New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
Baker Neutral
In Controversy OF
Garment Workers
Will Make No Effort to
Sift Charges Of Dis
elimination
lSiqf Corrcspondencel

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2O.-Thc War
Department will maintain a neutral at
titude in the New York garment work
ers' dispute. Secretary Of War Baker
ruled to-day.
No cror, will be made b. the War
Department TO bring about settlement
Of the controversy, he added.
War orders will be given oil plants
that meet the minimum standards out
lined by the Board Of Control OF La
Dor Standards dealing with the safety
of employees, sanitation Of plants and
periodical inspection by the board, the
Secretary declared, lr answer 20 the
complaints lodged with the War De
partment by members Of the United
Garment Workers Of America and the
International Ladies Garment Work
ers' Union. who maintain that two
members Of the Board Of Control, per
sonally appointed by the War Secre-
tary. had Disseminated against plants
employing their members in making
uniforms.
Sees Mrs. Kelley
The decision Of Secretary Baker was
made following a lengthy conference he
mad with Mrs. Florence Kelley, of New
Yorl. member Of the Control Board,
against whom the fire Of the union
garment makers has been chiefly di-
rected. The Secretary declined TO dis
cuss the object Of Mrs. kelley's visit,
except 10 explain that he had appointed
her 70 the Board Of Control because OF
her great accomplishment in stamping
out child labor and in improving the
working conditions i'm many Of the
trades whore women are employed.
The second memhsr Of the board
criticized by the union garment work
ers is Louis KRISTEN. OF Boston, who
is alleged 10 have combined with Mrs.
Kelley in oyerruling the decisions Of
CAPTAIN Walter +. kruese OF the Quar-
termaster's Department, who has
steadfastly upheld the contentious OF
the complaining trades.
Previous 70 Mrs. kelley's visit TO
Secretary Bakers office, the board OF
control met with Samuel Gompers,
president Of the American Federation
of Labor. who served notice on the
visitors that he personally would sp-
neal 20 Secretary Baker unless the ap-
parent determination ceased. lie de-
clared. likewise. that the Amalgamated
Association OF Garment Workers must
eventually become aligned with the
uniouized forces ii il hoped 10 share
in the larger benefits that accrue to
organized crafts.
Showdown is Predicted
Mrs. Kelley vigorously defended the
Amalgamated Association at the
Gompers conference, and her subse-
ouent visit TO the War Secretary's Of
flee and his announced determination TO
observe a neutral attitude in the con-
troyersy IS taken TO indicate that a
showdown will develop when President
Gompers lays his view of the matter
before Mr.. Baker.
Specifically referring TO the case Of
Mark Cowan q Co.. which charges that
il has been outlawed through the rec
concentrations Of the majority members
Of the control board, Secretary Baker
asserted that when the new Cowan
plant was completed and its sanitary
conditions were approved. no further
attempt TO withhold army contracts
from the firm would be made. lie said,
likewise. that the War Department had
no desire to withhold contracts from
any firms that met "the minimum re-
quirements sought by the control
Ic,vd -