New-York tribune., 1918-06-20
Many N. Y. Factories II,
Up by Demands for
Increased Pay
u. S. Agents Called
To Settle Dispute,
Labor Chiefs Accused i
Pro6teering and Takins
Unfair Advantage

Aw
production in several plants of sreat4,
New York. Most of the plants atfeeba
have been working on sub-cont,sst,
making parts for the Liberty motor
Efforts Of employers and empIoye. !.
settle the disputes carrie 20 standssgu
last week. and an appeal was sent !.
Washington, with the result that \.
representatives of the government hs,.
been in conference with manufactu,,r
and union officials here during the l.H
two days. Yesterday the manufactures
said the whole problem Of produesi,n
was up to government officials. III.
would have to settle the wage disruhs
The employers charged union lsba,
leaders with profiteering and takinr m.
fair advantage of the war situaties
They expressed doubt that the Federai
officials could settle the disputes.
Union Men Reticent
! Apparently the union officials hays
tried to keep the strikes from gaining
publicity. They denied fatty that I'M
strike existed in the metal industries
They admitted there was a tie-up only
after a Tribune reporter had read !
list Of the plants closed The msnu.
| facturers were not so close-mouthed
One Of them suggested the union olB.
Gals were trying to keep the facts frpn
the public because they had nothing i
! be proud Of in their latest demands fcr
increased wages.
The factories tied up BY strikes an:
Scientific Machine and Tool Corpoia-
tion, 81 Jay Street, Brooklyn, making
fixtures for Liberty motors.
Chatham Machine and Tool Compasy
128 Mott Street, working on LibsHy
motor sub-contracts.
Premier Snap Fastener Company, 10a
Grand Street, making Liberty metm
and aeroplane parts.
Premier Special Machine and III
Corporation, 421 Canal Street.
National Indicator Company, $50 ".
non Avenue, Long Island City, Libesay
motor sub-contractors.
Blair Tool and Machine Works, .lne,
521 Greenwich Street, making parts for
r.o'oA VI AoSHS o"dieiAS sHipiueut
One Company Yields
Last Monday the toolmakers en-
ployed by the Visograph Company. 81
West 10th Street, walked out. Lssxs
a settlement was effected. the company
yielding to most of the demands made
by the workers.
The Slocum plant has been thrsat-
x,,ykk 90
Last Tuesday it was announced the usn
would walk out yesterday. Tho d.
ficers of the company expected to ciese
shop, but the strike did not materials
Sporadic strikes have occurred In msny
other plants working on war contrsets
or sub-contracts, and manufactures
said the union labor officials wefe
planning to close about twenty WI
production plants if their demands
were not granted.
These demands, according to tke
manufacturers, include Q minimum fats
of 85 cents an hour for toolmaksfs;
rs cents for machinists and instrument
makers, and so cents for screw mAchiEe
operators. The manufacturers say ths
union leaders also demand minimum
of 70 cents an hour for mschinists
starting on job without having proved
their skill, and minimum Of 80 eepn
for toolmakers whose work and chars
ter are unknown to the employer.
Offer Made to Workers
/. The manufacturers have agreedb p
pay toolmakers 80 cents an hour; ~
chinists and instrument makers
cents, and the screw machine opersssn
66 cents ii. minimum rates. This 0G0
was rejected.
J.J. McEntee, business agent Of Dis
trict No. Is of the international -.
sociation of Machinists, at frst den!n
yesterday that there was any sttlks.
Later he admitted the men had waikee
out in several plants, but he refused
discuss the strike, merely saying
hoped it would be settled by govern,
ment officials.
AT meeting Tuesday afternoon aue
evening in the Broadway Central Hesel
the manufacturers with war contfyen
were addressed by Major Geteaelt
U. S. A. representing the War Depen
ment, and Mr.. Howe. representing he
Navy Department. They are said g
have stated that solution might
effected by an order Of the governnens
enforcing the same rates Of pay ss noy
prevail in United States arsenais ena
from Washington last night.
The manufacturers ssy the rates seg'
gested by Major Getcheil and Mr.. HoW
would figure out lower than sness
offered by the employers.
There seems to be only one coens
open" said manufacturer whose piep'
Is closed, "and that is for the goveia
ment to authorize changes in all nH
contracts. and to allow the manufacEas,
ers certain percentage of pront os8
cost. Otherwise we will all 60 beM
rupt."
| Employer Explains
| A. Brudney, vice-president Of
Chatham Machine and Tool Company
reviewed the labor troubles y m
! plant, which he said were closely
alleled in most war material fscpes
Of the metropolitan section. -
"A year ago our employees denape
q union shop with minimum wage1
65 cents an hour for toolmaker ~
65 cents for machinists," saao
Brudney. eve granted their demsas.5
Since that time wages have incssss n.
automatically because of the greas x
mand for skilled workers. Two motfs<s of<s
ago toolmakers were getting 81 SfSs
an hour and machinists 60 cents. ~
the union leaders began to agstsM
their present demands, whicn aS IS
great deal more than is appsSesss.. s..s.
any one not familiar with iscoa1 ~sk
ditions. The new demands wouia ss1K
an increase Of practically oV ps.
in the cost Of production. 90 tns
axacts the right to determinss
workers shall receive the fali