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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 5, 1917)
THE MORNING OKEGONlAN, " TRIdAt," OCTOBER I- S. 1917. EMPLOYERS BRIEF SHIPYARD STRIKE Demand of Employes Declared Violation of Most Sacred w Rights of Citizenship. CLOSED SHOP CONDEMNED Committee Kcpresenting Shipbuild ing Concerns Says Jt Is "Willing Make Concessions, - but rrinciplcs Must Be Upheld-. Tn a formal statement, issued yester day, the committee representing em ployers in the shipbuilding strike eit uation, after detailin? the conference proceedings, declared thut they could not accede to the demand for a. closed shop made ly the unions committee, becatise to do so would be "a startling denial that the lTnited States is a laud of freedom and of equal opportunity." It is also asserted by the members of the committee that the demand for the closed shop upon the part of unions of Portland and vicinity is in opposition to the declaration of Secre tary of Labor Wilson, as follows: It occurs to me that no stoppage of work should take place for the purpose of forcine recognition of the union." Another statement by the committee Is that, when they laid before the em ployes committee the facts, "t hey ad vised us that the present etrike was called- without the consent and, in fact, against the patriotic protest of the Kational heads of their organizations." . Kmployem State Position. The statement is as follows: Tho fmplovf ra represented by thin com mitten in rofusinj? to accede to the demand for m. I closed fchop. which would absolutely deny to any man not satisfactory to the union - the ripht to earn a livelihood, feel that tftey are standing for the principles of democracy -on which our Government rests. The proposition that unions by force. Intimidation or otherwise can deny the right of an emp'oyer 10 select his employes on the basis of industry and efficiency and can prohibit him from employing men who do not hold union cards is a start ling denial thflt the Vnited States is a land of freedom and of equal opportunity. .Furthermore th employers feel that they bave no option in this matter if they a,re to stand with the Government in- this time of stress. The Council of National Liefense appointed by President Wilson has con sidered the question of the relations of em ployer and employe undr the peculiar exi encic of the present war. In an attempt to insure industrial.! peace the Council of Xational Defense created a committee on labor, -directed ;md font rolled by represen tatives of the largest National labor unions, which committee,- at ter due deliberation, is vurd a at a temen t Intended -to declare certain fundamental policies of Industrial relation ship enuring the period of the war. Perhaps the -most striking sentence of this statement was the declaration: "Neither employers nor mployes shall endeavor to take advantage of the country's necessities to change ex isting standards." There can be no doubt that this . declaration tnea-ns tiat- no ad vantage shall be taken of our country's Tieccssities by labor organizations to force the ftanda rd of t hey closed shop on a com munity where a, closed shop did not exist before the war. Secretary of Labor Quoted. No lejss an authority than secretary of, I.a lor Wilson, a member of President Wil-1 son's cabinet-' has declared that this hi thej meaning .n C -this declaration and- the policy I ofour Government. j iiecause. of this policy adopted by the Council of Na t ion a I Tfense upon the recom mendation of the National leaders of la bor organizations, it is not surprising that when this fact was brought to the atten tion of the employes committee they ad vised us that the present strike was called without the con son t, and In fact against the patriotic protest of the National heads Of their organizations. Those res pons ble for the conditions now existing in Portland and in the Columbia River tlist rict have proceeded regardless of the warnimr of the heads of their own organizations, and they have turned a deaf ear to the call of the President for ships to tra nsport supplies to our soldiers. It is far from the minds of this com mittee to suggest any real want of patriotism on the part of the employes, who are- as anxiously awairing an adjustment of the unfortunate situation which has come about. s a re the em plovers and every member of the public. It Kleins to- us that the pressure of the ever increasing cost