Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-12-07
EVENTS DEMONSTRATES WISDOM
OF POLICY.

Members OF the American Fedora
ton of Labor on the Pacific Coast
are beinug given clear demonstra-
ton of the wisdom of the policy that
has been pursued by the leaders of
the Labor Movement in the nation.
Many cases of industrial strife in this
section have been considered by
agents of the labor department of
the government and reasonable ad-
justments made.
Following the extraordinary and
unheard of policy of the Wilson ad-
in carrying out its plat
form pledges given to the working
people of the country, the workers
generally supported the president in
his campaign for reelection. When
the war situation became acute, the
executive committee of the Fedora
ton, before the declaration of war,
called a meeting of representatives,
of the trades unions of the nation
for the purpose of considering a dec
laration of policy in the event the
United States became involved in the
war. That declaration, prepared in
advance by President Gompers and
his advisers, pledged the organized
working people to full support OF
the government, and this declaration
was unqualifiedly approved by the
convention of labor leaders.
President Gompers Immediately
set in motion plans to make active
participation in war preparation on
the part of the Federation a fact. II
is unnecessary to say that this policy
was appreciated by the national ad-
ministration and that appreciation
has been shown in the recognition
accorded union labor by all depart
ments of the government. Organized
Labor has been treated to the agree
able practice of settlement Of labor
disputes with employers through the
machinery of the Labor Department
Of the presidents cabinet, depart.
ment headed by one of Union Labor's
own people, tried and proved. EN-
ployers will assert that the unions
have been given a shade the best OF
it in all settlements. This is untrue
Of course, but something as surpris.
ing has come to pass - labor has
been given square deal, "a show
for its white alley" in controversies
with employers. At time which
In every sense of the word, was crit.
ical for union labor we have been
able not only to hold our own. but
have strengthened our position be.
yond computation.
In prospect at this time is the
transfer Of thousands of skilled me.
chanics now engaged in the manu-
facture of commodities not essential
to the winning Of the war to the
shipbuilding plants on the Pacific
ocean. Plans are being arranged by
the United States shipping board and
the department of labor. headquar-
tiers having already been established
In Seattle.
Fortunately for the union move.
ment, and due to the far-sighted pol
fey Of the American Federation OF
Labor, the machinery which will
carry out this equalization Of labor
demand will be directed with due con.
sideration Of the rights OF the organ.
ICED workers.
The shift in employment will be
made gradually, as the manufacture
OF nQn-essentials is curtailed by the
government, thereby avoiding an in.
dustrial disturbance which doubtless
would result II the manufacture OF
$50 commodities now on the, non
essential list were to be stopped sud.
denly.
One hundred and sixty thousand
additional shipyard workers, 1t is
estimated, will be needed next spring
when the new shiphuilding plants
now under course Of construction
reach their peak demand. There is
a shortage today of between $4,000
and $4,000 men in existing plants.
Between 5000 and 5000 of that
number are needed in plants on this
coast.
1t is the plan of the department of
labor to list the qualifications of
every man now engaged in plants
that are to have their production cur
tailed as a war move. This will give
a comprehensive report on the labor
supply available and then each state
will he notified of the proportion it
must supply to the shipbuilding in
dustry.
Before any men are taken from a
community consideration will be
given to the question of how many
can be taken from there to the ship
yards without creating an industrial