The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-16
More Than 5000 WOOdwOrkers
Joined WalkOut Today.
Half Ship Builders in n. \.
Have Laid Down Tools.
UNION APPEALS TO WILSON
Carpenters, Who Started 1t, Ask
President To Intervene.
Patriotic Appeal of Hurley
Fails To Move WOrkmen.

New York Feb. 16.-AS faSt as the
men can be called from their work by
agents of the Marine Wood Workers
union, shipyards in the district of the
port of New York are being denuded
of the wood workers.
Forty shipyards had been visited at
10 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 the government give con-
sideration 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 ex-
government indicates its readiness to
consider these demands, the men Will
return to their work.
Seventy Yards in District.
There are about seventy shipyards
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 off action failed today ap-
rarently when the wood workers
walked out. President Hutchinson OF
the United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners in the city, received tele-
gram from Hurley asking delay, but
said he was unable to act.
Union Appeals to Wilson.
New York, Feb. 16.-An appeal di-
rect to President Wilson to intervene
in the strike of shipyards' workers en-,
gaged on government contracts Will
be made today " the United Brother
hooc of Carpenters and Joiners, it was
announced by officials of the organiza-
ton here this morning.
Approximately SO per cent of the
ship yard workers in the New York
district are on strike today, according
to claims made by the brotherhood
officials. including T. M. Guerin, MEM
be- of the executive committee.
The appeal to the president, Mr..
Guerin said, would suggest a compro-
mise similar to that which was effect
ed last October between the govern
ment and the navy yard carpenters
who were then threatening to strike.
Would Compromise on $3.50 a Day.
At that time the navy yard workers
wanted $3.50 a day, similar to the
wage which shipyard workers are re-
ceiving on the Pacific coast today.
Secretary Daniels and Assistant Secre-
tary Roosevelt called heads of the car
penters union into conference at
Washington, Mr.. Guerin said, and an
agreement was reached fixing an
eight-hour day, a wage of Sass, a 5
per cent bonus under certain condi-
tions and two weeks vacation and all
holidays with pay-equivalent in all to
$3.50 a day.
Such compromise now in favor of
the shipyard workers would be ac-
ceptable, Mr.. Guerin declared.
Settle on $500 Day Basis.
Union officials announced one ship
building corporation at Edgewater
N. j., has settled with its men on a
| basis of $3.50 day, pending an un-
and the shipyard workers.
The government has rejected a
proposition by the carpenters brother
hoods that the shipworkers be al
lowed to place a representative on the
labor adjustment board of the Emer-
gency Fleet corporation to settle the
present wage controversy, it was an
nounced by Mr.. Guerin. The ship
workers wanted to appoint kuch a rep
resentative with. the right to vote and
with powers equal to those held by
government representatives.
Many Idle for Lack of Material.
brotherhood leaders today asserted
there were about 5000 carpenters idle
here. owing to scarcity of material. in
addition to the strikers; and that thru
out the country there were $1,000
carpenters idle who had been en-
ployed on cantonments and who could
be turned into ship building workers
with only a little training. These es-
Inmates were given out it was stated
Dor available for carrying out the gov
ernment's shipbuiIding program If
higher wages were paid.
Leaders Rivalry Figures i'm Strife.
Rivalry between Hutcheson and
CONTINUED on Page TwoD