The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-07
Move Directed Especially at
Steel and Copper Interests.
Govt VIII Fix Purchase Price
fOr-U. s. and Allies.
TOO MUCH LABOR UNREST
WOrkmen Tie Up Shipyards De-
handing Share of Profits.
Board Named To Adjust Sched-
ules and Stop Strikes.

Washington, Aug. THE labor
situation in the United States is caus-
Ing the government alarm. War work
Is threatened to such a point that a
concerted campaign started today to
dispel unrest among the workers
War, navy and labor departments
have named a committee to study ad-
1ustment of wage schedules in navy
yards. arsenals and other government
works to bring about satisfactory
schedules
This committee, including Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt, Wal
ter Lippman and William Blackman.
are to report their findings to the gov
eminent August "a. Employees will
then have an opportunity to submit
appeals from the recommen dation of
the committee. By September 1 1t is
hoped all difficulty will have been
settled.
Argue High Cost of Living.
The high cost of living and a deter
mination to share in war profits are
responsible for the labor unrest, Off
cials state.
Some of the principal labor diff
culties in the country today are:
Twelve thousand metal trade union.
lists striking for higher wages in over
thirty shipyards around New York.
Mine strikes or lockout in Montana,
Arizona, New Mexico, Pennsylvania
and Kentucky.
Troubles in lumber districts in
Washington state.
Photographers demands on Rock Is
land railroad; Kansas City, Mexico K
Orient railroad, New Haven system.
and telegraphers' strike on the M. X
& T.
Threatened strike of $500 men on
Southern Pacific: mediation plan
Number of strikes in textile mills in
the south and east.
Despite the war demands for ut
most cooperation between labor and
capital, strikes and threatened walk
outs have been out of all proportion.
Iron Hand on Profits.
The government is about to lay a
strong hand ION war prcfileering."
Prices on steel anC Cope are to be
fixed to insure "a reasonable profit"
to producers and a fair bargain" for
this government and her allies, it is
officially announced.
President Wilson has informed the
new war Industries board" that the
allies are to buy war materials in this
country on the same terms as the
United States. Blood profits" are not
to he tolerated.
The federal trade commission an
nounced today its report on copper
prices will be before the president in
two weeks
End War in December 1918.
The cut N steel prices will be from
500 a ton or more, now paid by the
allies to approximately $50 a ton. All
purchases will soon be in the hands
of B. M. Baruch. as official represen-
tative of all allies. He is now viseing
all contracts made in this country to
insure against blood profits"
American efficiency versus German
erflC1enCV, with strict cOnSoTVa ton of
allied money resources as well as food
and other supplies. will bring an end
to the great war by December 1918.
military men today predicted
The American embargo will be fur
ther extended The time win come.
late this fall, when Germany will sec
the handwriting on the WALL mill
tary men said today A final peace
effort will be launched then by the
Teutons-and the great crash viii
come a year later. when Americas
full strength has been hurled into the
balance, they say.