davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
Telephone Workers
Vote ON Strike Plan

BOSTON, Feb. 26-Employes of the
New England Telephone & Telegraph
Company, as members of the Interna-
tional Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, voted on the question Of
giving authority to union officials to
call a strike to enforce a demand for
wage increases.
1t was expected that $4,000 workers.
largely women, would cast ballots.
Polls were opened in every city in
New England, where one or more affili-
ated unions exist
The result Of the voting will not be-
known until Friday.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26.-The re-
suit of referendum strike vote of
5000 telephone linemen and other
electrical workers and 5000 telephone
girls in Washington. Oregon, Califor-
MIA and Nevada, following the report
ed failure of Postmaster General Bur
Lesson to answer their wage demands.
IS to be forwarded to the interna,
tlonal officers of the International
brotherhood Of Electrical Workers at
Springfield, H., to-day for action
Officials of the brotherhood here indi-
Gated that strike action would follow
the vote.
Recognition of their unions bv the
Federal wire authorities is desired
particularly, 1t was said
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
Minimum Wage Board
Measure Is Introduced
Members of Women's Joint
Legislative Conference Prom
ised Bipartisan Support

ALBANY, Feb. 26.-The minimum
wage commission bill backed bv the
Women's Joint Legislative Confer
ence, was introduced to-day by AS
semblyman William Bewley, Republi-
can, of Niagara, and chairman Of the
Labor and Industries Committee. It
IS the same as the bill introduced
earlier in the session by Senator
James A. Foley, Democratic leader of
the upper House, with the exception
that the three members of the COM
MISSION are to receive $40 a day each.
The bill creates a minimum wage com
mission of three to be appointed bv
the Governor with the consent Of the
Senate for terms Of three years. and
the commission is to determine living
wages for women and minors. The
Foley bill will be amended to conform
with the Bewley measure.
The members Of the Women's Joint
Legislative Conference have been
promised support from Republican
and Democratic leaders. They feel
certain that if the Bewley bill is
passed IL will be signed by Governor
Smith IN spite of the fact that his
minimum wage recommendation did
not call for compensation for the com
missioners.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
COmpers Optimistic
Ouer Solution of
Industrial Problems
Ne,U York Tribune

Special Cable Service
Copyright. 1919. New York Tribune Incl
PARIS, Feb. 26.-Samuel Gomners an
nounced yesterday morning that the
work of the commission on interna-
tlonal labor legislation is proceeding
favorably. He refused to Indicate
hether the American plan for the
minimum of government participation
in the industrial congress or the British
project involving complicated official
machinery would be adopted, but the
significance of his statement lay in the
fact that he was fully optimistic as to
the results Of the discussions now GOING
on.
He stressed the tendency of world
thought to favor an international agree
ment on the questions OF hours of labor
and child and woman labor, but pointed
out that the practical application of
world regulations was confronted with
the difficulty of weakening the SOW
ereignty of the individual governments
in matters of domestic policy
The same situation exists as regards
international regulation of immigration
and emigration, on which Mr.. Gompers
expressed the strong feeling that the
United States must settle its own prob
lens and would not express an opinion
on the French desire to establish q
complicated system of world regulation.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
Worns Baker OF Danger
In Decentralization Here

\ FTER an investigation of the
~ situation created by demo-
biliZation in and around New York
of troops from other states Sheriff
Knott sent letter yesterday to
Secretary Baker suggesting demo-
bilization in home districts.
81 Think" wrote Sheriff Knott,
chat the soldiers should be de-
mobilized in the same way they
were drafted into the army
through their draft boards, the
chairman Of each draft board
signing the discharge. Every SOL
dier would then be brought home.
There are many soldiers walking
the streets now who cannot find
work, and when our own New
York boys come home there will be
a great congestion. If the War
Department does not handle the
situation as it should be handled
there will be q hell stew brew
ing in this part of the country"
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
U. S. to Aid Coast Shipping
Railroad Administration Seeks
10 Continue Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.-In view of
reports that the Merchants and Miners
Transportation Company would discon-
tinue coastwise service shortly, Di-
rector General Hines to-day announced
that the railroad administration would
do all in its power to encourage con-
tInuance of service after the boats are
turned back to private management
March /.
The railroad administration sought
to relinquish control of the Merchants
and Miners line December s, along with
the Clyde, Mallory and Southern
Steamship lines, but the Merchants
and Miners declined to resume manage
ment at that time. Consequently, the
government has continued its opera
tion $ an agent of the company
Mr.. Hines did not specify what steps
the government might take to persuade
the company to continue it's service
He stated definitely, however, that the
government would cease to operate the
boats on March /.
New rates on coastwise water ship
ments between New England and
Southern ports will be established by
the railroad administration in March
in an attempt to restore the pre-war
differentials on water traffic. it was
announced
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
Building of Houses
By State to Limit
High Cost, Is Urged
Frank e. Williams Outlines
Plan Before Committee of
State Reconstruction Com
mission at Meeting Here

