The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-09-03
SHIP BUILDERS CAM
Be SLACKERS
Ringing Address at the Newburgh
Shipyard by Colonel
Roosevelt
ASSOCIATED Press)

Newburgh, N. Y, Sept. 3.-Slack-
ers in American shipyards who loaf
individually and unions of shipbuild-
ers which limit the output of ships
We're denounced by Theodore Roose-
velt yesterday as traitors to the coun-
try. Colonel Roosevelt delivered an
address on the occasion of the launch
ing from the Newburgh Shipyards of
the first of ten vessels. each of 5000
tons dead weight, which are to be
built here for the United States
Shipping board.
Colonel Roosevelt expressly ex-
empted the employees of the local
yard from his denunciation by saying
that he understood that warm spirit
of helpfulness and cooperation had
been developed here. Emphasizing
the patriotic service rendered by ship
builders, the colonel said:
"A Stacker in our shipyards is as
shameful a creature as a coward in
the army in France. and good work
er in the shipyards stands honorably
forward like good soldier in the
army. / have come here to Newburgh
largely because my inquiries have
convinced me that here there has
been no organized limitation of out
put and practically no loafng. / am
convinced that. generally speaking,
there is a fine spirit of patriotism in
shipbuilding labor in all parts of the
|country.
Vat hoe oil 70 fho%
in certain yards men have loafed in
dividually and that in certain yards
unions have actually limited the out
put so as to limit the number of riv-
cts driven in day, or to limit the
number of days that they work, or in
other ways to prevent the develop
ment of our full strength and our ut
most speed Such men are traitors
to the country.
eff had my way would take any
such man and any men who aided or
abetted him, put him in the army at
once and send him across the water.
to do the hardest work in the most
dangerous position; and / would not
give him rifle until he had learned
the spirit of patriotism. Any man
who lays off now or scamps his job
is a traitor tos his fellow Americans
in France, traitor to the men who
need all the help we can give them.
On the other hand you, whom l am
convinced represent the enormous
majority of the shipyard workers,
you who are doing your utmost night
and day, week in and week out, stand
on the honor roll of American citizen
ship as second only to our troops in
France, and honor you. am proud
beyond measure that / am your fell
low countryman.
i "The army we have in France has
been put there only because the Brit
ish furnished US 60 per cent of the
tonnage needd to ferry them across
From now on American shipbuilders
must bear this burden. Therefore any
limitation of output in our shipyards
| is a crime against the country. Any
union rule or workmens' agreement
to limit the output in shipyards should
be treated as criminal at this time.
Pershing's men are not limiting their
output. Shame and disgrace should
be the portion of any man who here
at home limits the output necessary
to make the blood and labor of oup
soldiers at the front of no avail
ssIt is the patriotic duty of men in
the less essential industries to leave
those industries and to come to the
shipyards and to place their technical
skill at the service of their country