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r 0p.) https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 0T2-c2 r\).1...)62 Co , All communications should be accompanied by carbon copy and addressed to WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE To insure prompt attention, In replying refer to PRODUCTION DIVISION WASAINGTON No. _ Attention of September 24, 1918. .3-5845 From: Women° Branch, Industrial Service Section. To: Chief, Industrial Service Section, Major B. H. Gitchell. Subject: Request of the Tacony Ordnance Corporation for exemption to employ women on the night shift. 1. Attention is invited to the attached reports, and correspondence re petition of the Tacony Ordnance Plant for ex. emption allowing them to employ women on a third, 8 hour shift, from 10 P. M. - 6 A. M. (See attached copy of peti. tion dated September 9, 1918, addressed to Secretary of Mar.) 2. The following are salient https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis features of the situation: (a) Production necessity contracts behind schedule (see Ortached reports on plant from Progress Soo. tion) (b) The Tacony Ordnance Corporation, as a result of a misunderstanding, has been employing women on a night shift, contrary to the State Law, since June 1913 without certificationof emergency from the Secretary of War, and without permit from State authorities. (e) IMELMENI_MANZa The present total of women in the plant is 27, employed as follows: Crane operators Pyrometer readers Band Saw Operators, Watchers Tool Room Clerks Mb MD 13 6 5 3 (d) Lula Plant operates on three, 8 hour shifts beginning at 8 A. M. with a 30 minute lunch period in each shift, and two 10 minute rest periods in each shift. (e) WAGES Women replacing men are started at lower rate than men( see page #2 of report of Major Greene to Col. Jamieson.) (0 WORKING CONDITIONS New plant with good working conditions, ger. vice facilities, first aid room. (g) EMPLOYMENT UANAGARNT Centralized employment Bureau. Women applicants interviewed by a woman. (n) TRAUPOTATION At present inadequate, 3. Summary The attached reports, etc., show that production nem,. sities demand that this plant operate on as near a 24 hour schedule as is possible; that there is a shortage of male labor of the type necessary to perform opera.. time now carried on by women; that the women already employed have proved successful; that if women are to be employed it is necessary that they rotate with the shift of men with which they are accustomed to work. This is particularly true in the case of crane opera.. tora where team work between crane operators and foremen is an important feature; that the number of women, at present 27, will probably not increase above 50, because of the nature of the work at this plant, which does not permit of the extensive use of women; that the working conditions fvom a point of view of safety, oanitation and supervision are satisfactory. 4. Recommendations The %mans Branch therefore recommends that the War Department take steps to make possible the employment of women over 18 years of age, between the hours of 10 P. M. and 6 A. M., in order to allow the operation of three 8 hour shifts, provided the conditions hereinafter named and recommended are established. 5. It is recoinnedded further, https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (a) WOES (1) that women replacing men shall be paid the same wages the men received whom they now replace, received. (2) that wage increases which are made to men in the ruture, shall also include women employees. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (b) That no shift of women shall be longer than 8 hours with an allowance of thirty minutes for lunch in the middle of each working period; with a ten minute rest period in each of the two working periods of each shift. That transportation facilities are to be made adequate. That conditions surrounding this plant be made safe for women going to and coming from work, at all periods of day and night. That proper and adequate supervision in the rest roams and in the shops be provided for both day and night shifts. (f) That a representative of the Womens Branch of the Industrial Service Section, be temporarily assigned to advise with the Company in the establishment of these recommendations and to work cousoperatively with the woman now in charge of the employment of women worker s. CLARA 14 TEAD, DIRECTOR, WOmens Branch, Ind. Ser. Sec. ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF ORDNANCE DISTRICT CHIEF 1710 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA _Eractactimi TO INSURE PROMPT ATTENTION , N REPLYING REIPER TO: PA DIVISION PEB:JN11 September 23, 1918. NO. ATTENTION OF From Production Division, Industrial Service Section, Women in Industry Lranch, Philadelphia District. To Col. C. C. Jamison, Chief of the Production Division, 7th & B Sts., Washington, I). U. Subject Employlent of amen on Night Shifts at the plant of the Tacony Ordnance Corporation. 