The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-02-19
SHIP STRIKE OFF
ASCARPENTERS
WAIT THE TEST
Head Of Bnion Gives No
Sign of Waving Demand
for Closed Shop.
OTHER CRAFTS WILLING
Shutdown Of Inland Industries
Likely IL the Walkouts
Continue.
OTHER CRAFTS WILLING
Specie, Despdtch to TIE suS.


WASHINGTON. Feb. 1s.-Settlement Of
| the shipyard labor situation which
brought a series Of strikes in Eastern
yards extending from New York to
Baltimore depends largely on the action
OF William l.. Hutcheson. president Of
the United Brotherhood Of Carpenters
and Joiners. when he reaches Washing
ton tomorrow.
Strikes and incipient walkouts in tho
Eastern yards &ere called OF to-day BY
Mr.. IIutcheson and his lieutenants
urging the men to leave the matter In
the hands OF the President, but tho orig
inal point OF cleavage between Mr..
Hutcheson and the labor adjustment
bureau Of the Shipping Board-the aues-
tion OF q closed shop-remains for set
Element.
The carpenters have not signihed any
willingness to leave the matter in the
hands Of the labor adjustment bureau.
The bureau is in a receptive mood. but
has heard nothing directly or indirectly
from the carpenters.
Intentlon Not signiAed.
President Wilson made 1t plain in his
telegram to Mr.. Hutcheson on Sunday
that he would not see him while the
men were on strike. With the prospect
that the men will be back at work in
the morning Mr.. Hutcheson IL coming to
Washington tomorrow. So far as
known he has no appointment at the
White House and the President contem-
plates no further action at this time in
rega. to the shipyard strikes,
ThA prAaidApt IA 4, niy feleQ N that
the carpenters should accept the prirci-
pie accepted by the other leaders OF or
ganixed labor. The other international
unions having craftsmen in the ship
yards have left the question OF hours.
wages and working conditions in the
hands OF the Labor Adjustment Board.
Mr.. Hutcheson has no; yet signifled his
intention Of following this course.
In past conferences with tho board
and with Chairman Hurley Of the Ship
ping Board no was willing that the
board ehould Ak the hours and wages.
but insisted that working conditions he
le8t In control ef the union. His pro-
'posala constituted Q demand for . closed
shop. and 10 far as Is known officially
they have not been altered. oettlement
Of the cArponters' strike through the po-
tency Of the telegram sent to Mr.. Hutch
eson by the President apparently has
not settled the labor situation. which has
been causing more concern in Washing
ton than the sporadic strikes that tenn
porarily tied up work in several yards.
May Extend Delaware Scale.
1t was reported to-day that the Della
ware River wage settlement Of the La
Dor Adjustment Board was to be ex-
tended to the yards In the New York dis
%ric ~
board. said, however, that no request
for such action had been received. Such
a course IS possible, he said, and the
board will be glad to consider 1t il the
men signify that II Is acceptable to
them. In any event no acton. he said.
would be taken until the opinions Of the
employers Of these yards have been as
certained.
The Labor Adjustment Board is will
ing to have the Delaware River scale
made the basis of negotiations when It
begins hearings in New York March
with q view to the PRONUNCIATION of
teen crafts in the steel and wood yards
in and about New York have agreed to
await and accept the findings Of the
board. The carpenters are not included
In this number.
HutchesOM OverruIed His Aid.
The Carpenters Brotherhood. 1t was
brought out tonight. was made party
to the creation Of the Adjustment. Board
by the signature OF its vice-presidert,
but Hutcheson overruled his subordi-
Mates action. This fact, according to
Mr.. Macy is causing the present trouble
at Seattle, where carpenters are try
ing to enforce a closed shop. All car
penters in the Western yards agreed to
the Pacific coast wage award, Mr.. Macy
said, until they learned recently that
Hutcheson had repudiated It.
William Biackman, director Of labor
for the Emergency Fleet Corporation.
In a public statement to-day said the
welfare of all labor was at stake In the
shipysrds of the country. He pointed
out that limitation OF exports as a
military measure and curtsilment Of all
lines OF industry because of lack Of ocean
TRANSPORTATION inevitably would result
In shutdowns that would have seri-
ous effect on the 100000 labor men
engaged in factories Of tho country
Mr.. Blackman's statement. which was
given out by the Shipping Board. says
the war can be won by the construction
BY tho United States and her allies Of
s,80o,0o0 tons Of shipping. The Ship
ping Board estimate Of American con-
struction Is for 5000. 900 tons In 1918.
and this cannot be turned out unless
shipyards are speeded up and strikes
brought to an end. Mr.. Blackman Gays
that s,So0,0 tons Of shipping not only
will overcome submarine losses, but will
leave the necessary margin to care for
the TRANSPORTATION OF 100000 American
troops and supplies overseas.
Heart OF Labor Threatened.
ut is only through shipyard labor"
Mr.. Blackman said. that relief to labor
throughout the country can come.
Therefore. uncalled for striksS not only
threaten the safety OF our armies In
France, but the very heart OF labor it,
seis, through the reduction OF employ
ment which 10 faced by millions Of men
not engaged directly In shipyard work.
"For this reason a shipyard strike is
in effect lockout. aimed at all labor In
the country and threatens the very life
Of organized labor itself.
"On the shipyard workers depends the
ability OF other labor to obtain steady
employment. II group OF sliipyard
workers tie up the shipyards or fail to
give q full days work. not only will the
resulting stoppage Of each mans work
throw them out Of employment. but this
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