The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-02-16
HUTCHINSON HELPLESS
Says He Cannot Influence
His Men Unless COnces-
siOns Are Made.
CLOSED SHOP REAL ISSUE
Chairman Of Shipping Board
Again Urges Men to Trust
in the Government.
Special Despdtch to THE Snv.

Special Despdtch to THE SuS.
WASHINGTON. Feb l5.-W. l.. HutchA
eson, president Of the United Brothsrs
hood Of Carpenters and Joiners Of Amsrs
lea, told Il. N. Hurley. chairman Of the
Shipping Board, to-day that no was pow
erless to prevent strikes by carpenters
in shipyards and that he could not ina
fuence the strikers to return to work
without concessions. These concessions,
embodied in a proposal submitted several
days ago. the Shipping Board Is not pre-
pared to grant
Instead of concessions Mr.. Hutcheson's
letter drew hot retort from Chairman
Hurley, who took him sharply to task on
labors pledges. asking him II he did or
Grafton of Labor. Mr.. Hutcheson also
was told that his efforts toward settle-
mcnt constituted demand for special
privileges for his organization that would
discriminate against others.
Chairman Hurley again asked Mr..
HutchesOn to order rho carpenters back
to work and to trust their Government.
through the labor adjustment board. to
deal fairly with them as with every
other group OF workers"
President Closely Watching.
The serious situation in the shipyards
and virtual defiance of the Shipping
Board by Mr.. Hutcheson. it became
known Tonight, are attracting the attsn-
ton Of President Wilson, who is follow.
ing every detail and condition as It
develops.
The principal demands made in Mr..
Hutcheson's proposal were for closed
union shop in all the shipyards. so far
as carpenters were concerned. and for
national wage scale OF $3.50 day
for all forms Of carpenter work, $40 a
day FOR calke,s and 1910 day for
laborers. This wage was for an eight
hour day with Saturday half holidays
during tho summer. The eight hours
were to be made between a. NJ and
+. NJ. otherwise s per cent addi-
tional' was asked.
In addition double time was de-
nanded for holidays and Sundays and
for Saturday half holidays, with no work
on Labor Day. 1t also provided that
$3.50 day expenses was to be paid
to all men who eft laeir homo towns
to go to shipyards from the time they
left home until they returned nome.
The shipping Board is opposed TO a
national wage scale which would resul.
from a minimum wage for all yards. IL
believes wages should be settled on the
basis of cost of living and conditions in
the various localities and the labor ad.
juStment board has worked to this end.
This policy is pursued by the army and
navy in regard 10 arsenals and navy
yards. Wages are fixed for each local.
! ity.
Mr. Hut heson, "a representative OF
the carpenters, has been invited to Join
, the labor adjustment board. but has de-
clined. basing his declination upon tho
fixing by the board of working condl-
tons, He insists that the United Broth
| erhood Of Carpenters and Joners furnish
all workers. guaranteeing all OF the
skilled men needed.
Mr. Hutcheson's statement Of lack Of
control oc the striking unions in exist
ing circumstances was made In reply to
:hc telegram; sen; him by Chairman
Hurley yesterday, In II he said.
In reply to your telegram. beg N
| inform you that / have .ndeavored to
my utmost to prevent the cessation Of
work being done by members OF our or
ganization on ships under construction
for tho United States shipping Board,
and now that they have ceased work Il
| Will be- impossible for us to influence
them to return unless l have some
definite proposition to give them pertain
| Ing to their working conditions
He said the carpenters We're patriotic
and loyal citizens aud had purchased
millions in Liberty bonds and offered
| again the wage AMI closed shop proposal.
! Hurley. Pointed Question.
| Nv Uurlcv'S replv follows,
| Yours of the ltth received You
| We're present ~ the convention Of the
| American Federation OF Labor IN Buffalo
/ OH Friday, November %, when by "a
unanimous vote "A resolution was adopted
stating that it il necessary to the ma :
| tion's protection as we'll as to the well
| fare OF tho trade union movement that
! there should he no cessation of work
except as n last resort and after due
! hearings DO YOU or do you not approva
| of this position to-day You state: I
| have "ndsavorcd 10 my utmost 10 pre-
vent cessation OF work hclug done by
IN mhcrs of our organization on ships
| The facts are AS follows; ON August
, 20 last nn agrecnon, was signed by Mr..
| Roosevelt as Acting secretary of tina
| Navy, by myself IA chairman of the
! United states Sh,rptnr Board. Admiral
CaUps. general manager Of the Emer-
gency Fleet Corporation: Mr.. Gompers
as president of the American Fedora
tion Of Labor, and by fourteen repre-
sentatv5s OF organized labor. mainly in
| ternational presidents. whose members
are employed IN the construction OF
| ships
| IIutrhcsOn sole ExceptiOn.
"tnder this agreement = board was
! established COMPOSED Of "a representa-
| ,r - n.
! Emergency Fleet Corporation, u repre-
sentative OF organized labor appointed
| by Mr.. Gompers and the chairman
of the board appointed by the Pr Ssident
OF the United States The agreement
provided that all disputes AZ to wages,
hours and conditions Of employment
should be submitted Ia this hoard for
settlement The oiiicial positions Of the