The Washington herald., 1918-02-17
Union Men Assure Pres;-
dent They viii Stay
On the Job.
PRESIDENT CONFERS
WITH LABOR LlApER
Commission to Be AppoiaF.
ed for Adjustment Of
All Disputes.

Government officials were conf
dent last night that the strike of the
ship carpenters will not spread.
Latest reports received at the
offices of the Shipping Board de-
clared that not more than I,6OO
men are out. OF this number
l.O5O. it was stated, represented all
the ship carpenters at the Staten
Island and New York yards, and
$50 those at the affected yard. at
Baltimore.
Announcement last night by the
wage adjustment board of the Ship
ping Board of new schedules of
wages for all yards in the Delaware
district, including those at Bal6-
more. is expected to operate as a
powerful lever in bringing the strik-
ing carpenters back into line.
GOmpers Sees President.
Action by the President is not ex-
pected before tonight The following
telegram was received by him today
from William L. Hutcheson. president
Of the carpenters union, requesting a
conference.
The sitpation now existing in the
shipyards is OF q nature that required
immediate attention. ]. as president
of the United Brotherhood Of Carpen-
ters and Joiners Of America. endeav-
ored to reach an understanding with
the officers OF the United States Ship
ping Board, but was unable TO do SO.
l feel If given opportunity 10 lay the
matter before you that a solution
would be quickly arrived at
Il desire to inform you, my dear
Mr.. President. that ], as a patriotic
citizen. am deSIrous Of rendering
every assistance to YOU and our
country to carry on the work nee
essary TO bring about a successful
conclusion of the world war in
which We are engaged. Yours very
sincerely.
WIN. /. HUTCHINSON
Last night the President was in
conference with Samuel Gompers,
president OF the American Fedora
tion OF Labor, and representatives
of the New England Federation OF
Labor 1t was stated that tho wat
ter of labor in the making r.rr.-
tions for the allies was di ICED.
but neither the White Ho. nor
the Federation officials wou ak
The matter OF the shipyarc -5rikt
it was indicated, was not ts GO 4 2.
To Appoint Commission.
The President. however. was in
receipt Of advices from the Ship
ping Board during the evening
tending 10 minimize the seriousness
Of the situation.
Secretary OF Labor Wilson an
nounced he would appoint a new
wage commission OF ten members,
the function OF which will be to
devise a uniform labor policy for
the government for the period OF
the war. Five OF the mem win
represent employers gene b. ..r
five will be nominated by ..
ican Federation OF Labor
Assurances were Eiver . 20
Shipping Board last nigI ~ rep
resCntatiyes here OF otns. trades
employed at the Atlantic Coast
shipyards that they would not walk
out in sympathy with the carpen-
ters, but would stand by their
agreement not 10 bring up during
the period Of the war disputes con-
cerninS closed or open shop cond!-
tions at the yards.
Secretary Of Labor Wilson last
night determined upon the appoint
ment Of a special commission OF ten
men to devise a general labor policy
to be pursued throughout the war
1t will work TO the end Of keeping
all men at work necessary TO a sue
ccssful prosecution OF the war.
1t will formulate a working scheme
NONTTNTrFn OS pACE rOr7