The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-10-03
INDIANA LABOR
HEAD SPEAKS AT
MASS MEETING
Local Workmen Told Situa-.
ton is in Hands Of War La
Dor Board.

The labor situation in Richmond Is
in the hands Of the National War La
Dor Board. A telegram received as
an answer to one sent by Paul Smith,
labor organizer from Washington
reads as follows:
Telegram received Matter Of con-
troversies at Richmond, Indiana. have
been referred to National War Labor
Board 1t will send examiners to
Richmond to investigate conditions
previous to handing down award
Suggest you communicate directly
with the board"
(Signed) X. L. kERWlN.
The situation in it's entirety was
put before the laboring men and
women of Richmond at a mass meet
ing held in the Eagles hall. Paul
Smith who has been in Richmond for
several weeks, endeavoring to relieve
the situation presented the matter.
II was not sure last Monday morn
ing whether ! would stay in Richmond
or not but am here to stay and !
shall stay until you put me out
have been in Richmond trying to
bring about some solution to the sit
uation here. After workingmen here
agreed to meet the manufacturers
half way the employers have refused
to negotiate with the department OF
labor.
Duty to Be Patient.
I'm the meantime we have cailed IN
the department Of war and at the
same time calling upon you people TO
be patient. That is your duty IN time
of war. 1t is your duty to do every
thing in your power to help produc-
ton and out of respect to your coun-
try and to help the boys over there
you have been patient. !,
For six long weeks we have nacl
representatives of the war department
in Richmond begging the employees To-
come to some kind Of settlement.
that would give you the rights ina
the government says you shall nave
The United States government mas
decided through the War Labor Board
that union organization Is recognlZHo
and affirmed.
Woodrow Wilson asked that every
employer and employe Of labor abide
by his proclamation. The employ srs
have rebelled even to the point OF
forcing the government to take over
the industries.
For six weeks Lieutenant Burns,
Sergeant Mcdonald and Captain NVeo
ster have been in Richmond endetvor'
ing to make settlements. A few days
ago Lieutenant Burns came to me with
a proposition that he thought would nix
things up in five out OF the l6 manu-
featuring concerns in Richmond tha'
are engaged in industries that come
under the Jurisdiction of the ordnance
and aircraft department. l agreed
that ! would go before the workers
and ask them to accept this PROPOSE
ton, when some alleged newspaper
people came on the scenes. They
turned out to be Sherman dete ctives
when they were confronted by the
county council of defense. They wen
so far as to circulate the report tina
there would be a general strife II
Richmond One little factory did g
cut but | went down there ard tolt
them If they did not go back to worl
they would lose their union ca I'd.
Have Made Good in War
'Your case is now in the hands o
the war labor board.
81 ask you not to refuse to buy Lib
erty bonds for fear you will rot ge
your settlement. Buy all you can Blu.
until 1t hurts. Help win the war
wages or no wages, conditions. or NJ
conditions"
Charles Fox. a member Of tn Stat
(,OunCll Oh IcleHst, duu plCSiuChI "
the State Federation Of Labor, spoke
He stated that THE working peopl
of this country are an institution tina
has made good on every occasion
since thrust into this conflict.
THE coal producers failed to de
liver the goods. AS result war pro
duction was hampered and the so
diers were retarded. Those in al
thority saw something must be done
The government took over the Goa
production.
Transportation failed. The govern
ment took over the railroads. 1t too
charge of food distribution Right O.
down the line the government has tai
en- over institutions but it has no
taken over the labor department.. Be
cause every time that labor has bee
called upon to make sacrifices an
TO make a greater effort it has don
so.
This is labor's war. We are figh
ing for a paramount principle. w
have paramount issue-Democrac!
We are not fighting in the trenche
but we must fight at home. We mus
back those boys"
Mr. Fox gave the audience, the hi
tory of the institution of labor an
what has been done for it.
Robert Graham presided at tn
meeting.