Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-19
Rebuke To Head of Carpen-
ters' Union Elicits Prompt
Order For Men to Con-
: tinue Work In Many
Yards.
PROBLEM OF WAGE
RAISE UNSETTLED

Washington, D. c., Feb. ia
Shipping board officials an
nounced late today that they had
received assurances that all the
striking carpenters in eastern ship
yards would be back at work TO-
/, morrow. A large number, they
said, had reported for work today.
New York. Feb. 1s.-The strike by
carpenters in the Atlantic seaboard
ship yards engaged on government
contracts is over, John Rice, national
organizer of the United Brotherhood
OF Carpenters and Joiners said today.
Several thousand men who are still
idle are expected to be at work to-
morrow.
!. About 5000 of the strikers returned
to work this morning, Mr.. Rice, estl-
mated. "The men are going back be-
rause they have every confidence that
President Wilson will adjust this mat
tcrsto their satisfaction" he said.
IDLE UNDER MISREPRESENTATION
u In yards at Philadelphia, Baltimore,
Jersey City, Elizabethport, Newark
and New York about 5000 carpenters
quit work this morning. Mr.. Rice an
nounced, because they we're unaware
Of developments, but many OF these
later were informed of this situation
and returned to the yards. .t.E
A mass meeting OF striking carpen-
..tsFs had been cAsled II Brooklyn to-
I day and at this gathering these men
would be instructed to return. ,Mr.
&ice said; meanwhile kilograms and
telephone MESSAGES were sent to the
BROTHERHOOD locals in other cities.
WILSON'S WORD ENOUGH
The probability that the strike is
nearing its end was confirmed by A.
C.. Wilkie, district officer here for the
Emergency Fleet corporation. There
are indications the entire matter will
be adjusted this afternoon Mr..
Wilkie said.
While President Hutcheson of the
Cal penters and 'Joiners' union declin-
ed to supplement his reply to Presi-
dent Wilson last night in which he
said he would use his influence to in
duce the strikers to return. T. L.
Guetin. a member of the executive
committee, said:
"The president has spoken and that
Is enough. The men are going back"
PRESIDENT INTERVIEWS
Washington, D. c., Feb 49,
President Wilson took a hand in the
ship building situation last night and
issued a sharp rebuke. to President
Hutcheson. president of the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners, who had refused to send the
strikers back to work and requested a
personal conference to lay the matter
before the president The president,
IN his telegram to Hutcheson, declar.
ed II the union leader did not wish to
give aid and comfort to the enemy he
would direct the men to return to
their Jobs pending settlement The
DFesident declined to see Hutcheson
until he had done so.
This message brought prompt &C.
tion from President Hutcheson and
local union officials in affe;ted dis
tricts were notified last night to ask
the men under their Jurisdiction to re.
turn to work today. The union leader.
Informed the men that he wanted the
wish Of the president of the United
States complied with Immediately.
In formal reply to President VIII.
son. Hutcheson asked again that the
president meet him as the "only way
- which to solve the problem"