula
tions there vas general agreement.