New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-19
The Shipyards Strikes


strikes would threaten the collapse OF the
governments shipbuilding programme.
That programme is already BEHIND
schedule all along the line. If labor and
CAPITAL in the shipbuiding industry were
Low to lock horns in the old-tashloned
way the expectation Of outbuilding and
outIasting the German submarine would
90 a-glimmering.
Fortunately our war legislation has
given the government grip OF Its own on
the industrial situation. 1t no longer mas
70 stand by and wait for the companies
and the workers to settle their disputes.
1t has obtained a right of intervention
which. though somewhat scant so far as
pressure on the men is concerned, is ample
enough to force a settlement on the en-
ployers.
The government has not undertaken so
far to forbid strikes in employments OF
semi-military nature. Congress failed to
rass legislation recommended by Presl-
dent Wilson suspending the right OF rail-
road workers to 90 on strike until the eN-
riration of a certain period set for con-
citation and arbitration. 1t would not
enforce this salutary rule IN an industry
which is already completely under the
Governments control and for which it does
not hesitqte to prescribe wages and hours
of labor. 1t has not given the Admins
tration power to hold men in the ship
building industry at work against their
wishes or. as an outsider, to fix wages IN
that industry except through voluntary
arbitration and agreement.
But the Secretary of the Navy and the
Shipping Board are both authorized to
take over and operate shipping plants, and
the government may thus be brought INTO
direct relation with the operatives as an
emplover. 1t can then increase their
wages. if il sees fit to do so. 1t can en-
rlov Cancellation first and, if that fails, 1t
might under the war power and the proVl-
sions of the selective consumption act and
other recent legislation draft men to work
as shipbuilders.
II would be a travesty on government IN
war time to allow vitality important mill,
tary work to be held up by labor disputes
The public is in no temper to tolerate
wrangling which will delay the completion
of our new war vessels and Of our emer-
IA eencv merchant fleet and thus help Ger
. MANY to cut our lines of communication
with our allies. Almost any measure of
coercion on the governments part would
be justified if the strike just begun
dragged on and Germany's submarine
campaign were thus abetted and faclll-
tatcd.
We do not believe that any drastic
measures will be needed to reopen the
shipyards. The British government,
whose authority to deal with labor dis
turbances goes further, perhaps, 50 far as
mere legislative warrant is concerned,
than our governments does, has had to
face many strikes and threatened strikes
in the munitions, coal mining and other
industries. 1t has dealt with them by
mingling persuasion and force, by appeal
ing to the patriotic feeling of the men, as
we'll az holding over their heads the threat
of coercion.
Persuasion will probably be a sufficient
weapon with our shipyard strikers.
American labor in general has shown a
sound patriotic spirit since the war began.
II has, on the whole, been wisely led, the
sedition and pacifsm Of the |. W. W. radi-
Gals being the exception which proves the
rule. The conditions which caused the Pa
cific Coast strike are still obscure. 1t was
precipitated, apparently, by something
like a misunderstanding. The strike lead
ers in California may have been over
hasty. Their desire to take advantage of
a tempting opportunity to boost wages
may have blinded them to the gravity,
from the military point of view, of any
interruption whatever of rush work on
warships and food and munitions carriers.
The Secretary of the Navy and the
Shipping Board are already in position
to regulate wages in connection with such
contracts as call for percentage of profit
to the builder. They can decide to what ex-
tent the demands for wage increases are
reasonable. They can urge the companies
to make concessions in all cases where
wages are relatively low. Time is more
important element than cost in the race
TO Guido the German submarine.
But if an investigation of the origin Of
the present strike discloses any purpose
Of wanton obstruction and any desire to
play into Germany's hand the government
may as we'll prepare to, fight that spirit