The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-02-17
HUTCHINSON BIDS
WILSON TO TAKE
UP SHIP STRIKE
President Will Carefully In
vestigate Entire Situa.
ti0n Before Replying.
CARPENTERS ALONE OUT
GOmpers and Other Labor
Leaders in Conference at
the White House.
Special Despdsch to THE sr,S.


WAsHINoroN, Feb. 1s.-President Will
son is 70 take hand in the shipyard
labor situation and seek to bring TO an
end the strikes that are paralyz!ng this
most essential part OF the war pro-
gramme.
The Shipping Beard Ia opposed to con-
scription as a method OF solving the
problem, which has become a grave one.
Such a course will not be taken in the
present contingency, IL was definitely an
nounced to-day. 1t Is admitted. how
ever. that a more genera! strike or a
deliberate effort to block the Govern
ment war programme would put dlf-
ferent aspect on the situation.
William L. Hutcheson, president OF
the United Brotherhood OF Carpenters
and Joiners. wired President Wilson this
afternoon asking opportunity to explain
the shipyard strike situation. saying that
a solution could be quickly reached. The
President is not ye: prepared to answer
this telegram. He will make a definite
reply early next week. when he is ex-
pected to outline the part ne expects
labor to play In winning the war.
Gompers Sees President.
Samuel Goinpars, president Of the
American Federation o. Labor. accom-
panied by several leaders from New
England. conferred with the President
for half an hour or more late to-day
1t Is understood that the general labor
situation In the shipyards OF the country
was discussed.
1t is known here that leaders OF the
4 ne,
in sympathy with the fight that Is being
made by the carpenters. but Mr.. Hutche-
son asserted that he could rot prevent
the strikes and was poweress TO get
tho men to return to work withou, con-
cesaons.
The labor board Of the Emergency
Fleet Corporation announced to-day the
adoption OF new wage scale and work
ing agreement for all shipyards along
the Delaware River and those at Balti-
more.
The metal trades In the New York dis
trict have wired that they will not 70
on strike pending hearings and action
by the Labor Adjustment Board. Hear.
lngs ara 70 be besun in New York on
Marrh 4. Many Of the trades IN Balti.
more. where carpenters axe on strike,
have 3sked to be included in the Phila.
delphia agreement, anu they have been.
Carpenters Alone Affected.
Only the organizations afii!iated with
the United brotherhood Of Carpenters
and Joiners are affected by the strikes
ir New York and Baltimore OF the wood :
working shipmen. They are und.r the
leadership oe NJ, Hutcheson. who Vas
declined 10 sit with or arrange settle
ment with the Labor Adjustment BOA RI
unless il involves the concession OF q
closed shop. giving the union contro!
over employment OF men in all yards
affected.
The new Delaware Rive acale. To
which the men in this district and others
subscribing are pledged 10 abide, pro-
vides n wage scale for the carpenters OF
$3.50 day Mr. Hu'cheson has de-
manded tie Pacific coast scale which is
$50 with the Government bonus for :he
SIX day week.
Meyer Bloomfield. mead Of ;a- indus
trial service division of the Shipping
Board. asserted to-day that the draft
would not be used IA a labor con-
scription weapon at the prcsen, time
He vas supported in the statement uy
Chairman Hurley. whn said such meas
ures were not necessary and are con-
s!dered i'll advised