The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-23
HOSIERY MEN WANT
IDLENESS AVERTED
Adopt Protest to Washington
to Keep 100000 at Work
in Their Mills.
SOUP KITCHENS MENACE
Manufacturers See Danger in
Quick Cancellation of Fed
eral Contracts.

Predictions that American working
men and women would be fed in soup
kitchens By January IL the authorities
at Washington persisted in their present
policy of cancelling contracts for war
materials and other supplies for the
army were made yesterday at meeting
OF the war services COMMITTEES OF the
hosiery and underwear industry, OF
which wallace J. Ross Is secretary. The
meeting was called to consider contefn-
plated cancellations OF Government con-
tracts In plants manufacturing that line
Of goods. II the order now being dis
cussed is to be put into effect 80 manu-
faoturers declared, 100000 workers will
be thrown out of employment.
According TO assertions made at the
committee meeting there are many
manufacturing towns where the Govern
ment has already curtailed the output
of rifles and other articles which cannot
be used in the future because OF the
ending of the war. Thousands of per-
sons employed in these plants will be
seeking work, II was said. 1t was argued
that II their ranks were TO be swollen
by the hosiery and underwear workers
there were many communities, espe-
cially in this section. whefe the purchas-
ing power OF the laborinE classes would
be reduced to practically nothing for the
next two or three month";.
In most instances, the mill owners
said. II would DO necessary before the
plants could begin work on peace time
A. II d. g. 80
machinery, obtain raw materials and
orders for hosiery and underwear for
civilian use. In the meantime the capt.
tai invested in the concerns would be
tied UP.
Months shutdown Inevitable.
The mills will be in the position of
having to shut down from four weeks
to three months even IL they had civil
ian orders in their books now. which
they haven't" eaid Me-. Ross THE Gov
eminent heretofore has not permitted
the purchase of raw material to be used
made into those lines"
1t was argued at the meeting that
the Government could utilize the hosiery
and underwear which was being made
for the troops In supplying the destitute
populations OF northern France, Belgium
and Russia.
IF we are to avoid unemployment
here upon a large scale we must keep
some industries running here for the
next few weeks" declared Mr.. Ross.
The Federal action means the throwing
| out of the hosiery and underwear work.
ers forthwith. There Is no other work
| for them to do and they will swell the
ranks OF the idle men and women re-
leased from the munitions plants. II
general business is to be good we must
preserve intact the purchasing power
OF the laboring man during the i'm
| mediate future"
Reports were made to the COMMITTEES
that only about 10 per cent. OF the
hosiery and underwear usually ordered
at this time for spring delivery was al
present contracted for. Dealers were
| fearful OF making purchases because OF
doubt regarding their ability to sell
| goods in case OF general depression, II
was stated. According to the statement
OF one manufacturer $4,000 worth OF
his orders for spring delivery had been
cancelled In the last fortnight.
Protest Going to Washington.
The following resolutions were adopted
at the meeting and copies will be sen,
| to the Secretary OF War the Secretary
| OF the Treasury and the chairman OF the
War Industries Board:
Whereas the necessary suspension OF
work on Government contracts for mu.
nitions. aircraft and other articles now
| rendered useless by the advent OF peace
thus throwing out Of employment many
| thousands OF workers, and whereas the
authorities at Washington are now con.
| Hidering and have suggested similar
\ aHt Wit %,