Evening star., 1941-12-21
Admiral GreensIade
Appeals 10 We|ders
Not 10 Call Strike
Workers at One Shipyord
Enter Plant After Officer
Makes Personal PIeu

BY the Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 20.-En-
emy submarines are preying on
shipping off the California coast
Rear Admiral John w. Greenslade
disclosed today as he took quick
steps to assure uninterrupted pro-
duction in shipyards.
In a formal statement the Ad-
n:iral, commandant of the 18th
Naval District, appealed to the
welders, who have threatened
nationwide work stoppage. to re-
main on their jobs to assure quick
replacement of all lost shipping
Admiral Greenslade went to
Richmond, Calf, late this after
noon and found 1000 men. who
were to go to work at 4:30 pm,
milling about the gates of the Todd
California Shipbuilding Corp.
The admiral called Heber Brown,
business representative Of the
United Weldors. into conference
and asked him to urge the men,
among whom were several hum
dred welders, to go to work.
Men Return To Tasks.
Mr.. Brown addressed the workers
and recommended that they re-
main out.
Then a loudspeaker car, bearing
Jack Reynolds, business agent OF
the Alameda County Building
Trades Council, and B. E. Brown,
business agent of the Structural
Iron Workers, drove to the plant
Mr.. Reynolds and Mr. Brown both
spoke, urging the men to enter the
plant and take up their tools. c. P.
Bedford. general superintendent for
Todd California, added his voice to
the appeal.
After much argument among the
workers a little knot of 10 or II
men broke away and entered the
plant. half dozen more fol-
lowed. Then, in groups Of five, 10,
IS and 20 the workers moved
through the gates. Finally only 20
of the original l200 remained.
About 20 others were believed to
have gone home before the through
the-gate march began.
Admiral Greenslade said if any
disturbance developed at the plant
he would ask the Army to provide
troops to protect workers.
Officials at the nearby Rich
mond Shipbuilding Corp. said all
their men had reported for work.
Union Dues Causes Row.
THE welders for some time have
been involved in jurisdictional
dispute over payment Of dues, men,
bers charging they were compelled
to spread their pay among several
different unions.
In the event that he finds it
necessary" the 18th Naval District
said, the admiral is prepared to
call upon the Army to furnish
troops to clear the way for welders
who desire to work to enter the
plants
In his personal statement the
admiral said the Navy definitely had
confirmed that enemy submarines
were preying on shipping off the
coast where residents have been re-
peatedly warned of imminent dam
ger.
Shipping lost to submarine at
tacks will have to be replaced If
the United States is to prosecute the
war successfully, the admiral said.
Several score welders stopped
work in bay area shipyards today
in a dispute with A. F. L. unions.
Several thousand other welders re-
manned on the job. Admiral Green
slade said the Navy was ''gratifled
by this evidence of patriotism"
Patriotism of Men Praised.
In view OF these circumstances
the Navy is gratified by the evi-
dence of patriotism displayed to-
day in the refusal of shipyard weld
ers in the bay area to 60 on strike"
the statement continued
Reports available at pm indi-
cate that only small fraction of
the total number of welders left
their job
To my mind no greater proof
could be offered of the basic intee-
rlty. patriotism and common-sen
of American Workmen.
1T is concrete demonstration OF
their aWareness that in this war
We are fighting. they share a re-
sponsiblilty with the men of the
armed services.
We have been informed that
the Japanese in starting this war,
banked heavely upon disunity
between American labor and in
dustry.
They apparently thought these
groups were selfish enough to play
into their hands
Effect of Stoppage Minimized.
Shipbuilding companies agreed
with Admiral Greenslade that the
effect of the work maneuver
had been negligible.
In Los Angles, however, spokes-
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