The Washington herald., 1915-07-01
NAVY Yard men
THREAIENSTRIKE
Machinists' Executive Says
Walk-out May Come if
s. Wages Are Reduced.
SCORES DANIELS VIEWS
Committee Scheduled to Leave Here
Today to See Wilson-Repnsals
at Polls Is Possible.

II. the Secretary of the Navy would
be as eager to follow laws that favor the
men at the Washington Navy Yard as he
: is to follow those that work hardshps
on them he would be open to less CEN
sure" This assertion was made last
night by n. r. Alifas, president Of the
International Association of Machinists,
In commenting upon the reply Of Secre-
tary Daniels to the protest of the ma
chinists against reduction OF cents
a day in pay.
There are union-shop regulations,
such as the eigh-hour law" said Mr.
Alifas, that should be followed more
strictly at the Washington Navy faro.
The policy of Secretary Daniels In this
case is unwise and shortsighted, potn
industrially and politically"
says Daniels Not Justified.
When asked II the machinists thought
Secretary Daniels was justified in the
position he has taken. Mr.. Alifas said:
He is not. 1t may be true that he Is
without the power to devote all OF the
special appropriation of $4,000 to the
men at the Washington Navy Yard, ana
we do not ask that But Mr.. Daniels has
the power to keep the pay of the navy
yards on a level with that in private
corporations, and in view of the present
demand for skilled labor in private mu-
milton factories, the stand of the Navy
Department is very unwfse.
THE men at the navy yard are work
ed up to a high pitch OF indignation over
the attitude Of the Navy Department.
and IL they lose their fight to prevent
the reduction it would not surprise me
il they strike"
The committee yesterday called on Sec
retary OF Labor Wilson and discussed
the case with him. 1t is understood that
Secretary Wilson can do nothing at pres
ent, but In the event of a strike he might
be called In as a mediator.
Committee May See Wilson.
This morning a committee of machin-
lists. headed by Mr.. Alifas. expect to
leave for Cornish to lay their case be-
fore President Wilson, 1t being taken for
Secretary Daniels yesterday in the form
of letter to Mr.. Alifas ends discussion
with tie Navy Department. With Mr..
Alifas will be s. G. IdeAllister, +. A. Nc
CURE, and ]. A. Berris.
Secretary Daniels admits" said Mr.
Alifas last night. that he has the power
to raise the pay of the men, but says
he could not do SO without taking up the
wage question with the navy yards of
tHe coIutTy- -His Is not So Inc w ar
Department raises the salaries at one
arsenal without touching upon the others,
and the Navy Department can do the
same"
Table of Averages Misleading.
Mr. Alias says that the table of aver
age wage scales of the other navy yards,
which was included in Secretary Daniels
letter yesterday. is misleading.
al the Washington Navy Yard to be
already above that of the other yards, -
said Mr.. Alifas, but Secretary Daniels
does not take into consideration the fact
that the men at the Washington yard are
nearly all skilled laborers. while the other
navy yards employ largely nonskilled
labor. Surely. Mr.. Daniels would not
reckon the salaries of skilled laborers on
those of nonskilled la5orers.'