The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-07-28
LABOR WARNS
POLITICIANS
Gompers Scores Tendency to
Reduce Wages and to
Lay Off Men.
SCHEME WON'T SUCCEED
In Soaring Workmen Into
Party Camps-Pleads for
Continuous Operation.

Washington. July 2s..--n. N. S)--
Warning all concerned not to play poll
tics with the industrial situation. either
by laying off mon or reducing their
the American Federation OF Labor. In
an exclusive interview given today to
| the International News Service, de-
clarcd that what the country needs 10
and Rutocratio conduct Of employers is
waste that society can III afford"
President Gompers scored the tendency
to lay off men and asked II II were 4
political trick for the purpose OF soaring
them, into one or the other Of the po-
said, labor would tolerate no such thing
and would resist 10 the last ditch.
For months we have heard the cry
he said. 'dnned and dinned into our
Increase production: increase pro-
duction! How can Increased produce
tion be accomplished under a policy Of
laying OF thousands OF workers7 The
American wooden mills In Massachu-
sets closed their doors, II may be OF
interest 10 note the record Of profits
for this company and to recall recent
statements OF President William w.
Wood.
1.-THE American Wooden company In
creased It's net income 3l6 Wr cent for
1918 over 1914. The net Increase IN
common stock and earnings was 81 per
cent. Since the American wooden mills
control n large portion OF the business
OF making wool cloth, being commonly
known as the wool trust II may be
we'll 10 40 into more detail regarding
Its operations.
"There we're for the year ending
December 81. 1919. after deducting Of
taxes and all expenses. net earnings
OF $i0,779,S 04, equal to $3.50 per share
on the s2o,000,00O OF common stock.
n L.. all haG hal ma
for preferred dividends. In 1918 the
earnings per share on common stock
were $3.50, n total OF $6,b72,627 PreEis
dent Wood told his stockholders that
the close OF the year left the company
with untitled orders sufficient TO keep
the machinery fully employed well into
1920, and with good prospects for fun
production for the entire year. For
eign deliveries Increased approximately
100 pei cent during 1919.
"In addition TO this case there Il the
action OF the Pennsylvania railroad ~
laying OF approximately l2,OuV, re-
ports are accurate.
wont Move Freight.
"Wnl this help 20 move freightg
VIII Il help TO give the nation that In
creased production OF which 1t STANDS
In real needf
.'Or Is the laying on OF WORKERS
revival OF that old and crude policy or
laying OF men during a political coin-
palEn for the purpose OF driving tnsm
In fright and necessity into poliueM
camp2
I'm addition to tho laying on OF men
here have been reports u efforts 70
decrease wages. -
''it viii be recalled that In 1907 and
1908 employers sought 10 reduce wages
the result OF which AT that time s1ala
have been TO produce a panic,
"'rha American, Federation OF lapeI
aent forth thu warning that we woun
resist and resist and resist. ana w
naraphrased saying and declared Y
better 10 resist and lose than not 70
resist at all
"The policy Of reducing wages was
abandoned as a result OF that WARNING.
We repeat that warning today ~ ~
iaxardn we viii resist wage reduetiohss
There Ia no excuse ana mueh III,
'eaEon for reduction IN wages, We VII
oierate no reduction OF wages. t.Hga
ret We have ground TO cover pelo.e
70 restore TO all the purchasing power
4 1919.
"Thc nation needs production. Emf
levers have called for producfton ipn
,orEera 10 unpaid EFFORTS. and In order
D east reflection upon their enorts anu
heir honesty and integrity.
"There Is no trouble with the enis
Iency Of the workers There ls
rowing eFilcfenty Ot WVtN'i p.
, TOO lnfrequentiy an equal ehiesnne5
nj Integrity and intelligence IN ms
N Management of industry. The actieh
corporations today that lay on thcar
.nds OF men In nothing less tnan
.emsndous Indictment " management
ri hrinous otfanse against people
, need 81 every possible ounce OF pro
uction.
Continuous Operation.
"yyhat il needed above everything
AZ today IL continuance OF operation
Industry with q fairness and honesty
"a Intelligence upon the part OF en-
overs that viii make continuous OPP
alton possible. "a, "a.
''Two employment policies VIII mn
n nroduction. These are the fedue
,n Of the working forces or ntutAi
forts 10 drive the workers WNnen.
Insulation and without agresmehe
IN the workers.
.rhe mills and factories should run.
,narement should ccnsult with wefk-
: through tho chosen representsttEss
the workers, The corporation 20 y
hicvod by such pollcy VIII give w
ton the production that II nee1s ana
Al IL needed BY the whole woria.
"A rrogancs. bgotry and autoerauq
nduct of employers 10 waste thas
,iety can ~ AFFORD.