The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-08-24
COMPREHENSIVE
STATEMENT
Continued from Page OneD

trv. In this instance but fraction
of the industry was affected ana
whether or not the balance of the
operators could be brought to take
this view was speculative 1t was so
uncertain as to offer no hope that
the men would seriously consider 1T
as the solution to the problem and
90 back to work on the assurance
that the employers would work to
that end. Please bear in mind that
this is not a strike engineered by
few agitators-as some employers
keep insisting-but revolt among
the great mass of the workers them
selves with the eight-hour day as the
one overshadowing object of attain
men they have in mind. For the
union officials to go back to the men
with a proposition of settlement the
men would not accept, would have
materially weakened the influence of
the officials in all matters of ne
gotiation.
In the final reply of the operators
to the Defense Council, rejecting the
compromise proposal of nine hours at
once and eight hours on April LIST
next, stress was laid on the follow
ing argument:
The needs Of the government de-
manded that the plants be worked to
the maXium of output which could
only be on a minimum workday of
ten hours. The National Defense
Council was quoted as being opposed
to any change in existing working
standards during the war except as
those changes were approved by the
National Council National labor
leaders were quoted to bear out that
contention. The lumbermen contend
ed that the establishment of an eight
hour day in their industry was new
labor standard and therefore con-
trary to the policy of the National
Defense Council and the national la
Dor movement. We telegraphed this
statement to Samuel Gompers and
here is his telegraphic reply:
Telegram received. In reply will
say the eight hour day is not only the
normal recognized daily working time
but established by law Hence to
enforce that practice is not a change
of standards. Where essential war
work is to be performed in an ex-
traordinary emergency, more than
s hours may be worked but for such
overtime should be paid at least.
AS for time and one-half this prin-
ciple has been declared by President
Wilson in public proclamation and
all should be willing to conform to
it. | trust that you, President Marsh
and others, including employers, will
exert every effort to reach an ad-
justment upon this honorable basis
and that thus the materials may be
supplied for our country in this cri:.
ical time. Please keep me advised.
SAMUEL GOMPERS."
Please note that | stated before
that the men offered to waive all
overtime compensation and work ten
, hours on all government contracts.
Saturday morning a lengthy tele-
gram was received from the Secre-
tary of War, citing the seriousness of
the national situation, the crying de-
f mand of the government for ship
and aeroplane construction. The
telegram stated that the recognized
standard on government work was
eight hours; that the President had
; power to set aside the eight-hour day
in an emergency, when time and one
half should be paid for overtime. The
lumbermen were urged by Secretary
Baker to settle the strike on that
= basis To this appeal the lumber.
! men turned a deaf ear.
S On Willapa Harbor there are tive
= shipyards shut down for want Of
lumber, every mill on that harbor be-
\ ing closed down tight. On Gray'
Harbor in four shipyards the mer
q refused to handle "ten hour lumber
! and the yards were closed. I an
= not advised at this writing whether
d these yards are operating or not
a But the situation is serious in thu
s entire shipbuilding industry. Thu
n men are FESTIVE and not disposed t.
Q handle lumber cut under ten-hou
n conditions, and it is a question
= whether the men can be held at worl
8 very long. The same condition OBJ
tains in the cantonment at American
Lake. 1t is absolutely imperative
q that those buildings be rushed t.
" completion and union officials hav
r been sitting on the lid there TO
) days, restraining the men on tina
ioh 7 nm IF tho Onip;o,, +ha+ ~, ar.