Frank B, Williams outlined to the
members of the housing committee Of
the State Reconstruction Commission.
meeting at the City Club yesterday. a
plan whereby the state would take up
a new line Of activity-the building of
houses.
THE state should be authorized to
undertake and empowered to authorize
It's agencies to undertake housing en-
terprlses on large scale and in all
their branches, in order TO realize the
resulting gains and make the Incl
dental economies essential to adequate
housing at low cost and to the safety
OF the investments of the state" he
said
This would include power to pur-
chase large tracts by the acre, provide
transportation and develop and plan
the tracts, imposing proper planning re-
strictions, including simple but ade-
quate zonihg regulations.'
Mr.. Williams, with others, favored
the establishment Of permanent state
housing commission or a similar organ
ization to lay down and enforce the con-
ditions needed to secure the state from
financial less. 1t was also suggested
that the state might furnish financial
aid to enhance the construction of
much needed dwellings. On this score
Mr.. Williams said:
"The state loans. for the most part
at least, should not be made directly
to individuals, but to municipalities and
corporations with limited dividends In
this way, also, the state would secure
the advantage of individual enterprise
and initiative. Another method of ac-
complishing this result would be the
purchase by the state, under proper
safeguards, of the stock of housing
corporations, or the guarantee of its
bonds"
Lawson w. Purdy, former head OF
the Department of Taxes and Assess
ments, declared that, as long as the
building costs are high, there seems te
be no hope for the erection Of suitable
buildings TO rent for $4 room or less
"The erection of such buildings on
suitable plans might we'll be encour-
aged by remission of taxes on such
buildings for a sufficient term Of
years." he said. with the tax rate
over per cent, the remission of the
tax would be at least equivalent to a
reduction of one-third in building cost
This would nearly compensate for the
present increased cost of building"
Clarence S. Stein an architect, rep
resenting the City Club; Robert D.
kohn. former chief of production in
the housing department of the United
States Shipping Board, and Richard S.
Chllds also spoke at the meeting.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
Says Seattle Shipyards
Took Only Union Men
Piez Hears That U. S. Employ
mcnt Agency Was Domi-
mated by Labor

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.-In response
to resolution asking the Shipping
board as to the employment policy in
the ene -, shlpyards at Seattle having gov
Piez Informed the Senate TO-DAY that
only union men had been employed d
there, because the Seattle yards were
closed shops" before the war.
1T is a fact" Mr.. Piez wrote, "that
IN Seattle shipyards none but union
men or those having permits from the
unions we're employed, and it is also
true that men who did not belong to
the unions or who did not have permits
from the unions could not find cmplov-
ment in such yards.
lt mas been reported on good au-
thority that the United States emn,ow-
ment agency at Seattle was completeIv
under domination Of the union element
and that it did not lend itself to tho
employment of any but union men"
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
Most Serious Situation En-
tente Nations Have Faced
Looms in Reconstruction
Orderly Process Needed
Working Glasses Demand
Better Conditions; u. S.
Called Upon to Assist
By Chester M. Wright
Ncw York Tribune
EurOpean Bureau

