The Washington herald., 1921-09-21
NAVY YARD men
WILL CARRY WAGE
FIGHT TO CONGRESS
Disappointed at Failure
Of Cabinet to Take
Up Matter.

Despite the fact that the stub
born fight carried on by the work
ers of the Washington Navy Pard
against the general reduction In
wages received a staggering re-
verse when the Presidents Cabinet
failed to consider the matter yes
terday, the workers last night de-
ciared that their opposition would
be continued and carried into both
the Senate and the House as soon
as those bodies convene.
Conhdent that their opposition
would be brought to the attention
OF PRESIDENT Harding at yesterdays
meeting, as the result of assuring
statements made by several mem
bers of the Cabinet, the workers
last night expressed keen "disap-
polntment" az the failure to rake
Up this most important matter"
: VIII Leave Matter to DENLY.
Following the meeting of the
CABINET President Harding said
that the navy yard wage contro-
Versy mad not been officially brought
to his attention.
1t Is understood that President
hardlns-will not enter the contro-
Nersy at any time but will leave the
matter entirely in the hands of Sec
relary Denby for settlement Mr..
Denby has already refused to dis
cuss the matter with representatives
OF the workers and has intimated
ms intention of abiding by the find
ings OF the Navy Wage Board.
Leeman Issues Statement.
Upon being informed that the
Caoinet did not consider the work
ers claims of Inequality" in the
wage cut at the Washington navy
Saru. herbert p. Leeman president
OF Columbia Lodge, ia, Information
al Association of Mechanics. last
night issued the following state
ment:
Il am keenly disappointed at the
failure of the Cabinet to give con-
sideration to our case this after
noon. In view Of the many peti-
tions, resolutions and teleerams
which have been sent to the Presi-
dent and members Of the Cabinet.
protesting against the unfair wage
reduction, I had hoped that the mat
ter would be given the attention
which its Importance and effect
warrants.
Thirty Years of Cooperation.
Columbia Lodge. 174, Information
al Association of Machinists, for
more than thirty years has cooper
ated with the Navy Department and
OFFICERS at the navy yard in max
ing the Washington naval gun fac
tory one OF the finest and most eff
cient establishments in the country.
"Gy reducing the artisans salary
to the point where they can no
longer provide their families with
the necessities of life, the Navy De-
partment has destroyed the morale
OF the plant and is causing men
who have spent years in learning
the art OF gun and torpedo making
to seek employment in private es-
Establishments.
I'VE believe that 1t Is in the in
terest of the government to main.
tain this plant in a high state Of ef-
ficiency and to pay the employees at
least a living wage. The new scale
OF wages reduces their standard OF
living 35 per cent below the pre-
war standard, according to the sta
tistics Of the Labor Department.
This fact is admitted by the Navy
Department general wage board
In its report to the Secretary OF
the Navy.
VIII Continue Efforts.
The people of the United States
do not want economy practiced in
this matter. and I have been as
sured Of this fact by the many let
ters and telegrams I have received
from bankers. businessmen and
merchants, who have familiarized