of the necessities of life, and the apprehension that smh in cra se will nn ti int by correspond i njj in creases in wanes havp in some way clouoVd the .hldement. and stent has been lost for the moment of the far-reaching consequences which may follow iroiu cessation of work so vital to the Nation There can. however, be no ground for t ea r that the Adjustment Boa rd represent ing the ITnited Mates, having ascertained local condlf ions, will fail to fix a schedule of wanes which will guarantee a fair return for all labor performed. The. finwl- attitude of the employes now A f fected by t he pending st rtke. whether they he union or non-union men. wil 1. we feel sure, be an attitude dictator! wholly by considerations of duty. They will have no fear of onerous conditions or that they will he asked to labor for an insufficient wace. Kven if the enforcement of such cond it ions were the desire of the employers, which none believe, public sentiment and I he power of the Government would make this impossible. - Position Made Clear. As slated above, the employers under take to practice no d iscrini in a t ion In the employment or discharge of union- or non- ",on men. and whatever may be the con troversy between employers and unions after the present war is ended, the thoughtful -onslderai4on of everyone is sought to the y-nbif announcement of Secretary of 1,a ror WHson. which appeared in our local jpress this day: Mr. Wilson said: 'Capital, has no right to interfere with frorkingmen organizing labor any more than he vorktnc man has a. right to interfere with the capitalists orsranixing capital. The two are on a parity on that point, and so n.v feeling is that in the present emergency t the employer has no right to interfere with yon in your efforts to organize the workers into unions, just as you h no rijcht to interfere wit h ca pit a lists organizing capil a I into corporation;. If you can get a condi tion where efforts to organize the workers are not interfered with and where ji scale of wages is - recocnized thst maintains the present standard of living, it occurs to me that for I the time, being no stoppage of work ehohid tw ke place for the purpose of forcing recognition of the union.' Respect fully submitted, KRir V. ITAPSRrt, JOSEPH SUPPLE. ' . A. V. SMITH. - V. B. BKKRK, M. It. HOl'SKR. Committer representing following employers: i;rxnt Smith. , Porter-Guthrie Company, N"ortb wejit Steel Company, Columbia River Shipbuilding Corporation. Supple & Pallin Shipbuilding Corporation. peninsula. Ship huilding Company, G. M. Standifer Con struction Corporation. McKachern. Ship Com p;nv. American Shi pbnildlnc Company. YOU ARE PARTLY MADE OF IRON That is. iron is an essential constit uent of pure, healthy blood. Peptiron. the new iron tonic, com bines pepsin. Iron, nux, celery and other blood and stomach tonics that physiciajis prescribe. It is a wonderful corrective of ane mia, paleness, languor, nervounnesd whether- caused by hard work, worries over-use of salts and other blood-de-plet insr cathartics tha r a re doinc so much harm to many people just now or any "other cause. Peptiron will re store th.e iron strength that, you must bave for-cheerful- performance of daily Jut ies. . . - Peptiron tf in convenient pill form, chocolate-coated and pleasant to take. Get it today. Adv. Motor Ship Construction Company, Coast Shipbuilding Company. Albtna Engine &. Ma chine Works, St. Helens Shipbuilding Com pany, Cieorge F. Rodgers Company, Wilson Brothers Shipbuilding Company. To the Public: The undersigned have been acting; as a committee under appointment by the em ploying shipbuilders of the Columbia River district for the purpose of effecting a set tlement of the strike which for the past two weeks has threatened to paralyze the bhip building industry. We have met In repeated conferences with a committee representing the striking em ployes. The employes committee comprises the following: Charles M. Bottomley, C. F. Palmer. C. K. Kidd, William McKeuzie and Ft. A. Mclnnis. These conferences have been held in con junction with i. Y. Harry, Federal mediator appointed by the United Stales Secretary of I,abor. .Before the conferences commenced the city of Portland assigned Kugene Smith, f ormeriy president of the Central I ..a bor Council, an a mediator, but the committee representing the employes refused to meet t he representative of the city, and conse quently Mr.