The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-02-15
SHIP STRIKES
SPREAD; MEN
PUT IN DRAFT
Richmond Exemption Board
Acts as Carpenters Else
where Walk Out.
$4,000 MAY QUIT TO-DAY
----.-----------
Two Big Plants in Baltimore
Cripplcd--lIurley Sounds
a Warning.
$4,000 MAY QUIT TO-DAY

ship workers in plants reaching along
the Atlantic coast threatened last
, nigh; 10 s3agnate the shipping pro-
granrme uy a general walkout. From
New York TO Baltimore bulletins OF
shipyard strikes came In staccato pro-
cession. 1t Is apparent that the temper
Of the ship workers throughout this sec
tion. growing In spasmodlc strikes dur
ing the winter. is now thoroughl.
aroused. The greatest labor leaders in
the country will be called on to rescue
the shipping programme from the crisis.
In Richmond Borough where 1900
men are out at four plants. the local
exemption board transferred all strikers
from deferred classification to Glass l
and ordered them to report to-day for
physical examination.
Baltimore was the seetLing centre last
night for alarmed meetings of shipyard
owners engaged on Government con-
tracts. They came from Philadelphia.
New York and intervening points. meet
ing at Hotel Emerson. and after hours
OF conference sent an urgent appeal TO
the United states Shipping Board to
take the situation in hand
No Demands In baltimore.
Reports from Baltimore state that the
Bethlehem Steel Company at Sparrows
Point is practically crippled in the ship
carpenter department by a walkout that
came without warning and Wtthout
notice from union leaders. But last
night the labor men stated they had re-
ceived orders to walk out. The Balti-
1T ltvD
pany at Locust Point is similarly af-
fected.
In neither OF these plants. which are
the largest located in the Baltimore dis
tric,, was any reason ascr!bed for the
failure d the men to appear for work.
No formal demands OF any kind were
made on the owners. 1t Is believed the
situation has arisen over the failure OF
the union leaders and the Federal Wage
Adjustment Board. Of which v. Evsrit
Macy is chairman. TO reach an agree
ment over waGA sdsanccs a g-s,7
$4,000 May strik. Here.
In the New York district strike
of $4,000 workers in all depart
ments Of shipyards IL threatened
to-day in statement made BY
John Stewart. secretary OF the Ma
rine Wood Workers Council. in the event
OF fsi!ure Of the present negotiations at
Washington arising out Of the strike OF
shin carpenters at the four plants in
Richmond borough. In sympathy with
the carpenters. sh'pwrights. joners.
builders and caulkers were ordered by
the labor leaders after a conference last
night to he ready for general strike
This would tie UP sixty shipyards In the
metropolitan district
NO.
Yesterday all along the Atlantic sea-
board where most OF the Governments q
ships for immediate war purposes are
being constructed. is believed to have
been smouldering since December "a.
Previous to that time strikes In ship
yards were recurrent In all parts OF the
country. but the agreement was then
made to submit disputes to the wage
adjustment committee
1--WE have been waiting for action and
we arc tired OF waiting" said Mr.. Stew
art yesterday. "A strike movement has
been begun and we are all on the verge
Of quitting. The movement will sweep
the coast"
speedy Decision Dema nded.
Resolutions adopted by the loca,
marine union leaders yesterda.' called
upon the President to take a hand in
adjusting the wages difficulty and 10
give the union leaders a fair hearing at
Washington. The alternative was q
general strike to-day.
The union men charge In these resolu-
tons that representatives OF the ship
yard mechanics have been assured sew
eral times by sh.pyard owners that Gov
arnment officials would come to New
York to take up the matter at first hand.
These promises have not been kept. 1t Is
stated. Samuel Gompers. president Of
the American Federation OF Labor. and
other representatives of labor have also
tried to effect an agreement. and their
efforts have been unsuccessful. The reso-
luton says:
I'VE therefore resolve. as members OF
the shipbuilding 1ustry In the various
yards doing work for the Government.
that unless our national president or
orr REPRESENTATIVES are requested to step
IN and inset with representatives of the
Government or employees to settle or re-
adjust .re wage conditions Of the Port
OF New York satisfactorily to the men.
In proportion with the differences In the
increa sed cost OF living. that We shall
upon February Is, 1918. refuse to con-
ttnue work until this matter Is adjusted
Hurley - Notified.
Somewhat unnecessarily ,he resoiu.
tiops also stated that I'VE are prepared
10 show our patriotism to the Govern
ment and give Of our best to build the
ships necessary"
Chairman Hurley OF the Shipping
Board was notified of the actions OF tho
local unions. lie attempted at once to
get in communication with Samuel
Gompers. An announcement is expected
early Today from Washington Of tho
Shipping Board's decision.
Tho union argument that Ia being
used to foster the strikes up and down
the coaat Ia involved partly with the
failure of Government representa- tives
to accord full recognition to the unions.
and more directly with the fact that
since the blanket agreement In Decem.
bsr no action ON wage adjustment has
been taken.
1t was said here that the "satisfac-
tory" wage conditions demanded are q
e5 per cent. increase. Tho union leaders
have figured out that the cost Of Twins
has Increased by that much since the
last general increase In the shipping
trades was effective. In some cases. the