The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-02-15
Chairman Hurley Sends Tel
egram to Union Heads of
Various Trades
CALLS ATTENTION TO
DANGER OF DELAYS
Mothers and Fathers Who Are Civ
ing Sons Will Not Permit Men
to Quit Building
Vessels

Washington, February 14.--An urg-
emit call to striking carpenters and
joiners I'm eastern shipyardS to return
to work was issued tonight by Chair
| man Hurley, of the shipping board,
who sent telegram to union heads
declaring mothers and fathers giving
their sons to battle viii not long per-
init continued interference with the
shipbuiiding programme.
The telegram was inspired by reports
of strikes at yards in the vicinity OF
New York and at Baltimore. where the
men are demanding the wage scale re-
Gently granted for the Pacific coast of
$500 day. 1t went to w. L. Hutchinson.
general president of the carpenters. at
Indianapolis. and to union leaders in the
districts in which strikes have been
called.
Mr.. Hurley insisted the men go to
work pending an adjustment of their
grievances by the wage adjustment board.
which, within few days, will recon-
mend general wage scale for rs per
cent of the yards on the Atlantic coast
you Will be we'll advised" his tele-
gram declared. ito follow the methods of
well managed and patriotic labor organi-
cations. at least. until you have tested
whether or not your government. for
which as shipbuilders you are now work.
ing. can be fair"
HURLEY'S TELEGRAM
Mr.. Hurley's telegram follows:
mourning the loss of brave young Ameri-
cans in the Tuscania horror, while thou.
sands of American homes are anxiously
watching the lists of survivors slowly
coming in to make certain that another
precious life has been snatched from the
Atlantic ocean. telegram comes-and
with it the grim announcement that the
carpenters IN shipyards are now on
strike
Before any government agers is
given an opportunity to act, and despite
the good record OF our adjustment
boards promptness and fairness in deal
ing with all labor matters you attempt
to paralyze the shipbuildIng industry
at the port OF New York
do you realize that you are adding
to the fearful danger our soldiers al
ready face the danger of starvation and
the danger of slaughter Il food and am
munition are not sent over In ships and
in many ships at once? DO you think
the fathers and mothers whose sons are
making this sacrifice will sit patiently
by and permit this paralyzing OF the
life line between us and the western
front to go on?
FRIENDLY SUGGESTION
"will you take my friendly suggestion
and go back to work at once. The ma
chinery for dealing with all your de-
mands and with the right OF labor
is at hand. You will be well advised to
follow the methods of well managed and
patriotic labor organizations at least
until you have tested whether or not
YOUR government. for which as shipbuild-
ers you are working can be fair
II advise you to er-d the paralyzing
OF the shipyard work now. am sure
you would not deliberately imperil the
lives and safety OF brave fellow-citlzens
am sure you believe with me that
those whose sons are now giving their
blood that you and and our children
may be safe and free will not long per-
nit either you or me to invite destruc-
tfon OF heroic lives and disaster to
great world cause"