Evening journal., 1918-03-22
Tells HOW ENGLAND
MET LABOR PROBLEM
LContInued From TIrsL Pagel

tJOntnued FROM Ilr5t PdBeJ
wish 10 place ourselves IN an advisory
position. But II America can profit by
our mistakes in the war during the past
three and one-half years shall bo glad
to assist by telling OF our experiences
across the Atlantic"
He spoke Of national mistakes, and OF
mistakes In trade union policy, but he
Insisted that neither was independent
Of the other.
"England's problems are different
than yours be said III you were 20
ask me what Is the greatest, most press
ing, Immediate, need OF England, the
Allies. America. ! would say: ships,
ships even more shipsr I cannot EN-
phasize that point too strongly.
But while Englands problem Is most
ly that OF shipping the manufactured
product 10 the Continent, America has
the added problem Of her immense size
and scattered industries. That brings
IN the factor OF railroad transportation
Great Britain has added fifty per cent
10 the regular charges for railroad
transportation during the war, FOR the
purpose on discouraelng travelling, es-
pecally pleasure riding. The only ex-
ceptions 20 this rule are sh,pbuilders
who ride 20 and from work And theiI
most Of our rolling stock has been
shipped 10 France
zone OF Englands most cOlassal mis-
takes early in The war was In permit
ting most OF her best mechanics and
skilled craftsmen 90 enlist In the expe-
ditionary forces. We soon realized our
error and have called many thousands
OF such soldiers and returned them to
{ The shops and factories Even today
they are coming back from the trenches
and training camps. Several Of our in
duslries we consider so important that
we do not permit the enlistment Of
workers. A lad OF nineteen, provided he
/ has had two or three years experience
at his trade. is considered FAR too val
/ liable TO release from a shipyard for
the army
zone expedieni we tried was 10 eX-
ompt skilled workers and permit The
manufacturers 10 give our exemption
badges 70 the men they consider val
uahle This led 90 abuses, and we had
/ 10 abolish the practice Later we tried
10 have this done by the trade unions
instead, but this also led 10 an abuse
Ne found that the unions would hold
out the exemption certificate as an in
ducement 10 have men Join their unions
and we had TO abandon this method
also"
Mr.. Butterworih was reminded OF ihl
selectlve Service Act Of this country
and said The exemption of skilled me-
chanics and agricultural workers right
at the beginning Of the war would helr
solve this problem FOR America
lie favored the British agreement call.
Ing for suspension OF strikes durinc
war times. entered into between The
government and thirty-nve large unions
we agreed TO relinquish our righl
10 strike, which was a big concession.
he said, and IN return the government
gave us machinery for adjusting dis
putes. This consists OF the Committei
on Production. which sits daily Thh
board OF three, one a professional MAJ
and the other two representatives o
capital and labor, adjust disputes as Z
hours and wages. No dispute can b
adjusted while the men are on strike.
fact which dlscourages cessation q
- work"
Mr. ButterNNorth is much impress5
with the immensity OF this country an
with its industrial possibilities. lie ais
paid eloquent tribute to the loyalty q
American workingmen, and said he Ia
implicit faith In the sincerity Of on
war aims.
The union which he represents, hay
ing a national membership ~ 800N
q closely allied By trad agreement via
the Boilermakers' Society OF Great Brit
ain. . union Of 1000 members in Eng
. land. Scotland, ireland. Wales. The tw
comprise 20 per cent Of the shipyar'
industry.