1. CONTRACT AND PRODUCTION: The Tacony Steel Plant constructed for the sole purpose of manufacturing gun forgings for the U. S. Army is Governmentowned and is operated by the Tacony Ordnance Corporation (as agents) on a percentage bass. The status of their contract G-900-335-0 is as follows; Entire Contract (Scheduled to be completed 9/30/18) Produced to Date 9/30 3,000,000 40,000 lLs. 2,000,000 lbs. 240 m/m Howitzer Forgings (rough machine & heat treated) 155 m/m Gun forgings (rough machine & heat treated) 287,0v0 " The present status of the contract is the result of the delay experienced in getting into production, which was caused by the inability of the plant to obtain necessary machines and equipment. To-day, however, with the exception of three tools en route from Pittsburgh, the Tacony Ordnance Corp. is completely tooled up for the present contract. he Howitzer forgings on this contract are shipped to the Waterford Arsenal for finished machining and assembling,--the gun iorgings to the Bullard Engineering Works, Bridge,ort, Conn. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis -22. EMPLOYMENT OF W0LI:r411: From the time of starting operaticn, the Tacony Ordnance Corporation has given careful consideration to the lines of work, in which female labor could be advantageously employed. To-day, there is a total of 27 women in the plant, who have been distributed as follows: Crane operators Pyrometer Readers Band saw operators, watchers Tool room clerks 3. 13 6 5 3 HOURS: The plant is operated on three eight-hour shifts; 8 A.H. to 4 P.M.; 4 P.M. to midnight; midnight to 8 A.M. Women are allowed a 30-minute lunch period, also 10 minutes rest period morning and afternoon. 4. WAGES: The rates for men and women working on similar operations are as follows; Women Started at 37*P per hr. Now making 4111-il " " Experienced 500 Men 40 to bUp per hr. ti 5(4 " 60 to 650 ten it The reason for the seeming discrepancy in wages is that women are used only on light cranes (5 to 1U -tons) in machine shops, while men are employed on heavier cranes and on ladle cranes in more hazardous surroundings in fuse shops. Band say: Operat,rs Women Watch wor which is set up by men Started - 37 per hr. Men Set 11,2, work 450 per hr. Pyrometer Readers Women Started at 300 per hr. Now making 371-0 per hr. Experienced 450 " 5, Men No men on job Would have to pay helper 450 per hr. WORKING CONDITIONS: https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis The plant is entirely of new structure, with excellent light, and ventilation. There are steel stairways and balconies provided for crane operators and electrical control for the cranes. A new and 4' has adequate service building with a matron in charge day and night with supplied ly adequate is This been constructed for the women. arocking chairs, bubbling fountains, couches, e.A.ectric stove, refriger are uniforms of sets Two tor, steel lockers, paper towls and soap. provided by company. may In addition, there is a Cafeteria, run at cost wnere women duty on doctor a with beds, There is a hospital with two buy lunch. night n and on afternoo daily and two nurses to reiieve each other A physical eamination is required of ali men, and there is shifts. a plan to require same of women. Any problems arising with women are handled by nurses. the plant Si,ecial means are taken to accompany women to and from at change of shifts at midnight. 6. i.LIPLOYLIMIT IJA/LiG11.1E1TT: There is a centrallizec emuloyment bureau hiring all workers and Aal women workers are interviewed by discharging on recommendation. The women workers are recruited through present a woman clerk. A waiting list of women indicates a reserve supply in that employees. direction. 7. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis FTALIAL3 LABOR: The plant is operated on the rotating shift basis; and if the-y are to be employed at all, women must be permitted to work in all three of te men the periods, for it is neither practical nor efficient to substitu on duty for report to around comes in their places when their turn Such action not only causes great dissatisfaction night shifts. amongst the men, wile have to do double night duty, but disorganizes the whole force, and requires regrouping, since it has -proved to be most unsatisfactory to separate the team consisting of the crane operator and cothe ...loor man working with the crane, as reciprocal, instantaneous operation is essential to produce effective work. The reasons for the Tacony Ordnance Corporation employing women (1st, Their inabilespecially as crane operators have been twofold; the effiity to secure steady laborers for this type of work; (.:md) cienc:, and skill of the women operators. folThe turnover for crane operators since June 1st has been as In this con85 hired, including 13 girls; 26 quits, all men. lows; re, nection, we wish to ,oint out that the Draft Boards have heretofo grounds the on cation classifi deferred grant t, and continue, to refuse This of essential occupation,to those employed as crane operators. labor. male of type _is t of cy permanen the necessarily greatly affects Furthermore, from the very beginning, the women have proven their atsuperiority to men as crane operators in this plant. Their regular the perform; they which tasm the to n tendance; their constant attentio of unusual skilled ,as in which they handle their machines, mai,_e them are cranes where shops te in The workmen value in this capacity. these in