Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-11-10
A SERIOUS PRO LEM IN TIE SPEEDING OF ThE
NATIONS WORK
The Question of the Open Shop in War Time-Th
Attitude Toward Labor.

tIvea ~ their unions know the facts in
the case and realize the terrible cons,
uucncca that "a continuation OF this strike
will occasion. that no further delay VIII
be encountered.
Many OF the union men had ALREADY
returned 20 work, and on tho day fol
lowing this statement the strike com
plelely collapsed and was called on.
Likewise In the recent water front
strike which threatened a general tie
up of the port OF New York, the men
waived their demand for a closed shop
when requested TO do so by the Gov
eminent representative who took the
matter up for adjustment. In every
case that has come TO my attention
| where the union men themselves were
! made 10 understand that the Govern
/ ment was not requesting or demanding
a closed shop, but rather that strikes
for that purpose were not In line Will
the patriotic duty expected OF them,
The closed shop demand has been
abandoned.
of our thirty million wage Farmers
less than three million, according 20
union figures are organized. inc
building trades are possibly - PEI
| cont. organized The Herman report
! made 10 the Secretary or War corrop
CRATES these figures and shows that
yD per cent. Of the industrial establish
menfs of the country available for war
work are open shop. To limit con
struotlon and other war work TO closed
shop wOrkmen obviously renders non
available 20 per cent. Of the building
trades workmen Of the country anu
over 90 per cent. OF other classes OF
workmen who have not seen ilt TO pc
come members Of labor organizations
as "a matter OF choice or principle.
The published agreements between
the Secretaries OF War and the Navy
and Organized labor stipulate that union
wages and hours and other conditions
! shall be observed on Government WORK
| In The various localities, but II is eN-
pressly conceded by Mr. Gompers that
! Inc closed shop is not one OF the con
/ dltlons 10 be demanded or observed.
The Council OF National Defense, Will
] Mr.. Gompers' concurrence IN behalf OF
/ organized labor has announced II as
prlnciple on war work that the present.
abnormal conditions should not be
taken advantage OF by either the en-
ulover or the union 20 secure changes
In conditions which could not have
been secured In normal times. The man
ufacturcrs and contractors Of the coun
try ask only that this principle and
these agreements be observed. Without
recourse TO stronger terms, increasing
strikes for a closed shop against man
ufacturers and contractors engaged II
war work who have always operate
open shops constitute a violation an
population OF these agreements an
: principles.
In conclusion may respectfully SUI
: gest that a clear and definite ohici
, statement OF labor policy on the pa
! OF the Government would so far to r
r duce labor troubles TO a minimum
= would remove the misconception on q
G part OF the union man as 20 the attitul
10 OF the Government and point clear
for him the path OF patriotic duty.
It would remove the incentive for u
X reckless calling OF strikes for the clos
Of shop in the mere hope that Governme
le interference IN assistance Of such strk
MS would be forthcoming. u would che
or and dlscredit the unauthorized and mn
on leading statements Of agiiators ana
X certain minor Government agents W.
W come in contact with war work ~,
ie- hut not least, such statement OF I'm %.
Oh would settle the doubts and laval
ne, resolution Of a vast maJoli's out OF
sh- workmen who have renisi lso,ce. and
Der labor organizations from .,Sovnent on
Who hesitate to seeA e1 Y remains
not var work so Ions ." yer questions
,n- storm ,o Ssp control n q be aeIr ,o ante
5sT dersiqod observed sr so far as the closed
an, shall pc sbop is concerned, lna' rs i,
*. and orc" work shall not be made 'ne
be mat WI ss,ber 10 open closed shop or
or lever os lar In open shop the iield OF pos
rs % ci0 amor controversy win at once be
q slpi n,,v reduced. Such a statement or
% ,Iicy ,' would make clear 70 everyone
Z irn os.e in war work, employer or em-
e Move exactly where ne stands. and
I would be the most effective possible
I way Of making available for such work
: the full labor supply OF the country.
, both union aud non-uniOn.
WALTER DREW.
, Counsel 90 the National Erectors' Asso
ciation-Adv.
IL faeturers' Association OF Wilmington