Evening star., 1941-11-10
Admiral Calls
11.Job WaIkout
Open Revolt =.
Commundunt Told
To Take Title to All
Materials, Vehicles
Earlier Story on Page A-1.)
2y tho Associated Press


900 900 of naval construction in the
San Diego tCaifD area promptly
brought Navy Department order
to Rear Admiral Charles A. Blakely
TO take necessary steps" 10 carry
the work forward
Admiral Blakely, commander Of
the 1lth naval district there had
characterized the walkout as an
open revolt against the United
States Government" and declared
that the Navy would take full con-
stituted authority to suppress the
revolt
He was instructed to take title 10
all materials at point of origin under
all contracts and to vehicles belong
ing to the contractors and TO use
such labor as can be obtained" to
keep the work going
Force to Be Used "If Necessary"
Under such action the materials
and vehicles become the property
of the Government and will be pro-
tected by Government forces if nee
essary." the Navy said Admiral
Blakely was ordered to have naval
and marine guards ready TO protect
Government property and to MAIN
tain order"
The dispute involves $500 building
workers and II construction prof.
ectS.
The Constitution of the United
States" said Admiral Blakelv,
grants tc its citizens the right TO
free assemblage but that sacred
document does not permit individ-
uals to bludgeon the United States
Government And. fully intend TO
see that certain San Diego labor
leaders do not bludgeon the United
States Navy.
Labor leaders have refused TO
abide by their national organiza-
tion's agreement with the Navy and
in today's continued stoppage of
1 work they now are defying only one
contractor-the United States Gov
eminent.
Before the strike started, the ad-
miral declared that the Navy would
import labor, if necessary, to take
| Vic .pId(C VI Sl4 AhlliS WI hCl
Held Defiance of Agreement.
The strike was declared by the
Navy to be in defiance of A. F. L.
no-strike agreements and of the
o. P. NJ.
! The strike also ignores the wage
! determinations of the Labor and
Navy Departments and refuses ar
bitration. the Navy said, accusing
union officials of fatty refusing to
submit the question to the Board
I of Review.
| Hence. the statement said, the
/ department takes the position that
| there is no alternative but to in.
! form the commandant that the
work must go forward with such
labor as can be obtained for the
| purpose
All contractors reported that the
strike, called in support of de-
/ mand for a wage increase Of 81 a
day, was 100 per cent effective and
| that no immediate effort would be
made TO resume operations. Only a
! few workers went through informal
picket lines.
Three Courses Possible.
Admiral Blakely, in stating the
Navy could not tolerate further
delay in its vital construction pro-
| gram outlined three courses of
action which would be taken to
effect work resumption.
Union labor will be given full
opportunity to fill its former posts,
or contracts. will be authorized to
obtain employees from all available
sources. or, finally, the Navy would
terminate all contracts and accept
workers under full Federal civil
service provisions.
K G. Bitter, secretary Of the
Building Trades Council told strik-
ers at a meeting this morning that
he was seeking a conference with
Government agencies. and expected
some answer within "a hours.
He did not say whether he had
made some settlement offer which
might be acted on in that time
John Murray, Los Angeles inter-
national representative of the car
penters, told the craftsmen he be-
lieved the wage demands were JUS
1 titled.
Richard Gray, acting president,
appealed to the heads Of various
unions within the A. F. L. Building
Trades Department to order the
striking A. F. L. craftsmen back to
work
Mr.. Gray said he was contracting
the union leaders by telephone and
advising them that the strike was
violation of the stabilization agree
ment between the Building Trades
Department and the Government.
Under this the A. F. L. building
unions agreed not to strike against
defense projects.