The Washington times., 1923-06-12
NAVY YARD PAY
INCREASE IS
ASSURED,
NAkHA
Admiral J. K. Robinson Reports
For Board That Raises
Are Necessary.

Washington navy yard employees
-blacksmiths, boiler makers, COM
mon laborers, and all classea Of
workers-were given definite as
surances OF Increased pay by the
naval departmental board today.
II am convinced that the situa-
ton not only in washington, but
in all navy yard cities, calls for a
readjustment Of wages" declared
Admiral J.. X. Robinson, chairman
Of the board. There is no doubt
in my mind that increases are
necessary. The employees may take
it for granted that the board has
knowledge of current industrial
conditions"
Admiral Robinson indicated dis
sent from the findings of the local
navy yard wage board, which
granted average increases to the
workers OF cents an hour. He did
not, however, take up the wage
whether the thought the increases
granted should be increased by the
departmental board.
James O'Connell, vice president Of
the American Federation Of Labor,
made the opening statement on be-
half Of the labor unions before the
board this morning.
Workers Forced to Leave.
Uncle Sam should be the model
employer" he said. '"The wages
he pays should be ut least az high
as those paid by private employers
for similar work. His workers
should maintain high morale. they
should be the best in the country
In their various branches.
1T is no exaggeration to say
that the Governments colors are
trailing in the dust now he con-
yards are 30 low that skilled work.
ers are forced to leave the navy
yards and find work elsewhere.
Some OF them find the navy's wages
for skilled work are less than other
employers pay for common labor.
You will find that an un-Ameri-
can standard OF living 10 being
forced upon many Navy Yard work.
ers. It 10 q situa lion which calls
for remedy without delay. Our
union workers have always. in the
past accepted wage arbitrations and
awards without any threat OF strike
or OF leaving the navy employ. I
do not mean to imply there will be
any strike now IL the Departmental
Board sees the facts differently from
the way In which we do. But we
earnestly hope that the board will
realize that the danger line has
been reached with regard to wages.
The navy yards n1sy not be able to
hold some Of their best and most
valuable workers unless they can
obtain adequate pay"
Rejects Wage Data Plan.
Resentment was expressed by
O'Connell. on behalf OF all Of the
metal trades, that the local board
has gone to the National Association
Of Manufacturers for wage data. for
comparative purposes. He said that
only an ex parte wage statement
could be gained from such q source.
He also said the practice OF accept
pay In private plants whore bonus
and piecework systems prevail was
unfair. He declared that the actual
earnings Of employees in private
plants, rather than the technical
AOAI1y IdAUb GAAOOAO DO NAO NS~CAS Va
comparison in establishing the navy
yard rates.
L. e. Franklin, president Of the
National Boiler Makers Union, was
heard by the board in q detailed dis.
cussion OF wages affecting all Of the
navy yards. Representatives Of a
score or more of trade classifications
were heard in brief arguments.
N. P. Atlas, president Of District
No. A, International Association OF
Machinists, presented the case on
behalf of ali the machinists' classifi.
cations. The hearing probably will
be continued tomorrw. It is under
stood that all Of the local Navy
Yard boards have made their re-
ports to the Naval Departmental
Board with two exceptions. Admiral
Robinson will convene the board for
detailed consideration Of the wage
differentials az soon as the hear
ingS are concluded.