The Washington herald., 1918-03-27

patriotism. With only one eXcep-
! tion, the leaders of the shipyard
crafts generally have shown a spirit
of cooperation, ready to sink their
personal differences in the common
, pool of patriotism.
We have established a labor adjust
ment board whose complete fairness
, cannot be questioned. The scale OF
wages awarded by this board has
been most liberal. We have not
! blamed labor for the reduced average
output in various yards. There are
| some labor restrictions which we
would like to see removed--restric-
| tons against output We would like
| TO see the whole body OF labor put
forth its maximum effort. encouraC-
| ing each Individual workman to do
| his best, without any fear of estab-
fishing new average standards when
they increase the output. When all
the leaders and all the men take this
view of the national emergency, the
efficiency OF all the yards will be
measUrably increased.
/ There have been inefficient shipyard
| owners, as well as inefficient work
men. Where there is an inefficient
| owner who does not understand the
viewpoint of labor and who thinks
only OF his profits, labor has a right
to complain. In the speed which was
necessary in the early days, when the
plans were being made and the first
contracts were being let. some Of the
| work was given to men who have not
proved their ability to get results,
As we have strengthened our con-
tracts. and distributed the work with
greater deliberation and care. we
have likewise had in mind the weed
ing out of the employers who are not
| getting the results which experience
has shown US we should get from eff
! cient men. We intend to know what
the costs and the profits are in every
yard. We feel that the public is en-
titled TO this information.
| We have felt that it was our duty
to see to it that the problem of hous-
ing the workmen in these vast new
| plants we have been creating was
solved with care. We have not rush
ed into this work with closed eyes.
| Our duty Is, to guard the public e&-
penditures: to see to it that there is
no abuse of the liberality OF Congress
in the matter of appropriations. Every
dollar expended must bring a dollar S
worth of return to the government
The cost-plus system has been ban
ned by Congress in the housing opera
| tions, because Congress itself, as well
| as the rest Of US, have felt that there
should be a greater check, not merely
! upon profits, but upon the actual cost
of all work done for the government.
The Making of Skilled Mechanics.
The new yards have been establish
ed, wherever possible. away from the
congested districts, and while this
was necessary, 1t brought with 1t the
| problem of transportation, as well as
| of housing. We are arranging now
| for proper transportation, as we'll as
| for proper housing.
Training of new workmen for the
yards has, in itself, proved a difficult
task, but We are accomplishing it.
| We have established a large training
school at Newport News to. which 2I7
| skilled mechanics, selected from twen-
| ty-two yards. have been detailed for
| a six weeks course Of intensive train
| ing. to fit them as instructors for re-
| cruits brought into the various ship
yards. Our latest report shows that
115 Of these have completed the course
| and have been sent out as instructors.
These men represent sixteen trades.
The men. who are taking this instruc-
ton course will be capable of training
an Industrial army of $1,000 men. A
department for training electric weld
ers has also been established. -
We have recruited volunteer force
Of $4,000 highly skilled mechanics who
have, with. a patriotism that has made
us all proud, agreed to hold them
selves in readiness for our call.
These men are being held in reserve,
remaining in their present employment
until such time as in the development
OF our yards the demand arises fol-
their services.
As a further evidence Of the organi-
zation which has already been effect