- Smith has been excluded from the conferences. From the beginning we have assured the committee of the employes that the employ ing shipbuilders were ready to leave to the Federal Adjustment Board the determina- tlon of all questions at issue, and to abide by such determina tion. whatever it might be. , This board is now en route to the Coast from "Washington, I-. C.. and will hold hearings in - this city immediately' upon its arrival here. j, 11 edge Made to Employes. . " The suggestion was tr ci made that all matters might not be ftermined by the Board, and we at once, gave t,heHSurance that if the men would return to work the employing shipbuilders would not only abide by any decision of the Boarl. but would im mediately upon the announcement of the Board's decision - resume the. conferences with the employes committee for. the settle ment of any matters not determined by the Board. These offers were 'declined hy the em ployes' committee; - We thereupon requested a statment of the conditions on which, the men would return to work and were in formed that they would return if the em ployers "signed up" an agreement with the Metal Trades Council and affiliated union organizations, which was presented us. This proposed agreement required all' employes to become members .of . the union within :H) days. It also provided that the employers could not require their employes to work on any material coming from the establishment of any other employer who should be de clared "unfair" by the Metal Trades Coun cil, meaning, as we understand, an employer who insisted upon the ilght to employ non union as well as union men. . The employing shipbuilders represented by us declined to sign an agreement for a. closed shop and we thereupon .-urged upon the employes' committee, to seprify the con ditions under which the men would return to work, hoping that they would state their grievances and afford us an opportunity of satisfying their demands if possible. This request has been entirely Ignjpred. and the only answer at any time received has been: "Sign the Metal Trades Council agreement j and the men will return to work." In- : deed, the chairman of the employes com- ! mittee stated that the committee had no , authority to make any agreement other than i the one proposed, and. although ample op- , portunity has been given to secure such i authority no other otter has at any time been made. i Employe Attitude Surprise. On Tuesday. October '2. after the strike ! had been in effect for over two weeks, the employes' committee requested us to state j the conditions of employment which the em- ployers were willing to offer. This request j seemed to us most unusual and. In fact, j extraordinary, for the reason that the em- . ployes and not the employers were the ones who elected to cease work and the natural , course to be pursued would have been for , those dissatisfied with conditions to specify the conditions under which they would re- 1 mime work. However, In the Interest of i the continuance of the industry and in or der that no effort might be wanting on our j part to adjust all dlfterences, whatever they j might be, we Immediately submitted this re- j quest tp the employers and made prompt answer the next day. Wednesday. October :. complying literally with the request of ' the employes' committee. At their request we used the proposed Metal Trades Council agreement as a basis for our reply and made specific answer to each of the demands there expressed. Our answer Is set forth at length hi the published statement of the proceedings of the conferences, but in brief It is as follows: I. The employers decline to sign the pro posed agreement with the union organ i na tions, but each employer expresses a willlne ness to adjust all differences with his work men, both union and non-union. 2. That employers consent to an eight hour day, which has at all times been in ef fect, but because -of the necessities .of com pleting ships for Government use during time of war decline to cut the eight hours to four on Saturday. 3. The employers decline, in advance of the determination by the Federal Adjust -ment Board, to increase, the present allow ance of time and one-ha If to double time for' overtime worked. They consent, how ever, to abide by any decision of the Federal Adjustment Board. Labor Par Holiday Conceded. 