ce confiden handled by female operators, have the greatest n to workers; and consequently are able to 4ve their undivided attentio through that fear no There is the work in hich they are employed. f". https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis carlessness or mishandlin, they may be threatened with peril from overhead, and when biork is to be done, they know it will be handled with the utmost neatness and dispatch. The limitation to these women to the day shifts, and their consequent elimination from work in rotating shifts, would not only require the substituting in their places of men, whose employment hz_.s proven to be most imporraanent, but would also cause a decreasing of the efficiency of an entire shop, as the result of employment of careless, uns,illed crane operators. ICN It is therefore recommended by this office, in iht of the urgent need of the forgings produced by the Tacony Ordnance Corporation; the established satisfactory L,nci. efiicient work of tne female laber now employed; the iml.ossibility of securing steady and equ—lly skilled male crane operators, and the impossibility of retaining permanently male crane operatives, if employed, awing to uLe policy of local draft boards to refuse to recognize such occupation when filled by males as a proper ground for deferred classification under the Selective Service Act,--that this plant be permitted to continue the omplong of women in t,e operations in which they are especially qualified:lo use their services, on all three shifts. dREENISI idajor Ord. Dept. U.S.A. Production :anaer. • ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF ORDNANCE LASTRICT CHIEF 1710 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA. PA. Ea07"-CTION DIVISION September 23, 1918. TO INSURE PROMPT ATTENTION IN REPLYING REFER TO: NO. liTTENTION OF FROM: Louise Cornell, Industrial Service Section, Women's Branch, Philadelphia District. TO: Production Division- SUBJECT: Plant conditions at Tacony Ordnance Corporation. 1. Mr. Robinson. LOCATION OF PLANT Northern Tacony- fifteen minute walk from street car and railroad. 2. TRANSPORTATION Street car and railroad service inadequate. Buss service from plant to Germantown and Wayne Junction accomodates between two and three hundred men daily. Trip can be made in 30 minutes. 3. HOUSING Serious shortage. Question of government appropriation has been raised with Washington. Unsuccessful to date. 4. SHOP & WORKING CONDITIONS Plant of modern construction with up-to-date and safety factors. Stairs have been erected to machine shop cranes, which are electrically driven. 5. TERMS OF EKPLOYI\MIT https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis A. Hours Three 8-hour shifts 8 to 4 - 4 to 12 - 12 to 8 Shifts rotate weekly Women allowed 30 .minute lunch period and ten minute rest period morning and afternoon. B. Wages Figures given for men and women on similar operations: ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF ORDNANCE DISTRICT CHIEF 1710 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA, P90117Trr...DiviSION September 23, 1918. TO INSURE P ROM PT ATTENTION IN REPLYING REFER TO: -2- Tacony Ordnance Corp. NO. ATTENTI0N OF Crane Operators Men Women • 40 to 450 per hour 500 If 60 to 650 " Started at 37 -0 per hr. It Now making 4 Experienced 500 Reason given for discrepancy in wages was that women are only used on light cranes (t to 15 tnns) in machine shop. Men on heavier cranes- ladle cranes it more hazardous ourroundings in fuse shop. Bsndsaw Orerators Men Women 7;atch work which is set up by men - per hour Started- 340 Set up work 450 per hour Pyrometer Readers Women Started at 30 per hour Now making 37 " Experienced 450 " 6. Men No men on job Would have to pay 450 per hour 3TPLOYMIliT MANAGEMIZTT Centralized employment bureau hiring all workers, and discharging on recommendation. Woman clerk interviews all women applicants. Workers recruited through present employees. Waiting list of women indicates reserve supply. Relatively low turnover- 19.8% for August, out of average force of 800 employees. 7. SUPERVIS/ON OF WOMEN https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Matron in charge of rest room. change of night shift. Guards escort women to cars at I ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF ORDNANCE DISTRICT CHIEF 1710 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA. PRMITTITTON DIVISION September 23, 1918. TO INSURE PROMPT ATTENTION IN REPLYING REFER TO: Tacony Ordnsnce Corp. „........ -3- NO. ATTENTION OF 8. SUMIARY https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Plant conditions favorable to employment of women. Amount of work that can be performed limited by nature of operations. INDUSTRIAL SERVICE SECTION Women's Branch ISE CORNELL Director https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis October 7, 1918. From: Mary Van Kleeck, Director, Women in Iniustry Service To: Major F. W. Fully, War Detart ent Subject: Request of Tacony Ordnance Corporation for exemption from Ste.te laws. The papers and the application of the Tacony Ordnance Corrorat ion for exemption from State laws forpiarded from your of rice, are received today. We are proceedirg to secure some infonaation before making a recoa2-endation. As We understand, AO are not empowered to recoond the grantirg of a certificate until the proposed plan for temporary modification of State lam has been adopted by the Council of National Defense. These papers will therefore be heid until decision is reache'i regii.r4ing the plan as a whole. .,IVR/AL Mary Van Maack, Director Woriain in Iniustry Service. CONFIRMATION ) Form C-13 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY HARRISBURG. PA. TELEGRAM Western Union DateSeptember 2, 1918. Time sent 10:00 NIGHT LETTER 14AA4x 'Phoned 3xamizax M. Miss Mary Van Kleeck, Director, Women in Industry, Auray Building, 6th and B Sts., Washington, D. C. Have just learned that Tacony Steel and Ordnance at Tacony, north On investiof Philadelphia, is employing women crane operators. had to d they matter that referre gation yesterday was advised e that they have Lieutenant Brown, Philadelphia branch Ordnanc and taken his decision as authority for employing women at niat. Kindly have case investigated and advise if the TNYi—riTIiartrent purposes to issue instructions to our Industrial Board for permit Otherwise necessary for our Department to request as agreed upon. of our State law be discontinued. on violati that this (Signed) Lew R. Palmer. Charged' DepaatrAent of Labor and Industry. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WOMAN IN INDUSTRY SERVICE WASHINGTON October 7, 1918. Aemorandum From: ijss Peteron MiSs Van Kleeck Subject: Reference to War Labor Board Application of the Tacony Ordnance por?oration, Tacony, Pennsylvania, for permission to employ wowen at night. 1. Delivered memoramlun fror 'isr "an 77eeck for War Labor Board to Miss Obenaucr. 2. The War Labor Board has no information in reference to this firm up to date. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis If this company shou7d come before the War Labor Board, Miss Cbenauer will see that notice is sent iss Van Eleeck. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Memorandum From: Woman in Industry To: WAr Labor Board ervice, -artm,:mt of Labor Subject: Application of the Tacony A-dnInce Gor...or.Aion, T.:cony, PennsylvAnia, for ermisqion to em.Hoy romen 'A night. 1. The Office of the Secret ,ry of War his ref-rn-d the reauest of this Company to UF for recommendati,m. 2. Labor Board information about tiliS Jlant-and Has the will it be ')os.(2ible for us to h_lve times's to the 80, if datl, inEof r it 13.(r. upon 1,he de2ir-bility of )ermit'ing ru,penPion Jf Lhe Jt!te lJbor lims for a eriJd? s MVK/ALL Mary Kleeck, Director Viomln in Industry Service https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis WAR DEPARTMENT, WAS H I N GTO N October 5, 1910. 7ar 3enartment, I;ajor F. 7c: Tully. IhN:44Mary Van 71eeck, Director -o=n in Industry Service Subject: equest of Tacony Ord- ance Corporation for exemption from tate laws. I am forsrdinc, herewith papers in the application of Tacony Ordnance Corporation for exer.1)tion from State laws These i'ajers inpermitting them to employ women at night. clude the request of the Ordnance Department that the application be granted, and that the Secretary of '::ar issue a -ecormendation i reauested. 0,3f.tifioate or 7rer-ency. 0% 7(Ct). P.c.'. Tully Major, Ordnance U. S. A. Detailed to Office of Secretary of ,:ar. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 0^,tobLy 5, 1916, Tar Dopartnont, :lajor P. V. Stlny. .71ceolc, lirector 7m' subject: : "l'o.nn in Indllstry 'Service r'cquest of 'aeon,/ Ord-.anoe Corporation for exemption from Ctate I an for-ardini; berovith :iapere in the application ,I;tate laws of Tacony '.1r7Irr,roo Cor)orttion for nxa..:7..)tior a F. :;:he ini)ors inronnitting (T•z.1 to ormloy orn at ntt. 5,0p1.1 c11.1.141 th.) roglozt of 461...0 r.'.1-..- n7Llico '')ap rtlent a issue tiOln bourantod, ar -! tllat tha flecretary of Mins roconnendation is reqt-4ested. lOrtifIcat) of Thrnrcency. ". 7'12117. liajor, Ordnance U. S. A. Detailed to °moo or Secretary of Yard, All communications should be accompanied by carbon copy and addressed to WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE To insure prompt attention, In replying refer to PRODUCTION DIVISION WASHINGTON No. Attention of September 24, 1U8. 03—M45 From • Chief of Ordnance. To • Secretary of War. Subject • Re: request of Tacony Ordnance Corporation for exemption from state lrws. 1. It is requested that application be made through the state Department of Labor requesting an exemption in the case of the Tacony Ordnance Corporation from operation of the state law which prohibits the employment of women on night work between the hours of 10 p. m. to 6 a. m. 2. A complete report on the matter is attached herewith. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis C. C. WILLIAMS, Major General, U. S. A. Chief of Ordnance. ' By: C. C. Jamieson, Colonel, OrdnFmce, U. , ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF ORDNANCE DISTRICT CHIEF rno MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA. PRODD__C_TION MAR DIVISION TO INSURE PROMPT ATTENTION IN REPLYING REFER TO' September 27, 1918. NO ATTENTION OF From: I. H. Francis, Plant Section To: Major R. A. Greene, Production Lanager Subject: Endorsement of application of the Tacony Ordnance Corporation to have permission to work women on three 8-hour shifts. 