Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-22
WAGE OUT PROTEST
FROM HOOVER DAM
BRINGS u. S ACTION.
DOak Orders Federal Agencies
to Correct Evils Cited
BY Labor Chief.
SIX CONTRACTORS NAMED
IN GREEN'S G0MPLA Amt
Federation Head Declares. Workers
Paid Rarely Enough, to Live
Despite Many HaIdships,

The Federal Employment Service and
the Bureau Of Conc i1iation OF the Labor
Department were called upon today BY
Secretary Doak 70 adjust working con-
ditions at Hoover Dam after he had re-
cetyed complaints from William Green.
president or the American Federation
Of Labor, that contractors were. forcing
wages below prevailing western rates.
The Labor Secretary informed the bu-
reeus that they must Immediately
"straighten out the matters complained
Of
Mr.. Green's complaints were based on
q protest sent 10 the executive council
Of tho federation BIZ Central Trades
Council OF Las Vegas. Rey., accusing The
six companies building the dam OF feTc-
jng wages below DECENT living condi-
tons.
Fears WIDER Effects.
We feel that it is a crime against
humanity the Las Vegas Trades Colln-
Gil asserted in It's official protest. 10 ask
men 70 work IN that hell-hole Of heat
at Boulder Dam for a mefe pittarce
Just enough 70 Keep their bellies fun and
clothes on their backs.
II labor conditions at. Boulder Dam
are, permitted to go on as. they are, We.
believe. it Is. going to affect labor like
a cancer. These conditions will spread
X The SIX companies get away With II. >
Mr.. Doak, ii. replying 10 President
Green. said this project does not
come within the provisions OF the pre-
Vaiiing rate Law. but iflrne diately upon
receipt OF information several da-s ago
Of the strike ct boulder Dam. got n
telephontc communication with the
LEGAL representatives Of the United
States Employment Service. and also
With the state director At Reno. who
was directed to proceed at once to Las
Vegas to lend every possible assistance
ne could III the. situation and 70 keep
nae informed daily By wire.
Canal Plans. 10. he, Made.
We have. also requested Commits
sioner Of Cancellation e. n, Fitzgerald
OF Los Angeles 70 60 TO Las Vegas and
70 Use MS good Office In every possible
way 70 stIaigh.en out the matters COM
planned Of.
Meanwhile negotiations looking toward
construction Of the S5D,0oo. ono All
The Colorado River to nearly 1000, 0DO
ACRES Of arid land IN Southern Cali
feYnis, wlA soon be under way between
Reclamation Bureau of5eisls and rep
Tesentstiyss Of the irrigation districts
concerned The ALL American Canal IS
part 81 the Boulder Dam project.
The Reclamation Bureau today re-
ceiyed notification from, Cnafles. L.
Childers, attorney for the Imperial fFTi-
CATION District, that an agreement had
been reached With the users In the. dis
tEtcts Involved. A. conference With hn-
rean officials to negotiate CONTRACT for
repayment o. the COST Of constructing
the canal MAS set Tor September 7.
Construction Of the All American
canal was authorized By Congress as Il
part o. the Boulder Canyon project, bus,
spprop!i stions have been held ID pend.
Ing negotiation Of a contract.
WH Cest s2s,5e0. eco.
The canal would carry water from the
Colorado River into the rich Imperial
and CoAchelis. valleys Of Southern cali
fnInia. Congress authorized ar Appro-
priation Of SD ,5oQ, GOO f9r building the
main 75-r mile canal, bat did not provide
FOR the estimated 81 ], 600 o0 additional
needed Tor the tJ5-naiie branch 20
Coachella Valley