South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-16
DRASTIC ACTION
IS CONSIDERED
To Be CERTAIN
ShipyardS Strike Situation
Takes Whole Attention of
Congress, PreS't Wilson
and His Advisors.
InternationaI Ncvs service

international News Service.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 16.-The
labor situation throughout the
United States is most serious today.
Centering as j. is in the striking
ship workers the discomfort has
spread until it affects many other
industries which are closely aiIel
with the national defense plans The
very success of Americas part in
the world war is today imperiled.
officials say. Immediate and drastic
action is considered certain and the
situation is such that "a united con-
gress. Pres't Wilson and all OF his
advisors are giving IL their personal
attention.
Take over Negotiations.
The joint commission of 10 made
up OF five from the national couu-
ell for industrial safety and nye
from the American Federation II
Labor took over negotiations tO end
the shipbuilding trouble early to-
day. They are I'm direct communica-
ton with heads of the various orr
/ ganizations which ordered the pres
ent strike from New York last night
/ This strike, ordered by the eNecn-
( tive committee OF the marine wood
workers council OF the United
+ brotherhood Of Carpenters and
/ Joiners directed every carpenter
/ caIker. rigger. stair maker and boat
builder carrying a card I'm the carr
/ penters' union 20 quit work until
satisfactory wage scale and working
conditions agreement had been
reached.
The strike order came as a com
/ plete surprise 10 the shippins board.
[ Chairman Edward y. Hurley wired
directly 10 William L. HutcheeOl.
/ president Of the carpenter. asking
him 10 stop the strike. bat the latter
replied that while. personally he
| had opposed extreme measures 80
long as there was chance OF reach
ing an agreement, the situation was
| beyond him and was in The hanis
/ Of the executive committee which
/ had directed the men 20 quit wOrh.
Facts Before Wilson.
All Of the facts in the case were
before Pres't wilson today. He had
directed Sec'y OF Labor Wilson and
6
BILE steps 10 end the trou ble The
department was indirect cOmmuul-
cation with the various plants where
/ trouble was in evidence seeking 20
prevent any further spread of the
strike Members of the executive
council Of the American Federation
/ Of Labor who have been in session
here for the last week also were
| watching closely 10 see what must
I be done
The department of labor has mann
4 ed a commission OF DO. lut am
nouncement of those selected was
delayed early today pending receipt
| Of word from these men whether
they would accept.
Meanwhile the president has had
I before him for some DAYS o. COM
pIete report OF INVESTIGATIONS made
I Of working conditions throuEhout
I the shipping industry and "a tenta-
\ tive proclamation fixing hours ~
/ labor and compensation. He has
/ been asked by Chairman Hurl-y
/ Of the shipping board. % issue fn
/ executive edict fixing all of the
questions in dispute and 0rder-u-
ali OF the strikers back % work
Ancient Dispute Back of Az.
Behind the entire trouble. hove
/ ever. Is the ancient dispute between
/ capital and labor. The leaders ~
/ organized labor have insisted that
I they were willing at al times -
play fair with the government
They assert h0werer. that tha Ea-
/ tional Association OF Manufacture
1 has taken advantage ~ war time
+ conditions 20 inauEurate another at
/ its campaigns no crush union orr
/ ganizations 10 is the National assoc
I citation. they SAY. and certain other
/ organizations Of employers who are
/ behind the general plan to cousCrlpt
/ labor. These men. the union IeaI-
ers who have been here iu Wash
i ington for more than "a month dis
cussing industrial conditions with
officials charge have spread di-co.-
I tent in many industries by their
/ charges that all labor disputes are
/ pro-German iu their origin The
/ pro-Germanism charge. officials y
I the American Federation assert. .-
! IN many instances launched in a.
I effort % Increase sentiment ln favor
/ OF conscriptien OF labor.
Oppose Con-Cription
Il was because of thie belief thar
/ the federation through Prest SAM
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