New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-03
Labor Secretary
Praises Work of
War Labor Board
Decisions We're Unanimous
in All but Four Findings;
Conclusions Were Resist
ed in Only Three Cases

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.--In only
four cases up to October 1 did the
members of the War Labor Board fail
of unanimous agreement on awards
and decisions, according to the review
of the boards work in the annual re-
port of William B. Wilson, Secretary
OF Labor.
"This fact" says Secretary Wilson,
"besides being q splendid tribute to the
members Of the National War Labor
Board. is also striking indication of
the magnificent spirit of cooperation
which has pervaded American industry,
for it will be remembered that the
board, with the exception of the two
chairmen. j. composed of members di
rectly representing the interests OF en-
ployers on the one hand and workers
en- the other
ZIP to and including October l." the
Secretary continues, che offices OF the
War Labor Board had been invoked in
a total Of 531 controversies involving the
operation of even larger number of es-
adjustments many cases embraced
groups of rlants-engaged upon the
production OF materials vital to the
very existence of our armies and IN
volving the employment of more than
2,OOO,O 900 workers Of this number the
War Labor Board had 266 cases still
bending on October !. Awards have
been made directly in A cases; 1856
cases have been referred to other gov
crnmentai agencies; : we're withdrawn;
80 were settled; 8 were settled without
intervention Of the board; jurisdiction
was denied in S cases, and 80 were
dropped OF suspended"
. Secretary Wilson points out that al
though the board began its work with
out any statutory power to give ERECT
to its decisions or findings, there has
been resistance to its conclusions IN
only three INSTANCES.
The first instance was when the
Western Union Telegraph Company,
despite personal appeal from the
President, denied the right of the board
to enforce its recommendation that
discrimination against organized en-
ployes should cease. Congress prompt
ly gave the President power to take
over the telegraph and telephone lines,
and the Postmaster General assumed
charge of them and issued instructions
that discriminatory practices should
cease
Later the Smith G. Wesson plant at
Springfield, Mass, was taken over by
the Secretary of War under similar
circumstances: and at about the same
time organized workers of Bridgeport,
Conn, who had struck in dissatisfac-
ton with an award Of the board de-
cded to return to work after they had
received letter from the President
warning them that unless they abode
by the award they would be barred
from employment for period of one
year in any war industry in the com
munity in which the strike occurred.
The government has gone into bust
ness as consulting expert on employ
mcnt problems. Hereafter managers
of factories or heads of business enter
prises, when they desire scientific adj
vice on important questions of policy
or administration may seek the assist
ance of the Working Conditions Ser
vice, Department Of Labor. This SER
vice viii supply experts who have had
careful training and wide experience.
Since its organization preparation has
been made for the widest possible
activity