Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-13
PRESIDENT RATES
BALKy STRIKERS
AS D|SLOYAL MEN
Tells Bridgeport Machinist to-
Return to Work or Lose
Standing.
BARRED FROM U. S. WORK
UNLESS THEY COMPLY
Those Spurning Labor Boards De-
cision to Also Face Loss Of
Claims to Exemption.

Drastic action has been taken by
President Wilson against the striking
machinists at Bridgeport, Conn, con-
stituting 10 per cent of the working
men who refused to abide by the award
of the National War Labor Board,
which was accepted by other union
men.
The President today notified them
that unless they return to work and
agree to the decision of the board they
will be individually dcbarred from en-
ployment under any governmental
agency anywhere in the United States
and the draft boards will be directed
to reject any claim for exemption based
on alleged usefulness in war produc-
ton.
Intimating that their course renders
their formal agreements heretofore en-
tered into "mere scraps Of paper"
President Wilson says that to strike
against the award is "dishonor and dis
loyalty"
The President calls attention to the
fact that in case of employers, the
Smith and Wesson Company. who re-
fused to stand by the award, he has
ordered the business of the firm taken
over and conducted by the government.
Does Not Mincs Words.
"Having exercised a drastic remedy
with recalcitrant employers" the
President says in his letter, cit is my
duty to use means equally we'll adapt
ed to the end with lawless and faith
less employees"
The Presidents letter Is addressed to
District Lodge No. SIS, international
Association of Machinists, land other
striking workmen OF Bridgeport
Conn"
The text of the letter follows:
''Gentlemen:
II am In receipt of your reso-
lutions of September 6. announcing
that you have begun strike
against your employers in Bridge )
port, Conn You are members Of
the Bridgeport branches of the In
ternational Union of Machinists.
AS such. and with the approval of
the national 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 the
award. which, in accordance with
the rules of procedure, approved
by me, might be made.
The members of the board were
not able to reach a unanimous con-
clusion on all the issues presented,
and as provided in Its constitution.
J the questions upon which they did
not agree were carried before an
arbitrator, the unanimous choice Of
the members of the board.
1.-The arbitrator thus chosen has
made an award (which more than
30 per cent of the workers affected
than IN per cent refuse to abide
the award. although YOU are the
Q hest paid of the whole body of
workers affected. and are. there
fore, least entitled to press fur
fher increase of wages because Of
the high cost OF living. But. what
ever the merits of the issue. it Is
closed by the award. Your strike
against it is breach of faith
calculated to reflect on the. sin
cerity of national organized labor
in proclaiming its acceptance OF
the principles and machinery OF
the National War Labor Board.
Proper Course to Take.
eff such disregard Of the solemn
adjudication of a tribunal to which
both parties submitted their claims
he temporized with. agreements
become mere scraps of paper. If
errors creep into awards the
proper remedy is submission to the
award with an application for re-
hearing 20 the tribunal. But to
strike against the award is dis
LOYALTY and dishonor.
'sThs Smith & Wesson Company
of Springfield. Mass. engaged in
government work. mas refused TO
accept the mediation Of the Ma
tional War Labor Board and has
Haunted its rules Of decision ap-
proved by presidential proclama-
tion. With my consent, the War
DEPARTMENT ,,1s;s.ss mas .ake9 er ,ps ever .n Ine
pany to secure continuity in pro.
duction and to prevent industrial
disturbance.
at is Of the highest importance
to secure compliance with reason
able rules and procedure for tho
settlement of industrial disputes.
Having exercised a drastic remedy
with recalcitrant employers. 1t is
my duty to use means equally
we'll adapted to the end with law
less and faithless employees.
Therefore. l desire that you re-
turn to work and abide by the
award If you refuse each of you
will be barred from employment
in any war industry in the COM
rnunity in which the strike occurs
for a period of one year. During
that time the United States En-
ployment Service will decline to
obtain employment for you in any
war industry elsewhere in the
United States. as well as under
the War and Navy departments. ,
the shipping board, the railroad !
AAmini1tTation and all other. gov.
ef1Ment agencies. and the dfafE
NJ -