Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-18
TO AMEND MUNITIONS ACT
England Proposes Plan to 0bviate
All Serious and Future Labor
Troubles.
SETTLEMENT OF DIFFICULTIES

: (Correepondence OF the Associated Press)
LONDON, Dec. ia bin TO amend the
munitions act has been drafted TO meet
comrlaints that provisions OF the original
oct are unjust. Serious labor troubles
are threatened unless reforms are brought
about, the sense Of grievance among
munition workers in Scotland, particu-
larry, having become almost as bitter as
Il can be without revolt
Under the original act, II is necessary
for men who leave the government-con-
trolled factories TO get certificates from
their employers before they can obtain
work elsewhere. Many employers have
refused to grant such certificates to men
they have dismissed. A proposed amend
ment makes Il obligatory for the EN-
ployer to furnish certificates even to dis
charged men and II also forb.ds him to
endorse on the paper the offenses that
caused the discharge. II Is expected this
change win do much to conciiate the
complaining workers.
second amendment extends the APP
plication OF the act IL states that NUM-
ton work. for the purposes OF the act,
shall include not only ali direct work on
munitions. but all subsidiary work such
ne building and repair work on MUM
tions factories. the supply Of light and
power for the manufacture of munitions
and the manufacture OF machinery and
raw material for munitions Thus prac-
tically all war work for the government
and all the working people employed In
Il come under government control. which
means the employees lose the right ia
strike and even. the right 10 leave a jot
voluntarily.
Asks Another Change.
The labor party has asked for still an.
other change. All offenses against tins
act arc tried before a tribunal. al present
composed OF a chairman appointed b,
the minister of munitions and two othei
members representing employers and EN-
ployes, respectively. the decision beinl
left TO the chairman. The labor leaders
ask that employers and workers be giver
two representatives each. and the de
cision so 10 the majority OF the five
voice. the accused reserving the right Ia
appeal 10 the courts They also ask thai
when a workman Ia tried for neglect OF
duty and acquitted that he be paid fol
the timo spent In court.
Standardization OF wages and working
conditions Is also asked as the proper
coroiiary OF the measure depriving this
workman OF the right TO strike or leave
hts sob. This will be considered wher
the bill Is brought NJ in Parliament.
There Is also discussion OF the PROPOSE
tion OF giving women representation on
the tribunal on account OF the large
number OF women workers employed IN
munitions factories.
Question of Ray Difficult.
Lloyd George. the minister Of munitions.
has recently clrcularized letter to the
effect that the best possible use is not
being made OF either machinery OF labor
in government-controlled establishments.
lie finds that there IL too large a pro-
portion OF skilled men employed in pro-
portion 10 the semi-skilled or unskilled.
while in some districts night shifts are
not properly organized.
Employers are requested to furnish de-
tailed Information as TO the assignment
Of their skilled labor and to take stops
20 replace skilled men with unskilled
men or women wherever possible 80 as &c
use the skilled workers as foTemen for IN
creased work.
In a subsequent letter Lloyd George
says he intends to form a new set OF rules
governing tho employment and wages
OF women. The question OF pay Of women
and unskilled men has been difficult TO
solve on account OF the Jealous regard OF
the labor unions for their old rights and
privileges. 90 the government has TO
guard against the war-workers appearing
IN the light OF strikebreakers in tho
unions eyes and against jeopardizing the
future positions OF union men after the
war.