The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-22
MUNITTON STRIKE
ALARMS ENGLAND
A gitatOrs Challenge Govern
mcnt's Right to Equalizc
Distribution of Labor.
|. w. w. STIRS TROUBLE
Increasing Number of Work
men Taken for Army Adds
to Discomfort.

LONDON, July d. 81 The threatened
stoPpage- of work in certain munition
areas Is regarded as a serious menace
to one of the most vital efforts for the
pre- secution Of the war. The real issues
involved are very serious, although the
ostenslble reason for the strike Is that
the shop stewards, who represent the
worknen in dealings with the employers
regarding grievances and working con-
ditions. and who are backed by only
small proportion of all the workmen en-
gagged in the production Of munitions, re-
sent the Governments plan for the even
distribution OF skilled labor.
The trouble arose at Coventry, where
three firms manufacturing munitions
were notified by the Ministry of Num-
tions that they should not employ any
additional workmen. The purpose OF this
order. as officially explained, Is to pre-
vent certain firms from drawing WORK
men from other shops by offering
higher wages.
II this unrestricted bidding for the
services OF wo~kmen were continued the
, shops would have a superabundance OF
Ia Dor and others not enough, a cond!-
ton which would affect seriously the
steady output of munitions.
challenge to Government.
| There are unusual features to the
| situation. Labor troubles hitherto nave
! been between employers and workmen
| the present labor crisis Involves al
| rect challenge on the part OF certain
workrnen to the authority OF the GOV
ernment. which, under the Defence or
the Realm Act, has power to regulate
the conduct of national industries.
The employers are not involved in the
controversy, altt ough there is reason to
believe some OF them have been guilty OF
furthering for they own advantage the
| prolongation OF a state OF affairs which
gives them an excess OF skilled labor
which the necessities of the nation re-
quire should be employed elsewhere
The trade unions are concerned only IN
directly the principal organization In
| yolved that of the ma chinists, has ad-
vised its members to remain at work.
! TT ere is reason to believe that the
agents Of syndicalism and representa-
tives OF the /. w. w. are largely respon-
sible for promoting opposition to the
Governments attempt to distribute labor
| equally, following the dilution caused by
calling up additional skilled workmen for
the army.
| Newspapers show Alarm.
The newspapers take very serious
view of the situation, particularly IN
view OF the momentous happenings on
the battlefront pointing out ttat the
steady stream of munitions must be
! kept UP II the armies are to be Victori-
GUS that II is the duty Of labor to over
look minor grievances In the bigger pur-
pose OF contributing to the successful
prosecution of the war. and that at
present the workers are better off than
they ever have been before. as wages
| have risen faster than prices and food
difficulties are practically over while I'M
employment is unknown.
IN well Informed circles It Is said that
the syndicalsts. who have been active
in Coventry and have influence in some
other munition areas. are aiming not at
employers but at the state. and that
they are opening a political fight to
hasten the naturalization of the fac.
tories, as In the case OF the London Air
craft Works, which the Ministry Of Mu-
nitions had to take over recently: sec
ond. to impede tie war and force a
peace without victory third, to combine
all the workmen in challenge to the
| Government as a protest against going
on with the combing out process. which
is taking a certain percentage OF skilled
labor for tie army.
LONDON, July 2l,-The Ministry OF
Munitions announced tonight that II
| had received word that al mass meet
ing OF munition workers in Birmingham
to-day It was resolved to go on strike
Wednesday night unless the embargo on
| skilled labor is withdrawn. The state
ment saws the Ministry is in close touch