Evening journal., 1918-09-12
PRESIDENT Will
ENFORCE DEGREES
May Seize Arms Plant if
Machinists Refuse
to Work
DRAFT SEVENTIES
FOR THE STRIKERS

and respected.
10 was learned yesterday that the
President discussed with his Cabinet
the plans under consideration. and he
may be expected 90 announce his con-
clusions within a day or two.
The President, 10 Is understood, Is
prepared 10 employ two concrete in
stances TO show capital and labor that
he did not establish the war labor
board, with William II. Taft and Frank
II. Walsh at its heads, as a mere in
strument for adjustment Of minor
labor controversies, but as an institu-
ton for arbitration and definition OF
all the fundamental and major ele-
ments Of the war-labOr problem. The
two cases are:
The Smith and Wesson Arms Com
pany Of Springfield. Mass, engaged In
the manufacture OF small arms for the
United States army. and which re-
fused to abide by the labor boards
decision in favor OF the right OF work
ers to bargain collectively-that basic
principle OF union labor.
Workers IN war industries In Bridge
port Conn, who refused 20 accept the
/ labor boards award, which denied to
them certain broad trade classiflca-
tions, and who have continued their
strike.
Although officials would not confirm
/ the fact that these are the two specific
cases in which the President has de-
! termined to act the fact that nc has
under consideration these two con-
! trastlng labor controversies leaves
small doubt as 10 their selection.
Communicating by the Government OF
the Smith and WessOn plants-a course
suggested by the company 10 Secre-
tary OF War Baker in its refusal to ac-
cept the war labor boards decision
Is contemplated by the President II Is
said as a rebuke 90 employers who
hold their own theories in opposition
10 unionizatlon Of their employees
should be paramount TO the issues OF
| the war.
On the side OF the worker. 70 was
pointed out. there is but one course
/ for the President TO take to enforce
| the decision Of the war labor board,
and such a step means a drastic move
10 convince the Bridgeport strikers
| that the Governments power must be
! respected. Communicating Of the
| Bridgeport industries does not offer
such solution. and the President is
understood % intend dealing directly
with the workers.
Just what course he will follow has
not been outlined. but Il IS said that
he intends 10 call upon the workers
10 accept the award OF the war labor
board. which was ratified by a special
umpire. and 10 return to their work.
Failure OF the workers 10 do this
will result IN orders denying them
/ employment in any Of the Bridgeport
industries. through any Of the agencies
Of the United States Employment
Service or in any plant controlled di-
rectly or through contracts by the
War and Navy Departments. the ship
ping board and railroad administration.
/ The Bridgeport strikers are machinists.
The anti-strike power IN the selec-
! live-draft law also Is being considered
as a further lever OF authority. Al
though Congress did not include The
! Thomas-Reed amendment to the man
power bill passed last week the Ad-
ministration has ample power under
existing regulations and the President
Is giving consideration TO the ad-
visibility OF having General Crowder,
provost marshal. notify the local draft
boards with which the Bridgeport
strikers are concerned to revoke any
deferred classification they may now
hold on account Of employment in
industries necessary TO the mainten-
ance Of the military establishment OF
Of national interest during The emerg-
ency. Such a step would correspond
very closely TO the recent action Of
the British Government in dealing with
strikers. The two cases are not parallel.
for the reason that England has no
exemptions on account OF dependents
whereas in The Bridgeport case the
men would not be drafted into the
United States army n entitled 10 Glass
z status because Of dependents. in adj
dition to Glass 3 rating because OF their
| employment.
The basic idea the President is said
10 have IN mind is a straightforward
and forceful decision TO make It clear
10 employers and employees that the
decisions Of the war labor board arc
10 be final in all cases and not only IN
those in which either one side or the
other elects 20 accept.
This question arose first In the re-
fusal OF the Western Union Telegraph
Company 10 submit the question al
issue with ifs operators to the board
and government control, and action by
Congress resulted, although not ex-
erclsed on exactly the same issue as
that involved in the Smith & Wesson
case.
That such a course as above outlined
WI be taken by the President in the
case of the Bridgeport workers was re-
garded in some circles in Washington
as being too drastic for application IN
existing circumstances, but there Is
annie authority for assertion that the
President is prepared 10 assume an en-
lirelv impartial and fearless course
showing favor 20 neither employers nor
employes in his unqualified support oil
the Taft-Walsh board.
William ]. Johnston, international
president Of the International Associa-
tion Of Machlnists, in a telegram TO ,.
Tavitt local representative OF the unioL
AZ bridgeport, gave the strikers forty
eight hours 10 return TO work under
nenaItv of suspension from the inter-
national body. Mr.. Johnston gave evil
dence of the appreciation OF national
labor leaders Of the Importance to or
ganized labor generally Of the Issue,
al stake. While he held that the de-
cislon of the umpire "ls just as dis
tasteful to the international officers a.
Il Is TO our individual members in
bridgeport, and were It not for the fact
that our country is involved in this
world conflict you would have the un-
limited and undivided support OF the
grand lodge In an effort 10 enforce your
lust demands for a minimum wage" he
called upon the strikers TO return %
work