Evening star., 1917-09-17
Approximately 25,mO Iron
workers and Metal Trades
Mechanics Walk Out.
DEMAND FOR INCREASE
OF so PER CENT DENIED
Proposals to Arbitrate on Basis of
10 Per Cent More Refused by
Men-Oficials Here Hopeful.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO, Septem-
Der 17.-Sporadic street rioting
closely followed the walkout
today of ironworkers and ship
builders, sympathizers of one
group attacking a United Rail-
roads street car and beating
two substitutes replacing strik-
ing platform men, according to
police reports.
Patrolmen dispersed the
rioters.
SAN FRANCISCO. September 17.-Ap-
proximately $4,000 iron workers and
metal trades mechanics in war emer-
gency construction in San Francisco
and bay cities went on strike at 9
o'clock today, following rejection of
their demands for a so per cent increase
in wages. The walkout in more than
100 plants was carried out without a
hitch. X was reported.
Feverish eleventh hour efforts by en-
ployers and representatives of the
United States shipping board to avert
the strike failed. Proposals to arbi-
trate on a basis Of 10 per cent increase
offered had been rejected by the con-
ference committee of the Iron trades
council. composed Of twenty-five unions.
on whose authority the strike was de-
clared.
Some Close Immediately.
The walkout affects more than $780,
000. 900 in government shipbuilding and
engine construction contracts and auto
maticaIly tie up other construction
works. The Union Iron Works, the
Moore-Scott Iron Works, both ship
building plants. and the Pacific foundry
were to close Immediately.
Settlement of the strike, declared to
be San Franeisco's largest industrial
trouble. Is entirely in the hands OF the
federal government, employers an
nounced.
Further conferences between the Cali
fornia Metal Trades Association, the
organization of employers and the Iron
Trades Council were to be held later
today.
In addition to the walkout of the iron
and metal trades, shipyard laborers and
carpenters have voted to strike.
No violence has been reported, but it
was said troops would be called to
guard the ship-building plants as pre-
cautfonary measure
largest of the concerns affected, in a
statement asserted the walkout was not
for higher wages, but in support of the
strike of platform men of the United rail-
hfghar
and recognition Of their unipn. This strike
entered its sixth week today.
Other Plants Affected.
Among other large plants affected are
the Union. Atlas and Standard Gas En-
gfne companies. the Hall-Scott Engine
Company. the Byron-Jackson and the OIL
yer Manufacturing companies and the
Bart Gas Traction Company.
Employees announced that II the strike
10 of long duration probably 10000
persons. including organized workmen
Of relative trades and their families,
will be involved.
r. 8. Scott Of the Moore-Scott Com
pany said that under the contracts with
the government the employers were
prohibited from granting any wage In
creases without federal sanction
No attempt will be made to operate
substitutes. according to announcement
of employers.
Confident of Settlement.
Shipping board officials are confident
that a basis will be reached this week
for settlement of all labor disputes in
Pacific coast shipyards
On receipt of reports of the strike
of ironworkers at San Francisco today
the board made efforts to hasten a
settlement of the strike in Seattle ship
yards in the belief that it will serve
as a basis for agreements at Portland,
San Francisco, Los Angeles and other