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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 3, 1919)
TTTE MORXIXG OTIEGONTAX, 3IOXDAY, FEBTITJAttY 3, 1019. TT ism acts That the Mem Must Recoseize: TT I ) 3 Mr V 1 i -J Statement No. 1 Is an agreement solemnly entered into between representatives of tKe Government and repre sentatives of the shipyard workers a covenant that is binding on both sides, binding on every indi vidual represented therein, or is it to be broken at will?, Do the men in the shipyards realize that the question of wages in the yards is not one between the shipyard workers and the yard owners, but is between the shipyard workers and the Emergency Fleet Corporation, representing the Government of the United States? Do the men in the yards realize that both the Government on one hand and the men on the other have during the life of the Shipbuilding Labor Adjustment Agreement, the so-called Macy agreement, surrendered final decision on all.mattersof wage, hours and conditions to the determination of three men, one representing the people of the United States and appointed by the President of the United States, one appointed by Samuel Gompers, representing the shipyard workers, and one appointed jointly by the Navy arid the Emergency Fleet Corporation? Do the men appreciate that this agreement was drawn up after the most careful consideration in August, 1917, which was amended after a week's conference in December, 1917, attended by Mr. Gompers, the international presidents and delegates from Seattle and San Francisco Metal Trades Council, that it was signed by representatives of the Navy, the Emergency Fleet Corporation, and, on behalf of the men by the International presidents? The present agreement is as perfect an instrument for adjudicating industrial differences as has yet been devised. It provides all of the machinery necessary. It is complete. There is no room for outside mediation. It is final and binding on both sides. In order to give either side redress the awards are made for relatively short periods only, so that an unfair decision cannot be long continued. - The decisions and awards of the Macy Board have resulted in wage increases that will cost the Government more than THREE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($300,000,000) on the shipbuilding programme, yet the Government has unflinchingly accepted the burden which the board's decision has imposed on it. In the present case the rates have been fixed by the Macy BoarcT, not only for the Pacific Coast, hut for the Great Lakesthe Atlantic and Gulf yards as well. The appeal from the decision of the board to the Board of Appeal failed. The decision is final because no other opportunity for reopening the case exists until after March 31, when thapresent award expires. Are the men going to stick to their side of the bargain? That is the question at issue. And if they do not is there any assurance that any agreement hereafter can be considered binding? The Emergency Fleet Corporation considers itself bound by its agreement with labor to observe the existing award until its expirationn. It can consent to no changes, no modifications, in one dis trict without breaking faith with the men in all other districts. It must, therefore, insist that tlie award be carried out to its termination. While the armistice ended hostilities it did not end the shipbuilding labor adjustment agreement. The shipyard workers of the Seattle district gave such an excellent account of them selves during the war and impressed me so strongly as sane, loyal, conscientious Ameri cans that I appeal to their sense of fairness to go back to work and stick by the agree ment until it expires on March 31. In the meantime a joint conference can determine what is to be done after that. A statement of the future plans of the Emergency Fleet Corporation will appear in this space tomorrow. ' CHARLES PIEZ, Director-General United States Shipping Board Emer gency Fleet Corporation. Philadelphia, February 2, 1919. i N to r t w n !!! M I 1 M i f! is si n 1 f. 1 4 i