Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1918-01-12
Want HIGH WAGE
FOR ship BUILDERS
Men 70 be Offered Induce
mentS TO Work TO Limit
of Endurance
STRIKE DANGER
AGAIN DENIED

Liberal advances in wages for all
classes Of labor employed in the great
shipyards along the Delaware were
urged upon the National Shipbuildins
Adjustment Board yesterday by IN.
influential shipyard executives
This was one Of a number Of sugges-
tions advanced by shipyard owners
who were summoned before the board
at the Hotel Walton. Philadelphia, 10
lend their assistance in fixing a stan
dardized wage scale for the men en-
gagged in the building OF ships for
Uncle Sans navy and merchant
marine.
Every witness who took the stand
had some caustic criticism 10 make
concerning transportation facilities
near the plant he represented.
Another difficulty generally com
planned OF was inadequate housing IA
cilities George NJ Andrews repre-
senting the New York Shlpbuilding
Company, said his plant was seriously
In need Of 5000 or 1000 additional men,
and that IL was probable the work
would be delayed for the reason that
the workers would have no place 70
live II they came 90 Camden. He said
that at present there were only i've
available houses within O radius Of
six miles Of the plant. 4 similar COM
plant was msde by J. B. Weaver, rep
resenting the Harlan plant Of the Beth
lehem Steel Corporation
During the session j. Harry Null,
general manager OF the Cramp ship
building Company, warned the board
that shipbuildlng work on the Della
ware would be seriously hampered II
Hog Island continued 70 draw skilled
workmeh from the other plants along
the river
Mr.. Weaver was emphatic IN his as
sertion that high wages must be paid
II harmony is TO be maintained I'm the
yards during the war. Asked for any
suggestions he cared 10 make after me
had concluded his testimony, Mr. Weav-
err said:
LET me urge the board 10 be liberal
in fixing the new wage scale Let's pay
the highest OF wages. Offer the men
every inducement 10 work 10 the limit
OF their endurance. This Is no time 10
haegle over dollars and cents. II we
do. Wen lose the war. High wages Will
undoubtedly increase production.
Let me urge further that when the
new scale is established there be some
competent way OF maintaining il. We
cannot afford TO have disputes and dis
satisfaction az q time Ike this
Mr.. Weaver also approved a suggcs-
ton that the board arrange for future
hearings. say SIX months after the new
scale has been In ooraiion. so that II
I'm the meantime the cost OF living has
scared still higher additional revisions
Of the scale may be made.
Mr.. Weaver suggested that war NOV
| les be displayed where the shipyard
| employees can see them. He was asked
/ by V. Ercit Macy, chairman OF the
board. IT, In his opinion, the workmen
reahzed the Importance Of their work
I in the nations war program. Tie said
be thought the men in his plant did.
[ This ne attributed 90 war movies they
had been privileged TO sec i'm Philadel-
phia
Mr.. Andrews told the board OF dinl-
culties his company had experienced
with fOreign-born employees. Two OF
these had refused 10 flll out draft ques-
tionnslres, although they probably
would have been granted industrial eN-
/ emptions, he said. and were promptly
jailed
During Mr.. Viewers testimony a. j..
Berries, The board member representing
| the American Federation Of Labor
raised the question Of what constituted
a fair DAYS work for the men In the
yards. The witness said he did not be-
lieve any definite number of hours
could be fixed Considering the seri-
business Of the national crisis. he said
the men should be willing to work as
hard and as long as possible, especially
rs they are being paid overtime.
70 developed during the day that the
piece-work system is favored m and
near Philadelphia over the ddy-worL
plan which exists along the Pacific
coast. 70 was also learned that IN
an the big plants arrangements have
been made for the tutoring OF new
labor In the various essential tasks. II
was the opinion Of the board that
this idea should be developed 20 the
highest point so that there will be M
possibility OF a labor shortage, no mat.
ter how much more serious the crisis
may become.
Members OF the board denied vester.
day that there is any danger OF gen
ersl strike among the shipyard EN-
ploves along the Delaware There have
been instances'of dissatisfaction, 10 wa.
explained. but no trouble Of danger.
Gus character has been apparent.
Omcers Of the American international
/ shipbuilding Corporation said las
night that they had not encouraged
workmen 20 migrate from other plants
20 Hos Island.
I'VE have only taken men from Other
shipyards after their employers have
consented 90 our having them, SAID
an official.
Liberal increases in wages, such a,
Seere suggested by the Witnesses, would
not be an additional cost 70 the ship
yard owners. The Government would
be obliged to pay the difference, IN,
shipyards receiving the 20 per cent
profit over cost allowed by the wal
contracts.
GEORGETOWN p. q. :. or A. ELECTS
eporial 90 THE EVENING JOURNAL.