The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1918-01-02
INDUSTRIAL AND ECONOMIC

Industrial unrest was apparent In
the United States throughout 1911
largely as a result of war conditions
and In spite of efforts made by the
government, aided by leaders of organ
iZ,d labor, to prevent strikes which
would delay the nations war prepara-
lions.
Early in the year nationwide
strike of The skilled railroad employees,
which had been avcrted In 1916 by the
passage of the Adamson law, providing
Indirectly for an increase in wages
was again threatened. owing to thu
fact that the placing of the Adamsor
law In operation was delayed pending
decision by the United States Su
preme court on its validity. The
threatened strike was averted March
IS by the equalization of the railroad
managers. ON the following day the
United States Supreme court handed
iOwn n decision holding the Adamson
law constitutional.
Serious troubles were precipitated in
the Arizona copper fields July l when
the miners struck. sOrders were re-
ported from several points and on
July IL the people of Bigbee. Ariz., de-
ported 200 members of the Industrial
Workers of the World. who 1t was
charged had fomented the strikes In
the copper mines. on July 81, 81 l..
w. w. leaders were deported from
Gallup, n. NJ. On August l. Frank Lit
tie, I. w. w. leader. who had been
prominent in the Arizona troubles, was
lynched ut Butte, Mont. where he had
gone to take part in a strike Of miners
and where he was alleged to have
made speeches attacking the govern
ment.
A serious tle-up OF all shipbuilding
plants In the country was threatened
In August and September. Machinists
and boilermakers In Eastern ship
yards went on strike August 81 and
5000 skilled mechanics and other
workmen struck In San Francisco Sep
TENDER II. On September 20. Presi-
lent Wilson named commission,
headed by Secretary of Labor Wilson
and representing both employers and
employees. to act as his personal rep
III ing
turing the war. The strike in the San
francisco shipyards was ended Sep
ember &c through the efforts of the
government mediators.
Leaders of organized labor in the
United States took a decided stand
throughout the year In support of the
government preparations for war and
lgninst antiwar propaganda. At the
annual meeting of the American Fed
eration of Labor in Buffalo in Novem-
her. union labor pledged Its solid sup
port to the government In the prosecu-
iinn of the war.
The railroads of the country faced
another crisis during the closing
months of the year when demands
were made by the four brotherhoods
for wage increases averaging 40 per
cent. affecting, directly and Indirectly,
approximately 100000 railroad EN-.
ployees.
Labor troubles of the year were
closely allied with economic develop
ments. growing out of the Increased
cost Of living in the United States. In
order to prevent further Increases In
prices government regulation Of many
industries was undertaken as u war
measure. On May 10. PRESIDENT W.
son selected Herbert L. Hoover. chair
man of the Belgian relief commission.
as head of food control board. and
later, ON August IL. following the pass
age by congress of u food-cOntrol bill.
Mr.. Hoover was made food admins
traitor. on August II, President VIII
son issued an order fixing the basic
prices for bituminous coal in the PRO
ducing districts of the country. On
August %. President Wilson appointed
DIR. II. A. Garfield fuel administrators
for the United States. On August 30
the United States wheat committee
fixed the basic price for the 1917 crop
ut $40 brshel.