4. The employers consent that no work shall be performed on Labor day. 5 and 6. The employers propose that if any grievance exist which cannot be set tled between the plant foremen and the em ployes, to take such grievances up for set tlement with a committee chosen by the employe aggrieved from the other employes of the plant This will, of course, permit a cgrieved employes to select members of their unions from among the- plant employes, if they so desire. 7. The employers decline to require a'l employes to become members of a union us demanded. 5. , In answer to the demand that the employes be paid every Sal urday. the em ployers state that in their opinion the pres ent method paying twice a month is more satisfactory to all concerned than paying every Saturday, but that they are willing to consider any matter relating to time and manner of payment upon request of their employes. n. The employers consent to paying im mediately the wages due any employe when quitting voluntarily or when laid off. 10. The em ploy era decline to agree that the men may "refuse to work on anv work or for any emnloyer that has been declared unfair by the Metal Trades Council." I I. The employers decline the demand that representatives of the unions shall have access to their plants. 12 The employers consent to provide a trained nurse at all times when men are at work. This has been the uniform practice at practically all plants. 1.1. The employers decline the request to put In force all rules and conditions pre vailing In San Francisco for the reason that no information is furnished as to the nature of these rules and conditions. 14. The employers decline' to agree that all work shall be performed by union men. 1 The employers offer to submit all question of wages to the Federal Adjust ment Board and undertake to make any increase fixed by the hoard retroactive from this dale If directed by the board. 1. The employers reject the proposal that any settlement shall be subject to ter mination on HO da ys notice, but propose that if their offer be accepted by their em ployes it shall, subject to change in wage schedule direcUd by the Federal Adjustment Board, continue until the close of the war. Equal Chance to All Promised. The employers, although not requested so to do. pledge themselves to practice no dis crimination In employing or discharging union or non-union men. MRS. DUDLEY FINED $100 Proprietress of Holly Lodge Pleads Guilt j-; 'AVllbur Case Pending. Mrs. C. Dudley, proprltrrss of Holly Iodg:. 'Wednesday- pleaded fruilty in District Judge Bell's court to a viola tion of the prohibition law and was fined $100 on recommendation of the District Attorney. In view of the fact that Mrs. Dudley pleaded gruilty. it was recommended that similar charges against four of her employes be dismissed, it was so ordered. The case of Julius Wilbur and five of his employes, arrested at Claremont Tavern, is still pending:. The District Attorney's office has brought civil suits for abatement of both resorts.. . .. If You Casn Get a M odern Fho This Latest Grafonola Offer Means Education, Entertainment and Keen Enjoyment to Every Home If you want to be one of the lucky ones and own one of these beautiful " high-grade in struments, and records, come in now and make 'your selection. . . 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It is our purpose to bring joy and happiness to every, home, and, therefore, we are going to make the terms so easy that everybody can become the proud possessor of this mar velous instrument and splendid selection of records. Will Send on Free Trial If you have any doubts whatsoever as to the value of this exceptional offer, let- us send one to your home, play it to your heart's content; it will not cost; you a . cent. - You will be under no obligation. If at the end of five days you are not entirely satisfied in every way, we will cheerfully send for it. . - . I mm CTlOO a 1 If you prefer a portable type of machine, ask to see the splendid combination offer for only $39.25, payments only $1 a week. Write us for lllustra tions and complete description. 