New-York tribune., 1918-02-16
Strike Of $4,000
Shipbuilders Here
I hreatened To-day

7 threatened To-day
Complete paralysis OF the govern
lnent's shipbuilding programme in the
big New York yards this morning
hangs upon the clearing up Of a mis-
understanding of terms between work
crs and employers.
Unles somebody steps in and ex-
plains away the difference that exists
between the United States Shipping
Board and the officials Of the unions
representing 10000 shipbuiIders here
before the close OF the working day, at
least $4,000 or these workers promise
10 lay down their tools and quit work
until an agreement has been reached
Such q walkout. the ship builders agree
would result in an almost complete
tie-up not only of the shipyards. but
of numerous plants that now are feed
ing materials INTO them.
The difference between the United
brotherhood Of Carpenters and Joimcrs,
which is acting for the ship workers
generally. and the Shipping Board, sole
preventative of the employers ant
the government. was summed uD last
night in jhis way:
Carpenters Insist that their de-
mands : ave been in the hands of the
United States Shipping Board for
months, but have been set aside re-
peatedly without action. They ask
only for an Investigation Of wage
conditions, with a view to an agree
ment similar to that made on the
Pacific Coast, where $500 day is
absolutely essential, however, as
Shipping Board Representatives
Here Repeat that the government is
willing to make full investigation,
as demanded by the men, if they will
abide by the decision Of properly
appointed arbitcrs and trust the gov
ernmcnt to give them d fair deal,
meanwhile remaining at their work
as patriotism demands.
Both sides insisted that they wishet
only patriotic and reasonable attj
tude on the part Of the other. But b!
night they had failed TO come an,
closer together than at the beginning
of the day. Moreover. every meeting
held by the ship workers and there
were many Of them about the various
yards on Staten Island and in tn
neiGhborhood of Newark il
an announced intention TO quit worl
unless something definite was done b.
the government at once.
Meanwhile. moro men walked ou
from the Staten Island yards in th
face of dramatic appeals by welGar
workers from the Shipping Board, VIII
/ denounced any man who laid down hi
hammer as a traitor to his countr
who was placing in jeopardy the live
j Of 90 n
strikers, made after the close Of tn
days work. showed that the men o
! strike were distributed in this way
Standard Ship Building Company, Shoot
Staten Island Ship Building Company,
Staten Island Ship Building Company,
Mariners Hatbor ..........,........ 10
Downey Ship Building Company, Mari
Johnson 'fso nSrpo' ship Building Company. Mari.
ner's Harhor ......... -..,....,.."... y
Several yards on Newark Bay .......... AZ
Await Word From Hurley
This is the largest number of men o
strike since the beginning of the pres
ent labor troubles in the governmel
controlled yards. Officials of the Cal
ponters' organization, as we'll as thos
of the Marine Wood Workers Uniol
insisted that they We're doing all the
could to keep the men in check pendin
some action by +. n. Hurley, head {
the Shipping Board. at Washingto
= The union officials declared that a hea
ing by proper government officials VIZ
all that was required to bring abo'
an agreement that would make strli
unnecessary. But, somehow, they d
not feel that the conferences betwee
Mr.. Hurley and William l.. Hutcheso
representative of the workers, noW
Washington, was likely to bring abo1
this delayed understanding.
Typical of the attitude of the wor
ers. was that of Henry H. Cozzens, n
tional delegate Of the carpenters fro
Staten Island, who declared that
was convinced that fifteen minutes Co
vcrsation with Mr.. Hurley would be q
agreement with that official and pr
vent general walkout.
Men Insist on Drastic Action
The men have just grievances, al
be fair with them" he said. But the
have delayed giving us any hearing fl
so long that the men are convince
that drastic action is required to &
results. If | could talk the questic
over with the Shipping Board men
bers | know that could convince the
of the justice of our stand and prevel
further difficulty.
J "The men want $500 a day. as is b.