The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-02 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OP THE EXPRESS.

Sle,—With your 'kind permission we will once 1
more trespass on your space, in order that we may lay
fairly before the public how the present unhappy state of ,
affairs between the employers and employed of the tailor-
ing trade has been brought about. The fact is now as
Intent to the public as to ourselves that the present dis-
pute is not one involving an increase in the rate per hour,
but simply an equitable adjustment of the time necessary
for making the various garments. The much-abused time
of a dress or frock coat which we have set down in our log
at 33 hours is a garment, and the only one which was dis-
cussed between us and the masters' committee.
The various parts were considered from the time
that the job was put into the hands of the workman
until the whole was ooniplete, and when we had concluded
our labours we found that by an unanimous vote they con-
firmed the result, viz., 321 hour' as the value of the gar-
ment, for which we had aslred only 3l hours. That was the
result of fair discussion. Now these gentlemen who came
to that conclusion found that if they went on with the
discussion, and allowed proper time for all the work per-
formed, it would make • difference in money. They then
refused to discuss the matter in detail, and presented a
log (which they had prepared), and said that unless we
were prepared to accept that log, subject only to slight
modifications, they were not prepared to go further with
the discussion. Our board then ceased to be a council of
arbitration, and assumed the form of one of dictation. We
replied that we would go on with • fair discussion to
settle a true and just time, but did not expect them to
present us with • log which we were bound to refuse ; and
all this was done by them though one of the original
agreements was to the effect that neither party should
present • log, all being at liberty to discuss from any bade
they might prefer. Another distinct agreement prior to
our discussion opening on the log was, that in the event
of any difficulty arising the chairmen of the two bodies
were to make an effort at settlement, failing which an
arbitration was to be cage!. When the difficulty arose
we urged that " our arrangement with reference to arbi-
tration should be put in force." The sense of the masters'
committee was then privately taken on the question in
dispute, when one of their representatives replied, " It
was useless, as their instructions would not allow them to
alter their decision."
Mr. Lewis, president of the Masters' Association, said
at the meeting in the Hanover-moms " he disliked very
much the manner in which this increase of time was asked
for. It was unfairly and untruly put, and was calculated
to create an impression the very reverse of the truth."
Now that gentleman was chairman on the first day's dis-
cussion, which was • fair one, the result of which we have
already stated, at which both sides expressed satisfaction ;
and how he can now assume the " injured innocent,"
when he gave his assent to every item, is more than we
GUI comprehend. But there is one thing to be said—he
attended but one more meeting.
Of Mr. Bennett, who moved the first resolution, we
must
say as little as possible, for he is no tailor, and is in
absolute ignorance of a time log. All he can i
testify to is
that he pays a certain amount fur making a coat, and such
be wishes to get made for the smallest amount possible.
But we must look upon him as speaking from the musters'
committee, and when he said, 'On the present occasion
they had yielded to negotiation until they found it limos-
' sib's to proceed further," he simply stated an untruth.
He was chairman at the last meeting, and positively re-
fused to discuss the matter ; and although the eating did
not last an hour, he left the meeting before it concluded.
We again requested them to meet us, and they again re-
fused ; and we are still ready to meet' then, for fair dis-
mission. This is all we daily and what they have per.
',latently refused, while they snake great pretensions sbout
our enforcing our log, and the duty they owe to one another
' in resisting the same. Wepressuted [beluga,' the only means
of raising the question ; and it ia far from our desire that
they should adopt it finally in its present state. On the
; I contrary, we hold that it is impossible for any time log to
be correct except one mutually discussed by those who
; have to pay to it and those who receive value in money
; for the time detailed by it. We have in previous COIII2III-
- ; illations shown that the question of an universal time log
r was first raised by the masters themselves, and its neces-
r sity advocated in the most positive manner by members of
their association representing all parts of the three king-
- dims. We therefore, as are the operatives of the whole
i country, are still ready to negotiate with a committee of
London and country musters, previously appointing
Idifference
an arbitrator, whose decision, in the event of any
arising, shall be binding on both parties. Apologising for
the length of this, the insertion of which will greatly
oblige—We are, ke.,
GEORGE DRITITT, President of the London
Tailors' Association.
JOHN ADAMSON, President of Amalgamated
Society.

ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN. —The
annual meeting of the institution was held yesterday, Sir
H. Holland. Bart, /d.D., F.H.8., president, in
the chair. The annual report of the committee of visitors
for the year 1866 was read and adopted, The books and
pamphlets presented in 1866 amounted to 130 volumes,
making, withthose purchased by the managers, a total of
407 volumes added to the library in the year. Thirty
eight new members were elected in 1866. Sixty-three
lectures and twenty evening discourses were delivered
during the year 1866. Thanks were voted to the presi-
dent, treasurer, and secretary, to the committees of mana-
gers and visitors, and to Professor Faraday, sod the other
professors, for their services to the institution during the
past year. The officers for the ensuine year were then
elected.
No attacks of cattle plague have been reported
from any part of Great Britain during the week ending
27th April.