1 1 fkyz&prjr h - -3 Broarlwav at Airier 3 FUNERAL MEN MEET STATE l'M)EBTAKKRS' CO.WEX. TION FAR FKO.U SOLEMN" AFFAIR. Hlfch Coftt of KuneralM Problem to Be Tackled by Asembled Director at Session Today. With banquets, dancinq: and auto rides, the loth annual convention of the Oregon Kuneral Liirectors' Association is proving to be far from a solemn affair. The convention opened yesterday morning: at the Hotel Portland and more than 50 members responded at rollcall. and double the number are ex pected! to appear today. JJr. Luther Ly ott addressed the nieetinp yesterday morninjf. the opening of the question box. which dealt with problems of the profession, following. A measure was introduced which will probably be presented to the next Lpr islature. requiring all undertakers to be licensed eml'almers. . While no scale of prices was set by the association on funerals, it is prob able that with the cost of caskets, em balming materials, hearses, motorcar upkeep, and other things incidental to the undertaking business advancing, the undertakers 'this morning will at tempt to solve the problem of the high cost of funerals. Yesterday afternoon the delegates visited the Portland Crematorium and last night they were entertained by ". U. Klnley's bird lecture in the as sembly -room. At noon today the funeral directors will be guests at a luncheon tendered by the Oregon Casket Company, and tonight, following their annual banquet, they will trip the latest dance steps to the music of a iwr. orchestra. o'clock, and will last through Wednes day. At this meeting a moderator will be elected to take the place of Rev. S. W. Seeraann, D. D.. whose term ex pires. The standing committees for the next three years will also be appointed at this time. In connection" with the Presbytery there will be an evening meeting on Tuesday at 7:30 P. M.. which takes the form of a Sunday school institute. An effort is being made to have all the Presbyterian Sunday school teachers and superintendents present at that meeting. The programme follows: Theme, "Sunday School Evaneelism." 1, scitional meetinira: (a) junior and primary c Olil'ei-ence. "What a Child Should Have from Sunday SUrhool at l'J Vara of Age," Mrs. A. R. Slaufton. leader; b senior and adult conference. "Lift Up Tour Kyes Unto tl-e Harvest." Rev. C. A. Phtpps, leader: -. Klf-ral meeting. "The Sunday School and the Present Crisis," Xtev. John K. Boyd, L). 15. Cowlitz Pioneer Dead. KELSO. Wash.. Oct. 4. (Special. 1 Simeon Kush, an early settler in this county, passed away at the ban Bush home at La Ou, west of Kelso. Wednesday. Mr. Bush lived, in Cowlitz County for many years. Later he I moved to Lewis County, where be con tinued to reside until about three years ago, when he moved back to Cowlitz County. D. W. Bush,' Sr., of Portland, is a brother. JOB HUNTERS SURPRISED Irate Citizen, and Hot Complaint Figure in Civil Service Quiz. Applicants for petition as assistants to City Commissioners ran head-on into an irate citizen, and taxpayer yesterday as a. part or a. municipal civil service examination given to de termine the qualifications of appli cants. The applicants were called in turn into a room adjoining that, where the examination was held and there put face to face with X. G. Pike, who took the role of irate citizen and taxpayer. Mr. Pike had a red-hot complaint lor each, and the aplicants were rated on the diplomacy with which Mr. Pike was .handled. It was an unusual and unexpected part of the examination. Those who took the examination P0ST0FFICE FUNDS TAKEN William F. Heady, Postmaster at Waldport, Sentenced to Prison. William V. Keady. a son of the late W.. P. Keady, pioneer citizen of Oregon, was ' sen tenced yesterday to serve 13 months in the .McNeil's Island Federal penitentiary by Federal Judge Bean on his plea of guilt yto having embezzled $1840.13 in small amounts from money order funds at the Waldport. Or., post office, where he was postmaster. Marion i". Dolph, Mr. Keady's attor ney, laid stress upon the defendant's previous good character and extenuat ing circumstances. Judge Bean. in passing sentence, said that the crime of which Mr. Keady was guilty was a. betrayal of trust, an offense loo serious to be overlooked. Council to Cut Red Tape. To permit the City Council to be called into session in case of an emer gency at any. time an ordinance will be. submitted to the Council next Wednesday eliminating most of the red tape now involved in calling such a session. At present it . requires three or four days to get a special meet ing. Under the new plan it will be necessary only to advertise the meet ing in the . newspapers and notify, the Commissioners 21 hours before the meeting. CTREETS TO 30 TO PLANTS Kxtcnsions in South Portland to Tic 31a dc Soon. Street extensions for the benefit of shipbuilding plants in South Portland sre to be proposed by City Commis sioner Barbur as soon as definite in