Evening star., 1941-06-29
Standard Contracts
Seen SpeedingUp
Ship Construction
Lost of Sterilization
Conferences to Stort
In Chicago Tomorrow
By WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY.

Js ."
Maritime Commission officials yes
terday expressed the belief they
were well on the way to putting the
emergency shipbuilding program on
a smoothly operating base through
the medium of standard contracts
developed in the regional stabiliza-
ton conferences.
The last of these conferences,
that for the Great Lakes region, is
scheduled to get under way tomor-
row at Chicago, and officials who
left to participate felt sure ship
builders and labor leaders would be
able to come to agreements similar
to those in tn esTeas which have
been settled, the Gulf ports, and
Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.
Aside from the wage agreements,
one of the principal advantages of
the stabilzation arrangements, it
was said, is the fact that artisans
would be discouraged from moving
from one section of the country to
the other through the enticement of
higher wages.
PactS Discussed.
Officials pointed out that the Gulf
Coast conferences was precedent
making in that Government officials,
shfpbuilders, G. I. o. and A F. L. sat
around the same table in the con-
ferences, out of which came the
agreement. These stabiliZation pacts.
1t was said provide against wage
increases for year and prohibit
strikes as well as lockouts. How
ever, there is provision for addi-
tlonal compensation for the en-
ployes within year if they are
justified by living costs. If it is be-
heved that the workmen are entitled
to additional compensation, the
matter is to be referred to the
Bureau Of Labor Statistics, which
will conduct survey. If that
bureau finds that in a particular
area covered by stabilization
agreement the cost of living had
gone up. for instance, 5 per cent,
then the wage increase would be
that much.
While the Gulf Coast agreement
has been accepted by union leaders
of both factions, it was said they
would still have to be approved by
the locals. While the agreements
do not prevent or prohibit the
shipbullding personnel from migrat-
ing from one section of the country
to the other, nevertheless the Off
clalS pointed out that the agree
ments have removed the inducement
Of higher wages. and this, it is be-
lieved. will result in the men re-
naming in the areas in which they
now are employed.
Bottleneck of Workmen Seen.
However, officials point out that
from now on there will be an ever
increasing bottleneck in available
ship construction Workmen. The
peak of this bottleneck is expected
to be reached in October and con-
tipue through February, 1912, when
qualified men are expected to be
available asa result of the training
program started in shipyards some
months ago. Almost every yard has
scores Of men who are being trained
In ship construction and as fast as
these are qualified they will be
moved 70 the areas of greatest need,
or will relieve older men for trans
fer.
The commission announced yes
terday that such advances were be-
Ing made in the emergency con-
struction program on the 312 cargo
ships, that instead of the antici-
pated delivery Of one in December,
there will be 10 of the ships in
operation by December 81. The
who program was reported to be
from 80 to 80 days ahead of sched-
ule, and the commission said that
barring any unforeseen delays the
entire schedule of keel layings.
launchings and deliveries through
out 1912 will be greatly accelerated.