The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-01-05
INDUSTRIAL AND ECONOMIC

Industrial unrest was apparent in
the United States throughout 1917,
largely as a result of war conditions
and in spite of efforts made by the
government, aided by leaders Of organ
lied labor, TO prevent strikes which
would delay the nations war prepara-
tions
Early in the year a nationwide
strike of the skilled railroad employees,
which had been averted in 1916 by the
passage of the Adamson law, providing
indirectly for an increase in wages,
was again threatened, owing to the
fact that the placing of the Adamson
law in operation was delayed pending
q decision by the United States Su-
preme court on its validity. The
threatened strike was averted March
Is by the capitulatiOn of the railroad
managers. On the following day the
United States Supreme court handed
down a decision holding the Adamson
law constitutional
Serious troubles were precipitated in
the Arizona copper fields July when
the miners struck. Disorders were re-
ported from several points and on
July ID the people Of Bigbee, Ariz-, de-
ported 100 members Of the Industrial
Workers of the World, who it was
charged had fOmented the strikes in
the copper mines. On July 81, 81 I.
w. W. leaders were depOrted from
Gallup, n. NJ. On August /, Frank Lit
tie, l. w. W. leader, who had been
prominent in the Arizona troubles, was
lynched at Butte, Mont, where he had
xn ro1- RI in a SFrfl-c Of
and where he was alleged to have
made speeches attacking the govern
ment.
a serious tie-up of all shipbuilding
plants in the country was threatened
in August and September. Machinists
and boilermakers in Eastern ship
yards went on strike August 81 and
5000 skilled mechanics and other
workmen struck in San Francisco Sep
TENDER II. On September 20, Presi-
dent Wilson named a commission,
headed by Secretary of Labor Wilson
and representing both employers and
employees, to act as his personal rep
resentatives in allaying labor troubles
during the war. The strike in the San
Francisco shipyards was ended Sep
TENDER 26 through the efforts of the
government mediatOrs.
Leaders of organized labor in the
United States took a decided stand
throughout the year In support of the
government preparations for war and
against antiwar propaganda At the
annual meeting Of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor in Buffalo in NOvem-
Der, union labor pledged its solid sup
port to the government in the prosecu-
ton Of the war.
The railroads of the country faced
another crisis during the closing
months of the year when demands
were made by the four brotherhoods
for wage increases averaging 40 per
cent, affecting, directly and indirectly,
approximately 100000 railroad en-
ployees.
Labor troubles Of the year were
closely allied with economic develop
ments. growing out of the increased
cost of living in the United States. In
order to prevent further Increases IN
prices government regulation OF many
industries was undertaken as a war
measure. On May 10, President VIII
son selected Herbert G. Hoover, chair
man of the Belgian relief commission.
as head of a food control board, and
later. on August IL. following the pass
age by congress of food-control bill.
Mr. Hoover was made food admins
traitor. On August 81, President Will
son issued an order fixing the basic
prices for bituminous coal IN the pro-
ducing districts OF the country. On
August .. President Wilson appointed
|
/ for the United States. On August 80
| the United States wheat committee
fixed the basic price for the 1917 crop
at $3.50 busheI.
@A"-A-A