formation as to the street needs of the plants can be gathered. There has been some complaint about the streets leading to the waterfront property not being open so as to form either inlets or outlets for traffic to the plants. Commissioner Barbur says he la ready to put through the neces sary proceedings as soon as those in terested will indicate what is Wanted. The subject was considered at a meet ing in Mr. Barbur's office Wednesday attended by a committee of the Cham ber of Commerce. MODERATOR TO BE ELECTED Portland Presbytery to Hold Sunday School Institute. The Presbytery of Portland will hold Us regular Kail meeting in the First Presbyterian Church house, beginning Tuesday afternoon, October- 3, at 2 on'fi Forgeft Fast Epidemics. Disease germs which have lain dormant all Winter will come to life in the Spring, just as plants do. Such germ-life means a return of last year's scourges with their toll on human happiness. Where are those germs hidden, and where will thejr breed forth into an epidemic? Perhaps in your own home, in your family's midst. That happens often where the house is cleaned with soap and water only. If germs, so prevalent last Summer, have lodged in parts of your home, and there await the call of Sum mer to attack your family, you can exterminate them with the regular use of Lysol. Thrmm mixamt 25 e, 50c mndfi. 00 Sold mvaryuihtra I Disinfectant A 25c bottle makes two gallons of reliable disin fectant; a 50c bottle makes five gallons. . Us .this solution in scrubbing floors and woodwork, ass it to dampen brooms and mops. You will thus kill gsrms lodged in cracks and crevicss of the wood. Pour it into garbage pails a common breeding place for germs and cleanse with it ths sinks, drains, toilets, cuspidors, wherever dirt or gresse collects. Then your home will be germ-proof, a safe place for your family. Tbera is but Ons Tras Lysol thatmads, bottled, sealed and signed by Lehn A Fink. , " Lysol Toilet Soap Lysol Toilet Soap contains Lysol, and therefore protects the skin from germ infection. It is refreshingly soothing and healing and helpful for improv ing the skin. Ask your dealer. If he has none, ask him to order it for you. Lysol Shaving Cream Lysol Shaving Cream also contains Lysol, and kills germs on rasor- and shaving brush (where germs abound), guards the tiny cats from infection, and gives the antiseptic shave. If yoar dealer has none, ask hlta to order supply tot you - fs . were Lorene linsmore. If. A. Oodc. Albert G. Johnson, Charles K. John son and Peter Mcintosh. From the list of those passing the test perma nent apointments will be made. The positions now . are held by temporary appointees. MANY IN NEED OF WOOD City Kxpectetl Soon to Be Able to Fill Orders. . Mayor Baker and City Commissioner TCellaber are receiving ! rcr" numbers of letters from residents who have been unable to buy fuel and who want to purchase from the city. Commissioner Kellaher rays his let ters are principally from the Kast Side and indicate that efforts have been made to obtain fuel of almost every kind without success. Kids for wood to enable the city to go into the business will be called for within a few days. Commissioner Kellrher says the first bids to t" called for will be for stumpage. BtdH then will be asked for cutting ami hauling the wood. Also bids will be invited for wood already cut. If prices are right the city may make pur chases first of wood already cut, let tinsr th. cnttiner co until later. r HABIT 'T'HERE was once a email boy. with --a clever mother. She airi "Henry, promise me you'll brush. your teeth every night just before you take off your' shoes. That'll remind you. "Sure, I promise,' said Henry, "pretty soon it'll be summer and then I'll go barefoot." Summer came, and Henry went barefoot. But he kept right on brushing his teeth not only at night but in the morning and after each meal. The habit clung maybe ' because Henry liked the clean, cool tang of S. S. White Tooth Paste a clean, pure white cleanser, made on sound dental principles. Tour druggist has it. Sign snd mail the coupon below for a copy of our booklet, "Good Teeth; How They Grow And How To Keep Them." THE S. S. WHITE DENTAL MFG. CO. MOUTH AND TOTLCr Fit KPARJl l"tO.S 211 SOUTH 12th ST. PHILADELPHIA - j . iJakL-, a. dUKstdsMBaBli irT TTS'TVIN.T Please send me a copy of 'Good, leeth : tjou; JheyGrm ami LAjUjrJ.N Vou to KctpThern.: aisi a. ta-mple tuie ofSS.VJhxlc JoothPatU Kami. . ADDRESS.
