Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-16
BETHLEHEM STEEL
REBUKED BY TAFT
Bad Faith in Treatment of
|. Employees Is Charged
by War Board

Washington, Jan. 16.-The author
ity of the National War Labor Board
to enforce its DEGREES now that hos
tilities' have ceased, was challenged
yesterday by counsel for the Bethie-
hem Steel Company, who had been
asked to appear to answer COM
plants that awards made by the
board during the war had not been
carried out.
Joint Chairman Taft, of the board,
questioned the good faith of tho
company and said it's present atti-
tude "colors the whole situation with
sense of injustice which makes one
yearn for judicial power to compel
compliance" He added that the
board did not have this power, but
would meet Saturday with employees
representatives to determine what
there is possible to be done in this
situation"
Representatives of machinists and
electricians employed by the Bethle-
hem company complained that
awards of back pay were not carried
out and that men who complained
through the Plant committees es-
tablished by the board were dis
charged.
"Our position is that the award
does not apply to-day" said Guy
Currier, OF Boston,, attorney for the
company, though during the war
we We're prepared to accept anything
the board recommended. We don't
feel now that this board can go on
adjusting grievances between en-
ployes aDd managements of the in
dustrial plants"
Chairman Taft read a letter which
the board received last September
from B: G. Grace, president of the
Bethlehem company, who expressed
Willingness to enforce the award and
allow the men to organize commit
tee. He said, however, that the pay
ment OF the back wages under the
increases would be contingent upon
the readiness of the war and navy
departme ments to increase. the pay
ments to the company for the pro-
duction of munitions.
Now doesn't Bethlehem Company
intend to show any good faith with
the board?" Mr.. Taft demanded.
You entered into the agreement to
enforce the award to this letter. 1
don't consider that your present at
titude shows good faith. YoH intend
10 nout what has been done"
Attorney Currier objected to the
construction placed upon the action
OF the company by Mr.. Taft. He said
that the war and navy departments
mad not allowed increased paym ents
on the company's war contracts and
asked that a special section of the
board be appointed TO investigate
the matter.
Attorney Currier said the Bethle-
hem Company was laying off large
numbers of men and that the pro
auction of munitions, which was it's
princtpal business, has entirely
stopped. He said that members of
the shop committees created by the
board had not been DISCHARGED in
larger numbers than had other en-
ployers. -. -"
This is very painful situation to
me- Chairman Taft said in adjourn
ing the session. We wish to secure
What these workers are entitled to
nave under our previous award The
present attitude of Mr.. Grace and
mis- company in refusing to accept
after what has been done, colors
the whole situation with a sense of
injustice which makes one yearn for
Juulcial power to compel compli-
ance, but this board has not that
power. l declare this meeting ad-
Journed now to meet on Saturday
with the employees representatives
TO determine as nearly as we can
what there is possible to be done in
this situation"