The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-09-14
warn STRIKERS
To WORK OR FIGHT
Bridgeport, Conn.,, Men Must
Abide by Boards Decision.
RISK LOSS OF EXEMPTION
President Wilson Points Out That
Best Paid Workers Are Directors,
and Calls Action DsIoyal.

Washington, Sept. 14-President
Wilson took a hand in the enforce
| ment of industrial peace and war pro-
duction
In effect he gave notice TO employ
ers and employees alike that no inter
ruption of production will be tolerat-
ed; that both the government powers
of communicating and the work or
fight order will be applied rigidly
The presidents warning was given
in a letter to union machinists and
other striking wOrkmen at Bridge
port, Conn. They quit their jobs in
war material plants a week ago be-
cause they were dissatisfied with an
award by the national war labor
board
The men were told to go back to
work on pain of being barred from
employment for a year, and of losing
all claim to exemption from military
service on occupational grounds.
The letter follows:
Gentlemen I am in receipt of your
ing that you have begun q strike
against your employers in Bridge
port, Conn You are members of the
Bridgeport branches of the Interna-
tional Union of Machinists AS such
and with the approval of the nation
al officers of your union, you signed
an agreement to submit the questions
as to the terms Of your employment
to the national war labor board and
to abide by the award, which, in ac-
cordance with the rules of procedure
approved by me, might be made.
"The members of the board were
not able to reach unanimous cOnclu-
sion on all the issues presented and,
as provided in its constitution, the
questions upon which they did not
agree were carried before an arbi-
traitor, the unanimous choice of the
members of the board.
THE arbitrator thus chosen has
made an award which more than 80
per cent of the workers affected ac-
cept. You who constitute less than
10 per cent refuse to abide the award.
although you are the best paid of the
whole body of workers affected and
are, therefore, least entitled to press
n further increase of wages because
Of the high cost of living But what
ever the merits of the issue it is clos
ed by the award. You strike against
it is breach of faith calculated to
rnHn c;r of
organized labor in proclaiming it's
acceptance Of the principles and ma
chinery of the national war labor
board
IF such disregard of the solemn
adjudication of tribunal to which
both parties submitted their claims
is temporized with, agreements be-
come mere scraps of paper If errors
creep into awards the proper remedy
Is submission to the award with an
application for rehearing to the tri-
bunal. But to strike against the
award is disloyalty and dishonor.
st is of the highest importance TO
secure compliance with established
rules and procedure for the settle
ment of industrial disputes. Having
exercised drastic remedy with re-
calcitrant employers it is my duty to
use means equally well adapted to the
end with lawless and faithless en-
ployes.
Therefore, l desire that you return
to work and abide by the award. II
you refuse each one of you will be
barred from employment in any war
industry in the community in which
the strike occurred for a period of
one year. During that time the Unit
ed States employment service will de-
cline TO obtain employment for you in
any war industry elsewhere in the
United States as well as under the
war and navy departments, the ship
ping board, the railway administra-
ton and all government agencies, and
the draft boards will be instructed to
reject any claim of exemption based
on your alleged usefulness on war
production.
"Sincerely yours,
"WoOdrow Wilson"