Arizona republican., 1917-12-27
LABOR. TROUBLES BLAMED FUR HALT
 IN SH|PbU|LD|NC
TRepublican A. p. Leased Wire1

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.- Labor delay in the governments shipbuildins by Raymond B. Stevens, vice chair man of the shipping board, testi- flying today in the senate commerce committees investigation.
 Since the United States went to war MT. Stevens said shipyards have lost q total of 536,992 working days by strikes and other disputes. This, he figured, represents the work of 10000 men for a month. Happily, said MT. Stevens, the situation is improving by reason of measures taken by the board to adjust differences wherever they arise.
 Senators took lively interest in the story of the labor situation and the in quiry turned to the whole subject of labor and it's position during the war. Questions as to the wisdom of con- scription of labor for shipyards and other government work drew from MT. Stevens emphatic opposition to any attempt to force civilians to work un- der prescribed conditions and govern ment fixed wages.
 Telling of the boards work in estab- k. Mllll lIlt dlu Ol liit ldDOl uC- pertinent, employment agencies on the Pacific coast, MT. Stevens said that with their institution also in the east the board hoped to obtain from other industries as many men as it needs. He added that an appropriation would be needed to provide housing facilities al isolated plants.
 "The number of men should actually Ha ha he are to accomplish our full aims Roughly there now are about 150,00G men engaged in shipbuilding. We could use from 100000 to 100000 more. We are obtaining new men gradually now and hope to obtain them much faster later on. Recently 106 yards reported they could use immediately 10000 more men"
 MT. Stevens described a bonus sys- tenn instituted in Pacific coast yards and said if it proved successful, an ex. tension to the east was planned.
 'Is that not an excess profit you art paying?" asked Senator Nelson.
 We do not consider it as such," re- piled Mir. Stevens, but if it will speed up the production of ships we think i is wise to pay it. What we are con. cerned with now is the production O. ships and if the bonus will help accom- plish that, it is worth while despite tn, cost"
 Senator Sherman asked if it was fai or just to cOnscript men for the arm, and permit workers to strike for high 1 CT wages. Mir. Stevens said he did no ! believe conscription of labor could b, enforced as the sentiment was tot strong against it. Senator Nelson ar gued that sentiment had been agains the conscription of men for the arm, but it had been put into force. | And" he added, T think it wa wise now, although I voted against i at the time. Sentiment may change re | specting labor conscription, too"
 Asked if quibbling over prices ha delayed ship construction. MT. Steven said he thought it had to some extent He told of the delay in closing con , tracts for fabricated ships while Ad miral Capps, formerly general manage of the emergency fleet corporation was reducing figures approved by hi predecessor, Major General Goethals.
 The delay, it was brought out, save the government s15,0OO,O0O in the con tracts.
 MT. Stevens took occasion to de nounce published charge that he ha let contracts to a friend in New Hamp shire at a high price. He filed wit the committee letter from Genera Goethals who upon seeing the charg