The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-02-16
THOUSANDS Of
WORKERS STRIKE
Many Ships Being Built for
War Work by Government
Are Tied up by Walk
out.
PATRIOTIC PLEA FAILS
Wood Workers Union Agents Calling
Out Men In Forty Ship
Yards as Fast az
Possible.
PATRIOTIC PLEA FAILS

UNITED Press Leased Wire service.l
NEW YORK, Feb. 16.-As fast as
the men can be called from their work
by agents Of the marine wood workers
union. ship yards in the district OF the
port OF New York are being denuded
OF their wood workers.
Forty ship yards had been visited
at ten o'clock this morning, according
to John Stuart, secretary of the union.
and between 5000 and 1000 men had
laid down their tools.
The men, according to Stuart, ask
only that tho government give consid-
Grafton to demands made some time
ago. These have been ignored SO long.
they declare. that the only way to get
action is to strike. Stuart expressed
the belief that whenever the govern
ment indicates its readiness to con-
slider these demands, the men will re-
turn to their work.
There are about seventy ship yards
Of all sizes In this district. All are
working on government contracts.
This strike ties up work on many
ships.
A hope that a patriotic plea to the
men by Chairman Hurley Of the ship
ping board would save the situation
and stave of action, failed today, ap-
parently, when the wood workers
walked out.
President Hutchenson Of the United
Brotherhood Of Carpenters and Joint
ers, in the city, received a telegram
from Hurley asking delay. but was un-
able to act.
Put Then, into Army.
WASHINGTON Feb. 16.-Strihng
ship yard workers, who were granted
draft exemption because of their
work will be put in the army II the
walkout continues, officials OF Pro
vost Marshal General CrowdeT's Of
else said today.
Many men of class one were given
deferred exemption to work on ships
with the specific provision they
should be put back in class one when
they quit work on ships.
Draft officials were uncertain as to
when such action would be taken, but
agreed that 1t would be the course OF
the war department. should the walk
out be long drawn out affair." In
formation Is being compiled as to
how many of the striking carpenters
such action would affect
President to Make Plea.
IBy Robert ]. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON Feb. 16.-As the
wallxout of wood workers in eastern
ship yards grew rapidly today, Presi-
dent Wilson prepared a definite
proposal to end the strike.
The president Is expected to drive
at the heart of the trouble and ap-
peal to the loyalty OF the men IN get
ting them back to work while the
government gets. its program for ship
workers ON a working basis. Appeals
by Chairman Hurley and others have
proved futile and all agree that So
luton can be brought by the presi
dent alone. There will be no con-
scription of labor now, 1t Is learned
definitely.
Threats by wood workers that they
would be joined in foTty-eight hours
by from GO, 900 to 900 iron wor hers
were met with unconcern by shipping
board heads. All ship building trades,
with the single exception OF the wood
workers and including the iron work
ers 1t was pointed out. are under
iron clad agreement with the govern
n,ent to submit all controversies to
arbitration Baltimore iron workers
assured the government today they
would hold fast to the agreement.
The wood workers strike, 1t was
stated today, came out OF cieaI
sky following refusal of the ship
ping board to concede an uncondition'
al Closed shop The shipping board
according to William Blackman, chiel
of the labor adjustment division
| a greed to mediate hours and wages
hut insisted also on mediation Of
conditions principal OF which was
the closed shop demand.
| The workers refused point blank tc
submit conditions to arbitration
! Admiral Piez, Chairman Hurley ant
Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Roosevelt went into conference today
to determine what should be done
Immediately.
! Discontent of 1abor-becoming more
and more widespread-is due primar
lily it's leaders declare, to inef1cienc,