1. In view of the investigations made and the complaints filed with the Bureau of Labor regarding the housing situation in the Tacony District, it is my opinion that ev-rything should be done to encourage the use,to the fullest extent, of the labor already located in that territory. Since female labor of the type qhich c.,n be used by the Tacony Ordnance Corporhtion en be drawn from the households in the immediate neighborhood and since it is essential, if women are to be employed at all, that it be permitted to work them on all three of the rotating shifts, I wish to endorse the application made by the Company for this permission. 2. The advantages to be derived from the employment of women at this plant are three fold: https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (a) Every woman drawn from the immediate neighborhood helps to decrease the already acute congestion in triffic, in =aid out of the locality, resulting from the large percentage of labor which now ha e= to live outside of the district. (b) Since the women will come from homes already estyblished, their employment will help to alleviate the housing situation. (c) Since women will be recruited from the immediate locality, their attendance will tend to be much more regular and their turn-over much lower than that of men drawn from the surrounding country. 2 3. It is r',alized that the emptying of 27 women ID , the Tacony Ordnance Corportion is not the solution of the problems enumerated above, but it is felt that the number of women now employe3 does not represent the importance of the case nor the possitilities for their more extensive; use, which might re!;ult from the Comi_any's obtaining permisf3ion to employ thell in all three shifts. 4. Since in a plant operated on a rotating shift basis, it is impractical to employ women unless they can be used in all thre- periods both because of the dissatisfaction re,iulting amongst the men who have to do double night duty in place of the women, 9,nd because of the decreasing of the efficiency of the organiAation by breaking up the team of the crane operator and the foremen, I recomrnendthat every effort be made to secure authorizFAion for this company's working their famale labor in all threR of the shifts. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis I. H. FRANCIS, Plant Section. ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF ORDNANCE DISTRICT CHIEF 1710 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA rouct ......'7 ..... PA DIVISION TO INSURE PROMPT ATTENTION !N REPLYING REFER TO: NO. 1st ATTENTION OF Lt. C. B. From: Lieut. C. B. Brown, Production Officer, Tacony Ordnance Corp., 9/27/18.FE S: To: Lajor R. Greene, Production 1,:anager, Philadelphia Ordnance District. 1. Forwarded. The application of Tacony Ordnance Cor9oration for permission to employ rarer 2. at niht, should receive consideration on the following grounds. First: The plant is making 155 mm. Gun Forgings and 240 mm. Howitzer Forginu,, both of which carry high priority. econu: .L11 available gun making capacity in the country is filled up, an yet the prouuctinn of guns is behind requirements. It is, therefore, necessary for all sueh plituts to work twenty-four hours per day, or three eight hour shifts. Third: Labor in Tacony is scarce, due to competition between the several large plants there and to insufficient housing. Llany of the workers go to and from work by train. Also male labor is beinL, steadily reduced by draft. It is, therefore, necessary to replace men with women in all tasks which a woman can perform with safety• Fourth: In order to equalize conditions on all three shift.;, they are made to rotate, the 12 to 8 shift in one week becoming the 8 to 4 shift the next week. It is impossible to have WOMGL work steaeily on dajsni.ft s.nd work men in the corresoondping positions steadily on night shift. 8o tlat if women are to be eLployed at all permission must be obtained allowing them to work at uiLht. Then fore, I would respectfully request thL.t permission be granted to the Tacony 3. Ordnance Corporation to employ women at night. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 2ND END. PAND-230 Tacony. Inspection Manager, Philadelphia Ordnance District, tion ManSeptember 27, 1918. To Major E. A. Greene, Produc ager, Philadelphia Ordnance District. ation 1. This Office recommends that the applic to utilize sion permis for of the Tacony Ordnance Corporation d. grante be shift the services of women on the night 2. As pointed out in the foregoing, there is an urgent need for the gun materiel that is being made by the Tacony Ordnance Corporation, and it is believed that it will to materially promote production if permission is grnnted work the women on the night shift, because there is a shortage of labor thruout the District. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis THE PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT OFFICE. W.M.SCHWARTZ. MAJOR ORD.DEPT.U.S.A. INSPECTION MANAGER. ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF ORDNANCE bISTRICT CHIEF MO MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA. PA. PR2DUCTIA DIVISION LPH:RAG TO INSURE PROMPT ATTENTION 'N REPLYING REFER TO NO. September 27, 1918. ATTENTION OF .......... From: Philadelphia District Ordnance, Production Division To: Colonel C. C. Jamieson, Chief of Production Division, 7th & B Streets, Washington, D,C. Attention of Major B. H. Gitchell. Subject: Endorsements of application by Tacony Ordnance Corporhtion for permission to work women on three 8-hour shift. 1. Attached hereto are four endorsements of the application made by the Tacony Ordnance Corporation for permission to work Nomen on three of their eight-hour shifts. 2. These are forwarded to you in accordance with your request. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis .$rlde,o - R. A. GREF,NE, Major, Ord. U.S.A. Production Manager. Form No. 2660 B Ed. Mar. 12-18-500,000 WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE INTRAOFFICE MEMORANDUM FOR USE WITHIN THE ORDNANCE OFFICE ONLY DATE FROM: oLip 39 , , ::ajor „,anford BUREAU OR DIV. NAME NAME SUBJECT: BUREAU OR DIV. Contract for 155 Corporation. WM SECTION Industrial kArvice Teade, Cl TO: _Lagtemb_er 21, 1918_,, SECTION Gun I'orginzs with Tacony Ordnance 1. The Tacony 0r6nance CorporrAion of Tacony, Pa., has contract G 900-3550 with the Ordnance :iJerartment for Gun, equivalent to a 198 sets of Gun Forgins for 155 weijlt of two million pounds. This contract is dated iiovember 14, 1917. The Committee on Army and Navy Artillery, 2. Council of _National Defense, approved of the Tacony Ordnance Corporation as a source of supply for Gun ForginE;s on July 21, 1917, and the buildin of its plant was authorized on August 2, 1917. An order was issued for the erection and equipment of its buildings and an allotment of Government funds- amounting to .1,140,201. was made for this purpose. Great difficulty was encountered by the Company 3. in th(, :onstruction of its buildings and it has also been delayed by had eliveries of machine tools and trains. Its Officers are men of long el l,erience in the manufacture of hi,,h grade steel aild of zun forgin7s. The provisions of the contract called for the 4. following deliveries: April, 20; :;:ay, 30; June, 34; July, 34; August, 40; 6eptember, 40. Production actually commenced during the month of August, and up to September 12, the followinz had been completed and accepted: 22 tubes; 17 jackets; 11 A Hoops; No CARBON https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis COPY AND NO RECORD REQUIRED. PEN OR PENCIL MAY BE USED. r1 .,.2- .1/111811 Form No. 2660 B Ed. Mar. 12-18-500,000 WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE 1NTRAOFFICE MEMORANDUM FOR USE WITHIN THE ORDNANCE OFFICE ONLY .,• DATE aanforda. ThoMpson. FROM: NAME TO: ,e9tember 21, 1918. Li as -• NAME SUBJECT: Progress BUREAU OR DIV. ifieL- e, _ BUREAU OR1DIV Contract for 155 M/M Gun l'orginc;s with Corporation. SECTION ,Industrial Servite. SECTION acony OrThnce 6. It is expected that a total of 22 sets of Forgings will be completed durin September; 25 sets additional during October; 30 additional in November; 30 in December; 50 in January. Sanford . Thompson, Maj., Or . -)ept., U.S. No CARBON COPY AND NO RECORD REQUIRED. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis PEN OR PENCIL MAY BE USED. Form No. 2660 B Ed. Mar. 12-18-500,000 IWJ/ke Tel.War br. 2708 WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE INTRAOFFICE MEMORANDUM FOR USE WITHIN THE ORDNANCE OFFICF: ONLY DATE FROM. Vra_j, _Sanford R. Thompson Est. atiu ”Wi; Caarn- Tead - SECTION Women's Branch,_ Inoustrial service Sec. NAME SUBJECT: _1_918. 2rogreet BUREAU OR DIV NAME TO: eq. aePt• 24 BUREAU OR DIV. SECTION status of contracts with Tacony Ordnance Corporation. compliance with your request of today, desire to state that contract was entered into with the Tacony Ordnance Corporation at racony, pa. on March 4, 1918 for 171) forgings of the 240 m/m hovitzer. 2. According to contraat, during following months: Prior to June June July Aug. ept. completions vere to be made 40 32 33 35 35 AE yet no actual deliveries have been made. 3. This Section has not been advieed as to lAhether or not contract hae been extended, however, this information can be furnished if you desire it. Inspection report of sept. 12 shove progress aE per 4. attached form. Figures encloeed in () show accumulative total to that time. banford son, SS U.S.A. rv Dept. Maj. Or. No CARBON COPY AND NO RECORD REQUIRED. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis PEN OR PENCIL MAY BE USED. Form CS "I ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT UNITED STATES ARMY CANNON INSPECTION—GUN DIVISION WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT OF CANNON FORGINGS. W. 0. G. C. 24.0...m/in Type of Gun FORGING Number on Order Number Acceptedto Date Number Due to Date Number on Hand (Ingots) _Howltzer. Number Rough Forged Number Machined for Treatment Number Heat Treated Number Accepted 175_ 142. 3 (131 1 _13Q)_ _0_ ( Jackets _ 1-7b- £2 0(41LlJ6L o(51 2 (31 62_ 6 (let 4 (61 175. 2 3 (51 Number Rejected Number Shipped 1 (0) 0 t0)___ 0_ iCa ,0 Tubes Iioops_ , 191 8 Week ending _ Sept..12 900 - 335 (21 0 (0) 1 fly_ 0 (0) 2 1_2) _ Hoops _ Hoops Hoops _ Hoops 'loops Clips Clips Breech Rings Breech Blocks Obturators Remarks: -Tae9py-Ordnance Co. