Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1918-08-30
THE ANNUAL BALL.
STACKER STORY DENOUNCED.

STACKER STORY DENOUNCED.
The meeting Monday night of the
Shipyard Laborers, Riggers and Fast
eners took notice of the charge by
Senator Miles Poindexter that the en-
ployes in the Sloan shipyards in Olym-
pia were slackers and, after consid-
cradle heated discussion, the charge
was denounced as false. The secre-
tary of the union has telegraphed
Chairman Hurley of the shipping
dexter's conclusions were based on
unreliable information and that an
investigation would SO establish.
Senator Poindexter is quoted in
Sundays papers as having declared
that the employees in the Olympia
yards were Stacking and that he had
asked for an investigation by the
shipping board.
The conclusions reached by Poin'
dexter are of part with the gossip
which has been current locally for
many months. Delay in completing
vessels has led the ordinary citizen
to make guess at placing the
blame, and those seeking to discredit
the workers have consistently point
ed their finger at the employees.
According to testimony by the
shipworkers the real cause Of the
poor showing in completed vessels by
the Sloan yards can be credited to
two things: Lack of material and
poor management. That there have
been repeated changes of manage
ment indicates a weakness there or
superabundance of politics. Some
people hold to one theory. some to the
other. Few disinterested citizens
credit the workers with any con-
certed or wholesale soldering on the
Job The few workers who give sup
port to the Stacker theory are in
variably general in their claims; the
slackers are always somewhat re-
moved from the vicinity of the faith
full, tale bearing laborer, and when
he faces the challenge for more def
mite information he brings up the
qualifying reserves in such quanti-
ties as to stamp his testimony as
nothing better than an old wOman's
tale. Something more penetrating
than slap-sticks should be used on
these he-gossips.
Discussion by the Laborers, Rig
gers and Fasteners proceeded along
the above lines for an hour or more,
and the consensus of opinion was that
the employees had nothing to fear
from any investigation that may be
made of the local shipbuilding plant.
Taking up the question Of trades
union candidates for Office, voiced in
a communication from the secretary
of the Trades Council calling atten-
ton to the candidacy of M. d. Abbott
for assessor and George Mueller for
representative. it was urged upon the
members of the union that slackers
at the polls should be just as scarce
as in the workshop. In this connec-
ton it was brought out that Paul
Paulk, candidate for county clerk,
held an honorable withdrawal card
from the Laborers, Riggers and Fast
eners, and was entitled to the con-
sideration of union men. The COM
,municatiOn from the Trades Council
was as follows:
Dear Sir and Brother: The Trades
Council has instructed me to write
you with regard to the candidacy for
political Office of two members Of our
local trades unions.
George Mueller. of the Ship Car
penters, is candidate for the state
legislature.
IN. D. Abbott Of the Typograph'
ical union is candidate for county
assessor.
After hearing the report of spe-
cial committee, the Trades Council
gave it's endorsement to these men as
being qualified for the positions they
seek. and faithful to the principles
of union labor.
In this connection | would bring
to the attention of your members GER
tain self-evident facts
Il. The positions these candi
dates seek are important ones.
80. Several candidates are in the
field for the republican nomination
for representative and assessor. which
indicates that few hundred vote!
Will be sufficient to nominate.
"S. Union labor should easily pol
many more votes than are necessary
to place the names of these union mer
on the ballot.