The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-02-21
STRIKE STATUS
YET UNCERTAIN
More Men Left Jobs Yesterday
at Ship Plant But Both
Sides Continue Reticent

The strike situation at the plant of
the Pensacola Shipbuilding Co. con-
tinues to appear doubtful. Approx
mately $50 men have quit, according to
best figures obtainable from both plant
officials and union men. Neither side
is willing to talk, although Super
intendent Crenshaw has indicated that
he will give out statement as soon
as the unions make public their posi-
ton.
Union leaders refuse to talk, an or
der from the strike meeting being that
no public announcements are to be
made. Some of the strikers, and many
of the men who have failed to go on
strike say they are not sure just why
the strike is being pulled but that
they understand it is a sympathetic
strike to aid the sheet metal work
erS."
Several weeks ago a sheet metal
foreman was discharged. From that
time until the present more or less
friction has been evidenced and the
plant officials have been urged to re-
instate the foreman. The sheet metal
workers decided to strike and the
Metal Trades Council voted to pull
the whole yard in sympathy.
The order was issued Wednesday
afternoon and, the strike was to have
taken effect at noon Thursday. At that
time, and during the remainder of the
day approximately 80 men quit, ac-
cording to official estimates from the
strikers. The order continued in eff
feet however, and yesterday morning
nearly 200 men marched from the
plant shortly after the opening hour.
At first only one of town organizer
was in the city, Stewart of the sheet
metal workers. Last night three ad
ditional organizers arrived to take
charge of the situation from the strik
ers side. They are Full, Cook and one
other. All are from Chicago head
quarters, although they have special
jurisdiction in the southeastern states.
It was announced last night that the
entire yard, with the possible excep-
ton of the carpenters and caulkers,
will be out by Saturday night. Many
of the men who did not come out at
first remained merely to make neces-
sary business arrangements, according
to strike headquarters.
Last nights train northbound car
ried several shipbui1ders and their
families, and several other employees of
the plant have said goodbye to their
friends in the city.
From the shipbuilding plant no in
formation whatever is being given out
except the statement that we are
operating as usual"
United States D S tri C Attorney
NeeIey declined to comment on the
strike situation. My end of 1t IS
clear" he said. Il am leaving town
tonight on official business the nature
of which / cannot disclose" Further
than that he would not discuss the
matter
Despite the secrecy order, s'9Veral
of the men discussed the strike free
ly Yesterday. One of the leaders said:
Friction had been developing from
time until it appeared that a con-
dition was coming for which we could |
not stand For that reason we decided
to pull the yard"
Pressed for a statement as to the
reason for the strike he admitted that
it was not a question of wages, work
ing hours or working conditions. All
shipyards are working under the Macy |
award" he said 'and the wages are |
Perhaps we will make |
puh1ic statement SOOn.'