The Washington herald., 1918-02-16
Iron Workers and Others
Numbering l15,000 VIII
Be Affected.
ALL ATLANTIC COAST
SHIPYARDS INVOLVED
Woodworkers' Secretary
Lays Blame for WaIkout
on Chairman Hurley.

New York. Feb. l5.-Sixty-6ve
thousand of the woodworkers con-
nected with the sEpbuiIdins indus
try on the Atlantic coast. from
Bangor. Me-. to New Orleans. will
go on strike tomorrow. it was de-
cided late tonight at a meeting of
delegates from councils of marine
woodworkers.
Every shipbuilding plant on the
coast except the navy yards, it was
declared, Will be affected. The
navy yard workers have a special
agreement to remain on their Jobs.
Those Who VIII strike.
Those who will Join in the strik.
include joiners. shipbuiIders, carpen-
tiers, calkers, stairmakers. boat build
ers, riggers-every worker in any
manner connected with woodwork on
vessels. Should the strike last three
days. fully ll5.OOO men will be affected.
it was asserted The additional sD.oOO
men include iron workers. whose
fabors must perfOrce cease IN that
time II the woodworkers stop.
There were twenty-six representa-
lives at tonight's conference. The sr-
uatinn was fully discussed. according
. TO John Stuart. secretary ~ ths
local district council OF the marine
woodvorkers.
The matter is absolutely up 10
Chairman Edward n. Hurley. Of the
United States Shipping Board" said
Stuart We received a report that
Ar. Hurley. so far from receiving
our representatives CONSIDERABLY
sctuafly threw the memorandum
presented TO him at the degIegates.
He treated our cause lightly al
though $500 men feel We have Just
cause for the stand we are TAX
ing.
"Our demand is that we receive the
same per diem rate. $3.50. received by
men engaged in similar work on tie
Pacific Coast. We take this stand not
from any jealous or sectional feeling.
but because the scale Of living prices
has increased here in far 2reater ratio
than has the advance in wages.
1T is through no lack OF a spirit
OF patriotis<1 or Of desire TO aid the
government in its shipbuilding pro-
gram that we have decided TO striK..
We have families to support and must
receive just compensation for our
labor"
Daniels Sees Wilson.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels was
in conference with President Wilson
tonight, according to a message re-
ceiVed here late tonight, with respect
to the pending strike. After canvass
ing the whole situation. Secretary
Daniels submitted to the President the
name of John J. MCGEE as a member
OF the United States Shipping Board
and to act as arbitrator in settlement
of the difference between the govern
ment and the shipbuilders.
Senator Fletcher was reported 10
have expressed belief to the President
that the selection OF MCGEE would
prove OF immeasurabIe value. as he
had given evidence OF his ability TO
heal differences and adjust matters IN
controversy.
T. NJ. Guerin, OF the United Brother
hood OF Carpenters and JoinerS eN-
ecutive board. declared that ship
builders are engaging thousands OF
men as carpenters WHO are in reality
clerks and other tradesmen, while
skilled shipbuilders and mechanics are
out OF work
This is a matter we would like the
Shipping Board to adjust" said he
The apparent motive behind il is that
the slower ships are built the more
money there is in il for the builder.
1t looks pretty much as though the in
dustry were in control of the Shipping
Board and the latter won't consent TO
a showdown"