New-York tribune., 1918-02-18
"Wiil You Cooperate
or Obstruct?" He Asks
Militant Head of
Carpenters
Gompers Indorses
Presidents S Stand
Workers. Return Only
Temporary, but the
Crisis Is Believed
Passed

There viii be no general shipbuild-
ing strike. The lone word from,
president Wilson which union officials
announced on Saturday night would
prevent general walkout Of workers
and complete paralysis OF the govern
ment's ship construction programme.
was uttered yesterday with unexpected
promptness and immediate effect.
lhe minority Of carpenters who
struck last week in advance of Official
instructions, will be ordered back to
their respective yards this morning bv
thelr unions, and the men who had ex
pected to cease work this morning in
1he event that no agreement had been
reached approximately $4,000 in all
viii continue their duties at the shin
yards about New York.
President Rebukes Militants
But President Wilson'S "one word"
proved to be of entirely different tone
than that expected by the militant
heads of the Carpenters Union. Instead
Of accepting the invitation to discuss
the labor problems involving the ship
builders, telegraphed to him by Will
lam l.. Hutcheson, head OF the carpen-
terS' brotherhood. on Saturday. he sent
reply IN which he sharply rebuked
mat Official for interfering with the
governments business and charged
MIN with giving aid and comfort to
the enemy"
He rebuked Hutcheson for ,,r,;,.,
strike measures before exhaustine
every other avenue of settlement re
1errlng 10 the Labor Adjustment Board
with which other unions have succeed
ed IN obtaining satisfactory settlements
OF all wage disputes and questions of
working conditions
there vas just a hnt Of a threat IN
the cryptic query Of The Presidents
message, "Will You cooperate or will
you obstruct ."
ne head OF the carpenters brother
nood, who had followed his telegram to
me President on Saturday bv going ia
YORK Yesterday afternoon in -imo 10
receive the reply when it was delivered
at has Continental Hotel quarters. NJ
Hutchoson Immediately called members
OF the local organization into con
ference, and for two hours they re
NAMED behind locked doors.
Seeks to Meet President
linen, in reply to the Presidents
counter demand that the men resume
their work, he addressed this TELEGRAM,
to the President:
ION: Woodrow Wilson. President Of
the United States.
My dear President: Your telegram
requesting our members to return to
work at hand. In reply. | am in
slructn$ our representatives to 20
among the men Of our class and use
their influence to have the men re
turn TO work at once
have exhausted every effort to
reach an adjustment with the Shin
ping Board. | have no power to SIGN
the agreement of the adiustment
board, which would deprive the men
OF their constitutional rights. Being
deslrous of reaching conclusion
whereby a cessation of work is pre-
vented in the future, most resnect-
to Wnen | can meet you, as | feel this
IS the only way to solve the uues
ton
Sincerely and respectfully yours,
"WILLIAM L. HUTCHINSON.
President United brotherhood Of
Carpenters and Joiners Of America
After making public this rejoinder.
Mr.. Hutcheson kept to his room. re
n o..
Guerln, OF the general executive board
Of the United Brotherhood of Carpen-
ters and Jolners, explained the attitude
OF the union, however, and prepared to
send the 900 men believed to be on
STRIKE at the numerous yards about
New York back to their work.
IT may not be possible to reach all
OF these men IN time for them to begin
work tomorrow morning. but We will
reach them all by noon" he said.
Messages are being sent to all of the
officials Of the locals about the harbor
and | am sure that all of the strikers
Wall De at their work before the close
OF the day.
Says Men Are Patriotic
Our men are as patriotic as any
body of workers in the country. They
are heart and soul with the President
and the nation, and they want only
a square deal for themselves. Now
that the President has taken hand
in the matter | think they will be
satisfied to abide by the result"
While the orders now being issued
by the carpenters leaders only tenn
porarily heal the breach between them
and their employers. it was agreed
IN New York last night that the labor
crisis had passed and that there was
practically no prospect of general
strike, such as was expected TO have
occurred this morning in the absence
oi reply from President Wilson.
Expect Amicabie Adjustment
The big difference between the car
penters and the United States Shipping
Board has been the refusal Of the lead
ers of the carpenters organization TO
slgn the agreement TO abide hy any
decision that might be made bv the