Evening star., 1939-10-01
Skilled>Labor Shortage Besets
American Shipbuilding Plans
Government and Unions Join Hands to Supply
Rising Demand for Mechanics; Canvasses
Seek Over.4O Unemployed
By WilLian J. Wheafley.

ton plant, and 1t has been suggested
that legislation be adopted providing
for an increase in the hours Of employ
ment In navy yards In order that the
construction program might proceed
expeditiously.
Inconsistency Seen.
Should an emergency arise necessitat.
ing such drastic measure, undoubtedly
the labor organizations, their oficials
say, would respond as they have always
done In the past. But they add that
with an army of approximately II ,000, 900
unemployed in the country 1t would
seem inconsistent with the oft-reiterated
desire OF the administration to create
employment for the army of unem-
ployed If these jobless workers were
ignored and the hours of those now en-
ployed extended beyond the stipulated
hours governing navy yard employment.
Restrictions of the immigration laws
nave deprived the employers of the
United States of the opportunity of i'm
porting European-trained mechanics, it
was pointed out. One reason for these
restrictions was the alleged tendency of
american employers to commercialize
on the desire of European workmen to
obtain admission into the United States.
therefore. it was asserted, apprentice
ship training has not been developed as
thoroughly as it should have been, Until
the advent of the mass production sys.
tenn, which Is largely responsible for the
creation OF industrial specialists, ap-
premiership training in the United
States was making good progress. The
unionists say that 1t is to be regretted
tnat coenlzance was not taken of the
apprentice problem in time to develop
American mechanics for the shipbuild-
ing industry.
1t was pointed out that stringently an.
piled employment age limits exclude men
OF middle age from shipyard employ.
ment, although they may be physically
and mechanically qualified to perform
any service within the Jurisdiction of
their respective trades. Equally restric.
tive physical examinations bar the EN-.
ployment OF men who may have soma
minor disability, such as imperfect vision,
defective nearing, etc. In an emergencv
such as now confronts the Navy and
the shipbuilding industry these men
might first be taken on the work rolls
Fear Wage Dislocations.
The trade organizations are alarmed
somewhat by the tendency in some areas
10 induce men to come to certain yards
oy unprecedented wage offers. While
organized labor has always advocated
equitable wage schedules, drastic vaee
dislocations are viewed with appre-
hension,
Already. 1t was said, navy ward en-.
ployes, whose wages are predicated
upon the wages paid in private industry.
are directing attention to the fact that
certain crafts IN private shipyards are
being offered wages far in excess of tho
Federal workers. Ominous rumblinps
are beginning to emanate from artisans
IN privately operated shipyards against
wage dif1erentials between trades of
comparable scale. Obviously, it was ex.
planned, mechanic whose trade is dis
aovantaged resents the establishment
ana application OF wide wage differ
entails as a stigma upon his particular
craft, even though the gulf Is the re-.
suit OF theoretical shortage of me.
chanics IN the craft favored by the ad.
vanced wage schedules.
With the naval and merchant marine
shipbuilding program well started and
gathering momentum from month to
month. it would be most unfortunate to
the country, to industry, to employ
ment and to the national defense If the
work should suffer because of obstacles
that could be removed by the full CO.
operation Of those concerned. A CO.
ordinatlng step that has been suggested
is the convening Of q national confer.
ence OF shipbuilders and labor. The
conferees could examine all industrial
problems peculiar to tho industry, ex-
plore the probability Of labor shortaee
and take remedial measures,