South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-11
LABOR
ON TRIAL IN
WAR DEBATE
Attacked and Defended When
Conference Report on Bill
is Reported to Upper
House of Congress.


lean labor in its relation TO the pros
ecution OF the war was attacked and
defended in the senate Wednesday
during debate on a conference report
on a bill making it unlawful 10 OBJ
struct the manufacture Of war ma
terials or TO damage war factories
or their products. objection center
ed on house amendment. accepted
by the senate cOnferees, exempting
from the measures provisions work
men who strike for higher wages or
better living conditions
The debate had not been conclud-
ed when the senate adjourned
Opposing the amendment. sen.
Underwood of Alabama said the
failure of the nation TO have more
ships on the sea is more directly
due 10 labor failing To respond 70
the demands Of the nation than
anything else. He added that while
he favored exemption from military
service for workmen needed for the
prosecution Of the war, he believed
when labor refused 10 do its duty
it should be made 10 fight.
Fletcher ExOnerates Labor.
sen. Sterling Of South Dakota at
man of the commerce committee.
which has been investigating ship
ping for many weeks. declared that
the lack Of American tonnage on
the seas is not due 10 labor Difficult
ties. Labor is loyal and willing 10
work he said. but in order to build
ships yards had 10 be constructed
and that had taken time. The hous-
ing problem also had delayed the
shipping program, he said
Sen. Sterling of South Dakota. at
tackled circulars which he said had
been sent out by the public service
reserve of the department Of labor
advising nOn-uniOn workmen To re
main away from Pacific coast ship
yards as all places we're filed by UNI
ion men and said those responsible
for the circulars should be removed
from office.
Sen. Nelson of Minnesota, one of
the conferees. said nothing had led
more TO labor difficulties thah the
fact that the administration
through the various channels, has
catered 10 labor" Strikes he said.
had much to do with delay in
maintaining the ship building pro-
gram.
Called 'Criminally Wrong"
The amendment exemptins strik-
ers was denounced as "criminally
wrong" by Sen. Thomas of Colorado.
who said he was opposed TO any
legislation that would legalize the
suspension of work in this country
when every effort is needed to pro-
mote war. Passage of this bill in
its present form he said. would per-
NIT the /. w. w TO continue its
propaganda and "paralyze the pro-
ductivity of the nation"
Il think il is unwise to have a
fight with labor now" said Sen.
Overman of North Carolina, one Of
the conferees, and he added that if
the government wanted to make Ia
boring men work resardless of
wages, they should be conscripted.
Supportina the amendment. sen.
Hollis Of New Hampshire said cap
ital and labor have reached an
agreement at recent conferences
which will largely eliminate labor
difficulties and added that there is
nothing in the amendment which
should cause alarm
Sen. Pittman of Nevada said that
without the strike provision the
measure will mot stand very long.
He said he was willing 10 see both
the employer and the employe con
scripted if necessary. but not the
employe alone.