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis , 'on /rad or. , Insp. Ord., U. S..4. arnCP/W/0 0 7 0~40 J. B WARREN ' acol7 PRESIDENT GEORGE SATTERTHWAITE VICE PRES SGEWL MANAGER W. C.PEARSON 2^, VICE PRES b. SECRETARy *da, g d A September 18, 1018 To the Honorable, The Secretary of War ,;::_shinton, D.C. re have the honor to call yHur attention 1. to the labor laws of Pennsylvania under date 6f 1916, particularly with reference to the 7omany2 Act of 1913 as amende 1915, Sections 1 Lra 5, Page 55, which laws probibit the employment of females in industrial establishments before the hour of 6 and after the and would respectfully request hour of 1? exem, : ,tion fro T:1 this Act for cur r17nt for the fol1owin7 reasons: The entire facilites of the Tv_cony Ordnance Corporntion were constructed for the sole purpose of manufacturin cun forgins for the U.i. army under Contract Order G 900-335 C. The operation of A steel making oliat of this kind under normal coniitions invol7es continuous operation or 24 hours', and this is particularly necessary •nd essentitl i.n view of the preE;ent ener7ency. Our plant st-rted manufacturing orerations 2. in June of tlis year, and at that time cnr:-ful consideration was 7ive to the possibility of the emrloyment of women in our vLrio'is shops. A decision was reached that women could be adv-ntrgeously emrloyed in the following lines of work: https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Operators Pyrometer Tool 2oom Operators of electric tra7e1ing cranes -!.ttendatts issuin7 clerks on small hack saws for cutting out test pieces Taoony Ordnance 3. jomen were therefnre e -cloyed for this purpose and ha-7e been used continuously since that time, and very successfully for doing these four lines of work. 4. The industrial day is divided into three 8-hour shifts: 8 ht; miari-ht to uo 4 P.L., q P.1... to midni, 3 '...; an in the c se of female employees liberal rest p:rieds are providec for. lie ha,-e in addition constructed a. modern and adequate rest room for the femtle em, loyees, located centrally and convenient to their places of em- loyment. 5. It is necessary for the satisf-ctory operation of this plant fld for the continuous production of much needed gun forgings that if women are to be employe'', at all they be allowed to work on all of the three 8-hour shifts referred to above. Every one of these en-nloyees has been interviewed personally and is very well pleased with the conlitions of work, anq entirely s:tisfied th t under our con - itions our work is suitable and. proper for women. special means are taken to accom,',ny the women to and from our plant on the change of shift at midni7ht. Our plant is new and modern in every way, and particularly in the machine shops the conditions of light -.1 71 cleanliness are very -ood. If we are not allowed to ha-e women work lirin:),* 6. the hours after 10 P.1. and before 6 .1.E., it will be necessary for us to discontinue their emnloyment in our plant, for it is not practical or possible, we believe, to ha-e women on the dr...y shifts and men continuously on the correspon5ing night shifts. de have so far a total of 27 women em-)loyees distribatea as foll owe: Crane o-ner tors, 13 Pyrometer clerks 6 Tool room iss'Je clerks Band saw operators 3 5 This number will rprobably i:cre - ce, to a total of 50, as all of our equipment is received ad rlaced in operation. Our plant has been inspected by various representatives of the Department of Labor at Harrisburg, and complete satisfaction has been expressed by them regarding the general conditions of safety, cleanliness, light, etc. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org • Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Tacony Ordnance Corp. - 3 7. 1,:ale crane operators a -e usurilly youn7 men between the a -es of twenty ?.nd thi±ty-fi^o, and we been ursuccessful in our efforts to secure industrial exemrtion for crane operators betwwen the a7es of twenty one and thirty-One, and presume the same difficulty 7ill be found with the new drLft re7ulations. The exe-rtion boards do not consider crane operators as entitled to industrial exertion, with which we heartily a7ree, provided the enrloy-ent of women is permitted, in accordance with our request. 8. For the abo7e reasons, we respectfMy recuest that we be 7/. nted an exem-tion from the ifennsyllnia st:te law 7overnin7 the employment of women in industrial establishments durir7 the continufTnce of the present emer7ency. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Very respectfully, 72.1CONY OaDILUICE 007.1PC George Satterthwaite Vice Presirlent ,°; General :ar--e- PRODUI7ION Septedber 18, 1918. 7,47/.0M: Production Division, Industrial „;ervice 3ection, Women's Bremoh, 7hiladelphia 'Astrict. TO: Major Ireene, Production Manager, 7hiladelphia .51313J13111: Presert status of oase of Tacony :;rdnance orporatior re permisJion to employ womer ln ni-iht shift. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1. *gust lett an or about August lst Tacony Ordnance Coeporation beg.Rn to employ mien on three eight-hour shifts contrary to the provisions of' the Lnbor Laws of the :tate of Pa. 2. amust 1::) -better f'rom Tacony )rdn'ince orporation to Lieutenant Brown a,Ivising of employment of women nt 3. August 27th: Mr. r`offee, Aistrict 3upervisor of '.5tate er.partment ,rah whether violation of of Labor & Industry, asked -omen's rilaw by Taoony )rinance lc authorized by decision of Acting Aidge Advocate June 19th. Stevenson outlined existirT procedure for seouring exemption from provisions of state laws thromh office of Secretary of -;ar. 4. August 30th:Order !ram secretary of -ar that clause requiring observance of State Labor Laws ahall be inserted ir all contracts. 5. Aeptember. 3rd: TelesTam from ,M. Hopkins to Lieutenant Brown: Statement has been filed with Secretary's Offioe that Tawny :Asia and Ordnance Forth rlhiladelphia is employing women crane operators at night on approval from you. This contrary to precedent and polioy whiCh requires that all waivinz ;of state requirements be only after investigation of needs and on approval of ,ecretary's Offioe. nesse wire me faots. 6. t:eptember 4th: Telegram from Lieutenant Prawn to 3. M. Hopkins: Your telegiam September third. ' ,Writer requestod letter from Tawny )rinarce stating how they desired to work women employees. This information was desired as basis on which to take up with you wsiving of state requirements. Did PRODUCT/ON .7,eptember 18, 1918, 7anOny Irinance lorp. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis not approve night work. Tammy has just received letter from Low Palmer Acting lommissioner Department of Labor & Industry State of '›enneylvania authorizing no chae in prewmt practice unless adversely notified after today's conference between General ?ickson and 71A1mor at Bethlahea on the same subject. Letter from Lieutenant Prawn to Mr. Dickey statine, necessity for night work. 7. 5eptember AA: Telephone message from .7hief of ,omen's Branch. Washington, to omen's T;ranch, Philadelphia, stating that ()Omani has filed request for exemption throu,!sh Office of Secretary of War, Ind is pressing timediate decision in Weekington. Women's Branch, -ihiladelphia -.13trict, asked to present facts on case immediately. LOUISE (MIMI. Women in Industry Branch https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis WAR DEPARTMENT, PRIVATE SECRETARY'S OFFICE. MEMORANDUM. H r r. .1, 18 . CLASS OF SERVICE Day Message Day Letter Night Message SYMB° Blue Nite N L Night Letter If none of these three symbols appears after the check (number of words )this Is a day message. Otherwise its character is indicated by the symbol appearing after the check. WESTE TEL CLASS OF SERVICE SYMBOL m-E Day Message 47A1A WESTERN UNION /MVO. A,CcDMB CARLTON. PRESIDENT NE, GEORGE W. E. ATKINS, . Dew tter Night Message FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT A633P A NI HARRISBURG PENN 2 1 1043 DIRECTOR OF WOMEN OF INDUSTRY US DEPT OF LABOR OURAY BUG WASHINGTON DC HAVE JUST LEAgNED THAT TACONY STEEL AND ORDNANCE AT TACONY NORTH OF PHILA IS EMPLOYING OMEN CRANE OPERATORS AT NIGHT ON INVESTIGATION YESTERDAY WAS ADVISED THAT THEY HAD REFERRED MATTER LIEUT BROWN PHILA BRANCh OF ORDNANCE AND THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN HIS DECISION AS A AUTHORITI FOR ELPLOYING WOMEN AT NIGHT KINDLY HAVE CASE TNVESTIGAT AND ADVILE IF THE WAR DEPARTMENT rURI)OSES TO ISSUE INSTRUCTIONS TO OUR INDUSTRIAL BOARD FOR PERMITS AS 2:GREED UPON https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Nite N L Night Letter If none of these three symbols appears after the check (number of words)this Is a day message. Otherwise Its character is indicated by the symbol appearing after the check. RECEIVED AT WYATT BUILDING, COR. 14th AND F STS., WASHINGTON, D. C. MIS3 MARY VANYTRECK Blue CLASS OF SERVICE I SYMBO Day Message Day Letter Blue Night Message Nite Night Letter N L If none of these three symbols appears after the check (number of words)this is aday message. Otherwise Its character Is Indicated by the symbol appearing after the check. WESTE UNION -11_ 0 CLASS OF SERVICE SYMBDay Message • ▪ ligalr.etter /tilt Message TEL NEWCOMB CARLTON. PRESIDENT AM GEORGE W. E. ATKINS. FIRST VICE•pRESIDENT II 2 OTHERWISE NECESSARY FOR OUR DEPARTLENT TO REZEST THAT THIS VIOLATION OF OUR STATE LAW BE DISCONTINUED https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Nite NI Night Letter If none of these three symbols appears aftpr the check (number of words)this is aday messale. Otherwise its character is indicated bythe symbol appearing after the check. RECEIVED AT WYATT BUILDING. COR. 14th AND F STS., WASHINGTON, D. C. Ab33P SHEET TWO Blue LER R /JAILER. • NAM 106 GE iltileldoi' 2Z ,ieptuielper 4 1918 M Hopkins ..i.es19te.:c.t to Secretary of lax tlashingtorG Year telegram septowbe.r.t 1 r wried Writer re Aneste4 fres raueer *abase° stritir-, fiev- te period. 'Ale inforratiori vIrn:Y aired %* "'irk osr 1lleyseo Wick to ttj take up with yes weiviwre9 ,-ztate requirsrct rits period Bi ot arpcorre gtiglit work period. rrterny• t --,ce.irel letter frostL.cw R Rainer Abetting Cemmiesiener DerA ty?AliuLA.,$ state of 4.enes auttazisteg me latall adv.° raely ,Illfercne* between general Vickser ard Palmer eeki JovAlehela se the same arableet pcwied. Breen Pr el uotien Divisl on'2 %tree 400 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis :VW four army 1,11
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