Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-21
NAVY YARD STRIKE
H|NTED BY UN|ON|ST
N. P. Alias, Machinists' Presi-
dent Here, Intimates Pos
sibIe WaIkout.
CALLS AT White HOUSE
TO TRACE WAGE PROTEST
Objects to Notation on Record
Cards of Men Quitting as Be-
ing Blacklist"

There were intimations today that
machinists and other employees of the
Washington navy yard may be called
out on strike if President Wilson fails
to direct Secretary Daniels to restore
the wages that existed in that institu-
ton prior to July !.
These intimations were given out by
\. p. Alifas, president of the local
branch of the International Associat tion
of Machinists. who went to the White
House today. accompanied by Albert J.
Berres. observation-disclosures of the metal
trades department: Stuart McAlister.
president of Columbia Lodge, No. ia,
of the International Association of Ma
chinists. and J. F. Mcclure.
The visitors asked Secretary Tumul-
fy what disposition had been made OF
the petition left at the White House
concerning the decrease in wages at
the navy yard. Mr.. Tumulty told them
that the petition was upon the desk of
the PRESIDENT, who would dispose of it
as soon as international affairs would
permit him to take it up and consult
with Secretary Daniels about it. Mr.
Tumulty did not know how soon the
President would reach the petition. but
would direct the Presidents attention
to the matter at the earliest possible
moment.
Strike Is Intimated.
No suggestions of possible strike
were made to Mr.. Tumulty, but after
leaving the latter's offices Mr.. Alifas
talked freely about the feeling over the
action of Mr.. Daniels in reducing wages
at the Washington yard SO that the
money might be apportioned for an in
crease among the men at the naya
proving grounds at Indian. Head.
we do not want it to appear that
we are holding the prospect of strike
over the heads of the government,
said Mr.. Alias, but the men are feel
ing mighty sore, and do not like theil
treatment. Our constitution provides
that reduction in wages can be made
the cause of walk-out at any time.
One thing that has caused ill feel
ing is the action of navy yard officials
in writing in red ink over the dis
charge cards of all men who leave to
accept work with private concerns the
following: Quit work at time when
the government needed his services.
The government never hesitates to
drop a man from employment when it
does not need his services, and has
discharged many thousands of them
whenever it desired, without the
what happened to the men. Now, if
the men find higher wages or more
satisfactory employment elsewhere
they are practically blacklisted and de-
prived of the opportunity of employ
ment by the government in the future.
I'VE do not yet know whether Secre-
tary Daniels has also approved this
marking of the discharge papers of
the men.
Il am not willing to say that this
controversy will lead to a strike, but l
do say that it is a mighty bad policy for
Secretary Daniels to reduce the wages
Of f,f
possible trouble with foreign nation
and practically force them to look for
better wages elsewhere. If they do go
off for better wages they are practi-
cally blackliSted by the government"
Seek Blacklist" Author.
Mr.. Alias said this afternoon that
before the officials of his union make
protest to the White House or Navy De-
partment about what machinists term
the government blacklist an in
vestigation will be made to ascertain
who is responsible for the use of the
phrase quit work at a time when the
government needed his services.
MIR. Alifas said that he did not know
whose orders had been responsible for
the use of this statement on the dis
charge papers of men who go out to
work for private concerns, ana until he
did find out he did not wish to carry
the matter to the White House
Mr.. Alias added the statement that
this attempt of some one in the gov
ernment service to prevent men who
quit from ever returning to the gov
ernhent service had incensed union
men in the navy yard more than any
other thing.
at is species of slavery he said
Again referring to the talk of a
strike. Mr. Alias said that he was
not authorized to speak formally on
the matter.
There are other ways of settling
these matters besides a strike" said
Mr. Alifas, "and the matter will be
considered in due time"