The sun., 1917-07-03
MEN IN ONLY THREE
SHIPYARDS STRIKE
Two Thousand Out Instead Of
Twelve, but Unions Pre-
dict Increase.
EMPLOYERS ARE DEFIANT
Deny Vessels Will Be Sent to
Navy Yard-Federal
Mediator Here.

|. The strike OF marine workers, set for
yesterday, in which union leaders pre-
dicted walkout OF from 10000 to $4,000
men. failed to materialize on a large
scale. The men at only three Of thirty
Ave plants went on strike, and fewer
than 1000 we're affected
The union leaders asserted conferences
between their representatives and offi-
c,als OF some of the other Arms were in
progress and that other conferences
would take place Immediately after the
Fourth. They insisted that unless there
was a universal response to the union
demand, the walkou; then would be-
come general
The three companies affected and the
number OF men who quit work are: Tiet-
jcn & Lang Dry Dock Company Of Hobo
ken, 500 W. & A Fletcher Co, Hoboken.
500, and James shewan & Sons, Brook
lyn, 500 In each case the machinists,
boilermakers. pattern makers and black
smiths struck. The Tietjen & Lang en-
ployees failed to report for work yester-
day morning and the workmen in the
two other plants quit at noon.
Some excitement was caused In the
afternoon by a report that the Tietjen q
Lang Co. expected to send some OF their
unfinished ships for the United states
Government to the navy yard In Brook-
lyn to be completed. f. j. Deering, busi-
ness agent of the International Associa-
ton Of Machinists, Immediately wired to
William II. Johnston, president OF the
International. in Washington. and then
gave out a statement in which he said
such action would mean a strike in the
navy yard. Government work or no
Government work"
At the Office of William II. Todd, presi-
dent of the Todd Shipyards Corporation,
| which includes the Tietjen Lang Co.,
II was said the firm has no intention OF
sending ships to the Brooklyn yards. IL
was said two ships building In the Tiet-
jen yards were sent to Brooklyn last
week because the former had no dry
docks large enough to accommodate
them, but that none would be trans
ferred as a result Of the strike.
1t was declared by the employers that
the only issue involved is the demand
for recognition of the unions and that
they were determined to treat with no
one representing these organizations.
Henry c. Hunter. attorney for the Ma
tional Metal Trades Association, said the
companies were prepared to fight to the
end Not more than twelve plants were
in danger OF being affected. he asserted.
Henry Fletcher Of W. 4 A. Fletcher
Company said: Recognition OF the
union is the only question involved. We
refuse to treat with the business agents
of the unions. The wages OF our men
have been raised three times the last
year. Our men are receiving higher pay
now than the workmen in the navy
yard Day
]. J. McEntee. one OF the business
agents OF the International Association
OF Machinists, insisted the strike was
called because of the refusal OF the vari-
Gus Arms to grant more pay. The aver
age increase sought is so cents a day
Samuel Gompers. president OF the
American Federation Of Labor, said last
night:
"In view OF the high cost of living the
wages OF the shipyard workers are
nothing short OF frightful. Everything
possible will be done TO bring about an
honorable adjustment OF the difficulty" /"
Roland b. Mahoney. a mediator OF the
Federal Department OF Labor. arrived
from Washington yesterday TO attempt
TO effect a settlement.