European Bureau
Copyright. 1919 New York Tribune Inc.)
LONDON, Feb. 26.-Europe is rap
idly approaching a crisis in the in
dustrial life of the continent from
which she must either plunge into
volcanic crater Of chaos or proceed
along the orderly pathway of demo-
cratic reconstruction. The war brought
no situation more desperate than that
which will be faced by the nations of
the Entente if there is not soon some
way found to do two things:
frat, to obtain for the working peo-
pie an apprecable measure of better
and more stable living conditions, and
Second, to accomplish this by orderly
process that will restore the shaken
faith of the working people in the
present social order and bring back
their sense of responsibility to society
as whole.
During the last fortnight industrial
life has gone rapidly in the direction
of disorder. This is true of Italy, of
Central Europe, of England and of
almost every section on this side of
the world. In France there is pe
culiar quiet, but not reassuring in the
least. Unemployment is critical in
France. Machinery, raw materials and
coal are lacking. This condition pre-
walls almost everywhere. England will
probably pass the crisis this week. and
when that point is reached it will have
been decided whether the working peo-
pie organized into their powerful
unions. are going to plunge the nation
into an era of violent strife or whether
progress is going to be made along the
lines of orderly bargaining, with the
verdict based upon a show of facts.
First Industrial Congress
There will assemble in this citv to-
morrow the first National Industrial,
Congress in the worlds history. Or
ganized labor and organized capital
Will sit together, with the government
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
Government Probe
Offer Urged Upon
British Miners
Executives of Union Men
Ask Delegates to Consider
1t and Extend Strike Date
Five Days to March 20

LONDON. Fec. 26.--The executive
committee Of the National Miners Fed
Grafton to-day placed before the dele
gates to the miners conference, which
is to decide whether there shall be a
strike on March Is, recommendation
that the offer of the government for a
commission to inquire into the situa-
tion should be accepted and that the
date for the expiration for the strike
notices should be postponed until
March 20.
Justice Sir John Sankey, who will
be chairman of the commission. has
promised that the commission would
make a report on the most important
questions by March 20. The delegates
representing the miners in South
Of adhering to the original date for
the stoppage Of work.
The conference postponed decision
on the recommendation until to-mor-
row,
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27

difference of opinion regarding repara-
tion and indemnity.
In his appeal to the country during
the December election, Lloyd George
declared that Germany must pay every
penny it is possible to get from her"
On the strength of this great hopes
have been built, but conditions changed
materially in the East in the last three
months, and now comes j. L. Garvin,
editor of "The Observer" who often
expresses ministerial opinion, with
strong words of condemnation for
chose joyous persons who think it is
possible and proftable-and right if
only profitable-to keep Germany un-
der tribute and in serfdom for twenty
years. or fifty, or even a hundred
years"
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
Shoe Workers Go
On Strike To-day;
$4,000 Are Involved
Tieup of Cutting and Fit
ting Rooms Expected;
Union to Close All Fac
tories in Greater City

sympathetic strike in the shoe in
dustry, which will completely tie up
the factories of Manhattan and Brook
lyn and throw out of employment some
$4,000 men, goes in effect to-day. The
action was decided upon Yesterday
afternoon by 1000 members of the
United Shoe Workers Union at a meet
ing in the Lyric Theatre, Brooklyn.
The meeting, by unanimous vote, de-
clded to support the Goodyear OPERA
tors Lasters' Local No. 2, in their de-
mand for 44-hour work week and
increases in wages.
representative of Harry Gilman.
organizer of the union, said its mem
bershlp OF 5000 controlled the cutting
and hitting rooms of virtually all shoe
factories in greater New York and and
the 1000 members of the GOODYEAR
operators organization comprised Writ
ually all of the lasters.
10000 Workers Involved
win these two organizations on
strlke, 1t would be impossible to run
the factories, he said, and 10000 work
ers' many CT them unorganized, would
be thrown out OF work Earlier in tho
week, number of factories had mott
ned their employees that with the last
ers on strike it would be impossible 10
continue operating.
The Shoe Manutacturers' Board Of
Trade Yesterday offered to all en-
ployes OF its membership a 49-hour
week with q change to the 44-bon,
week on October Is. Under the term s
OF the offer workers are to be Maid
time and half for overtime and
double time for Sundays and HOLIDAYS
Raymond ?. Morse, speaking for tbo
manufacturers, said the United Shoe
Workers had gone out on strike in
sympathy with the Goodyear operators
whom he accused of declining persis-
tentiy to arbltrate their difference with
the manufacturers
View of Manufacturers
Mr. Morse issued the following state
ment:
"The United Shoe Workers have
gone on strike for no reason excent
TO support Goodyear Local No. 2
wnlch has persistently refused to arbi.
trate. The United Shoe Workers is
she union that recently passed rule
forbiddng any of its members in the
cuVIlHS rooms TO earn IN excess of S4E
a week. Many of these cutters hac
been earning as high as $50 a week
until their union placed this restric
ton on them.
so we have to-day the spectacle OF
one union, Goodyear Local No.2.
striking for raise from an average
Of S45 week to demands ranging a.
hlgh as Sl0O week, and another unior
striking in sympathy while it forbid:
us own members to earn more thar
9Ao week, which they can comfortably
exceed under our generous piece rates ;
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
HarbOrMen
Plan Strike:
Refuse Award
Continued from page l

