Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-09
union LABOR HALTS
GOVERNMENT WORK
Thousands of Carpenters on Con-
tracts In and Around
New York Quit.
STRIKE ORDER TO BE ISSUED
Ultimatum Issued in Conference
Between Leaders and Repre-
sentatives of Administration.

NEW YORK. August s.-The govern
ment is confronted with general
strike OF carpenter and p consequent
stoppage of all work in shipyards and
on cantonments
Thousands Of carpenters stopped
work to-day on government contracts
in and around New York Construc-
ton work ceased at the Brooklyn
Navy Yard. where 1000 men. including
700 carpenters. refused to work Work
at the Mineola aviation field and the
Pelham Bay Park marine cantonment
also stopped when the carpenters quit.
A delegate of the Carpenters Broth
erhood will issue a strike order to-
morrow to LOO carpenters who have
been working against time to complete
the national army cantonmcnt at Yap-
hank.
An ultimatum was issued to-day in
conference between leaders and rep
resentatives Of the administration. This
was. in effect. that the government
must cancel all contracts with the So
called mushroom contractors. or a gem
eral strike will be called.
CONFERENCE HELD IN
DANIELS'S OFFICE
The conference was held in the office
of Secretary of the Navy Daniels
Present were: Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent of the American Federation Of
Labor: Secretary Daniels: William l..
IN ffha
Eastern States on the brotherhood ex-
ecutive board: president of the Broth
erhood OF Carpenters; Admiral Harris
and representative Of Secretary Of
Labor Wilson.
AT the conclusion of the conference
Admiral Harris. Mr.. Guerin and rep
resenta'ive OF the Department of Labor
started for New York. They arrived
tonight.
a conference will be held tomorrow
at the Hotel Vanderbilt in an effort
to adjust one of the grievances of the
New York carpenters. This concerns
the employment OF nonunion labor by
Henry Steers. Inc. contracting engi-
neers. This concern has been building
the marine cantonment at Pelham Bay
Park. designed to shelter 10000 SOL
Steers concern
had trouble with the unions last sum-
mer because OF the employment here Of
nonunion labor on piers No. S, and l.
1t was explained tonight that the by
laws OF the Brotherhood of Carpenters
prohibit members working for a con-
Germ that employs nonunion labor. In
some instances contracts of the Steers
concern are said to be handled in a
manner satisfactory to the union In
others. notably the marine cantonment
At Pelham Bay rark, some nonunion
labor has been employed.
MUSHROOM CONTRACTORS
ONE CAUSE OF STRIFE
"A representative of the brotherhoods
said tonight:
III Henry Steers unionizes. or IL the
government cancels his contracts, the
union will be satisfied.
Another c.: Use of strife Is the nush-
room contractors. They have sprung
up overnight by the score, and grabbed
fat 10 per cent contracts from the gov
eminent. Old established contractors
have been ignored. This is bad for
businese stability. The organized con-
Germs have large staffs and are we'll
equipped to work. II they fail peace
will find the nstructing business all
in mad tumble"
There are $4,000 members of the
brotherhood of Carpenters in the
United States. 1t was said tonight
that. besides the $4,000 employed on
government contracts, all OF these
would be asked to strike unless the
government comedies the demands Of
union labor, agreeing to cancel con-
tracts with objectionable conrnrps