New-York tribune., 1918-09-19
Only Emergencies Will JUS
tify Violation, Labor
Board Decision Holds
Moulders and Foundry
Men Win by Award
Effect of Adjudication Will
Be Farreaching, Says
F. P. Walsh

The foundation for an eight-hour
cay for all industrial workers in the
United States was laid yesterday in
an award announced by the War Labor
Board in the case of Local No. 364, of
the international Moulders' Union Of
North America, and the Foundrymen
of Wheeling, w. Va, and vicinity.
The award provides that the mould
crs not only shall have an eight hour
day basis, but that they positively
shall not work more than eight hours
day except in emergencies. What
constitutes an emergency, the award
states, shall be decided by a commit
tee of four, two members Of which
shall be appointed by the employer
and two by the workers.
The award was written by Chief
Justice Walter Clark of the Supreme
Court of North Carolina, one of ten
umpires appointed by President Will
son TO decide questions which cannot
be settled by unanimous vote of the
War Board. 1t is the first decision
prepared by any of the ten umpires.
Its effect will be felt. it is said, in
every industry in the country.
Far-Reaching Effect, Says Walsh
Commenting on the decision of JUS
dent of the War Labor Board with
former President William H. Taft, said
last night:
"The award rendered by Justice
Clark is a signal application in prac-
tice of the attitude of the government
toward the question of what const-
tutes proper working day.
THAT eight hours work in twenty
four is all that sho@lG be required of
human being has long been the ma
tional policy, and it has prevailed in
controlled by the government; but by
far the majority of workers in the
United States are employed by private
interests, and the benefit of the eight
hour principle has not always been
extended to them.
"Justice Clark's decision, which au-
tomatically becomes the award of the
National War Labor Board, is the first
great step in the application in fact
Of the national policy to industry in
general. and it will serve as strong
War Labor Board of future controver-
sizes.
Emergency Decision Important
"Of the utmost Importance to work.
eys in the United States is Justice
tlark's provision for democratic
rather than an arbitrary decision of
the question of emergency"
The award points out the conditions
under which moulders work, the nox-
lous fumes they inhale and other un-
healthful circumstances connected
with their labor. In conclusion it saws:
THE moulders employed by the
Wheeling Moulders and Foundry Com
pany, Wheeling. w. Va, shall not be
required or permitted to work more
than eight hours within any day of
twenty-four hours, except in cases of
emergency. and then under the follow
ing terms and conditions:
81. Overtime work shall be paid for
at the rate of time and one-half for
all hours worked in excess of eight
hours, with double time for SUNDAYS
and holidays.
Examiner to Hear Differences
"22 The question Of whether or not
an emergency exists, together with the
length Of time over which such an
emergency may extend, and the num-
Der of extra hours day, shall be de-
termlnod by agreement between the
management and the working moulders
IN the shop.
"3. For the purpose of effectuating
inc agreement mentioned in Paragraph
:, permanent committee of four per
sons is hereby created two of whom
shall be designated by the management
of the plant and two by the working
moulders In the shop. the assent of at
ieast three of whom shall be necessary
for permission to work more than
eight hours in any day of twenty-fo
hours.
Il. For the purpose Of securing
proper Interpretation of this award
the secretary of the National War La
Dor Board shall appoint an examiner,
who shall hear any differences arising
IN respect to the award between the
parties and promptly render his dcci-
SION, from which an appeal may be
taken by either party to the National
War Labor Board. Pending such ap-
peal. the decision of the examiner
shall be binding"