night and tomorrow the unions will
they want done.
II will not presume to say what they
will do. To say what we decided to
do to-day might defeat or embarrass
our plans"
care we to assume that the award
is not satisfactory" he was asked.
"That would not be an assumption"
said Mr. Delahunty at would be a
statement of fact. The award is any
thing but satisfactory"
Following the adjournment of the
meeting, the delegates hurried away
to call special meetings of the vari-
Gus unions. One union, the boatmen,
met last night and voted to indorse
the position of the af1iliation and in
structed its representative, John Bren-
nan, to vote for a strike if in his
judgment conditions warrant such ac-
ton. The masters, mates and pilots
took similar action at q regular meet
ing. Tonight the harbor boatmen,
nal workers and the marine engineers
hold special meetings. Their leaders
said last night that there was no ques-
tion as to what they would vote to do
There is not a union" said one
leader, "but will vote full power to
its delegates. 1t might be said that
the referring back to the unions is
simply an effort to keep the record
straight, for there was a question in
the minds of some whether the in
structions voted before the strike on
January are still in full effect and
force. 1t was also thought best to let
the men who must strike again express
themselves. After all, it is their fight
and not our private affair."
Delay in Receiving Reward
In discussing the Macy award the
members of the Atfiliation were handi-
capped by what one of the members
denounced as rank bit of discount
esy." None of the unions affected by
the award had copies Of it until late
yesterday afternoon. these coming
after tho National War Labor Board
had been asked when the Afilation
might look for formal notice of Mr.
Macy's findings. After this telegram
had been sent a reporter provided a
copy Of the award, which he had OBJ
tanned from a representative of the
boat owners. Official copies reached the
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27

Affiliation just as it was about to ad-
journ.
In the discussion it was pointed out
that by its terms the men get neither
the eight-hour day nor an increase in
wages. Though the award purports to
fix working hours at eight, it was
charged that the employees on railroad
tugs and floats now have the eight
hour day in common with all other
railway employees, and that 80 far as
other employers are concerned there is
nothing in the award that by its terms
is binding on but one company
1t was also declared that in attempt
ing to describe q one-crew boat Mr..
Macy was not clear, and that in refus-
ing to grant men employed on such
craft the eight-hour day hundreds of
boats in the harbor are exempted from
the operations Of the award.
The refusal to grant any increase in
wages was the point most bitterly en-
phasized. These raising this point de-
clared that Mr.. Michaels, representing
employers on the War Labor Board,
had conceded that the men were en-
titled to more money than they are
now receiving"
"Mr. Macy" said one member, "has
seen fit to deprive the men of what
even the bosses are willing to concede
and to give the bosses what the men
L., 81 IT +I,o%
the award gives US the eight-hour day
is fiction. 1t gives nothing of the
sort. 1t does give the shorter day to
some who already have it and to very
few who do not. The rest geE the
benefits of a commission, with a prom
ise that If the commission fails they
can have another dose of the War La
Dor Board.
"The men have all Of the War Labor
Board they can stomach. There is
nothing left for them to do but strike.
We had the port tied up before, and
we will tic it up again. This time we
will take what We want and go back to
work when we get it..'
Boat Owners Satisfied
Paul Bonynge, counsel and spokes-
man for the boat owners, said he had
taken the matter up with Joseph J.
Glatzmayer, president of the New York
Boat Owners Association, and found it
satisfactory.
"The award seems to be satisfac-
tory" he said. $50 far as the eight
hour day is concerned it is only recon-
mcnded; it is recommendatory rathe
than mandatory. The association will
act on it tomorrow tonight at n spe-
cial meeting in the Whitehall Club"
Suppose the men put the matter up
to President Wilson again." he was
asked.
THAT does not concern u.s." he said
"We have nothing to do with that. The
award is regular, and | assume that the
boat owners will abide by it's terms"
Mr.. Bonynge refused to discuss the
statement made at the Affiliation meet
ing that the employers had been willing
to concede an increase in wages. An
important member of the association
confirmed this statement, however
placing the figure at Is per cent.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27

is starvation over here over vast areas.
In Northern France, Belgium, Armenia,
the Balkans, Italy, Bohemia, Po-
land. Russia, Turkey, Rumania and
other places there is need for food
and other supplies. This need is acute
and will remain SO for a long time.
America is the only hope Of relief
America must send wheat, corn, meat,
seeds, agricultural machinery cotton,
iron, steel, copper, coffee and clothing
to these people.
To Build New Foundation
''For some of these things America
will be paid in regular commercial
transactions. but a great amount we
Will have TO give outright. We've got
to give life to the starving peoples.
We've got to help them get on their
feet and build the new foundations
under them to enable them 70 resume
the winning Of their own living. |
fear there is small realization of these
needs among our people. They mean
Tor us long period of self sacrifice.
They mean the testing of our charac-
ter, but we cannot let the world go to
smash There is an idealstc reason
for our own safety. We cannot, there
tore, let the rest of the world 90 to
smash"
The man close to the labor situation
emphasized over and over again the
necessity to restore the stability Of
the world. He insisted that employers
must bear their full share in holding
America steady by forgetting greed
and striving for justice in the inter-
est of America itself. I should say
he meant there should be a spirit of
fairness, if not forbearance, on both
sides, to the end that no chance be
taken. on measures that might lead
America to the situation of Europe
Wars Legacy to Europe
The war has left a legacy for Eu-
rope in the shape Of what can be
characterized as a spirit of irrespon-
sibility 1t shows clearest in England
perhaps, because it is possible to get
closer to the facts in England than
anywhere else on this side. But Eng
land also offers the most hope, for the
menace of disorder has driven Eng
land SO close 70 the verge of chaos
that desperate measures must be taken
quickly to save the democratic order
from the grip of violence. If England
can regain her balance and if America
can relieve the situation there is hone
for the world and there is hope for
sanity and progress.
The main question in England is
just what 1T was month ago: Whether
the plan for salvation through indus
trial and legislative processes has
come in time to check the trend of
Things? There is a strong side run
ming, and the new machinery must
check the powerful flow of that tide
ana turn 1T into more quiet channel.
IT 1t can be proved that it is possible
to turn it into this quiet channel
there is measurable hope for success
IN the efforts of rehabilitating Eu-
rope. Otherwise there will be an era
OF tremendous industrial chaos which
many able observers fear will bring
about the reign of the cave and the
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
Carpenters Meet With
Their EmpIoyes To-do>

Representatives of the ur;toJ
brotherhood of Carpenters and Joirsrs ,s1a
and the Building Trades Emn,overs .v. :
Association will meet TO-DAY in an
effort to reach an agreement on a
wage scale for 1919 The men recently
struck for $3.50 and against the s5' "a
the employers fixed as the rate.
Justice ?. Henry Dugro, named to
SIC >, as an umpire in the event of a
disagreement, met yesterday with
Ronald Taylor and William L. Hutche.
son, representing the parties in inter
est and agreed to serve.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
fastening of Peace
Terms Is Demanded
By Unrest in Europe
NeW York Tribxne
EurODenn R,,,,c..


Copyright. 1919. New York Tribune Inc)
LONDON, Feb. 26.-Though there is
less alarming news of the civil war in
Germany, the situation Is having de-
cidcdly SOLDERING effect here. where it
is realized that any change in the Ger
man government now would mean fur
ther power for the extremists. The un-
satisfactoriness of the Schedemann
government is preferred to the Sparta
cides.
The direct result Of the dsqueting
news of the last few days Is an urgent
demand from all sides for Fastening
the Paris peace conference decisions.
1t is felt that peace with Germany
must he made at the earliest possible
moment "Better make peace with the
Schcidcmann government than try to
down revolution in Central Europe"
is the advice of veteran statesman.
! One reason for delay has been the