New-York tribune., 1902-01-10
MEDIATOR FAVORS FIRM.
DECISION REGARDING DISPUTE ABOUT
SHOES IdPERFECTLY MADE-BOND
POSTED By EACH SIDE.

Albany Jan 9.-Rernard Stark State Mediator
os Industrial Disputes. agreed upon as arbiter
a, the long pending dispute between Wichert &.
Gardiner shoe manufacturers. of Brooklyn, and
Ave hundred of their employees, has decided in
favor Of the employers. The chief contention
ss over a demand of the workers for pay for
snoiled work. The firm agreed to furnish new
rnpterial but declined TO pay for the duplication
~ tnperfect product. Previous to the arbitra-
,ion each side posted a cash forfeit a bond
:, abide by the mediator's decision. In his de-
cision the mediator says:
In accordance with the joint request of the
ororlovers and the representatives of the work
an IN SAID factory that / should act fifth
orhitrator in all disputes pending between them.
7 met the four other arbitrators selected two
t-on each side, at the esta blishment of Wichert
a Gardiner, at Pacifc-st- and Schenectady ave.
y January 3. at 10 a The firm repre-
anted by Joseph Wichert and George Gardiner.
ond the workmen by Francisco P. Silva and
David Geist
sral disputes with their employees. About a
vsar ago difficulty arose and strike seemed
Inevitable. The firm suggested that the matter
he arbitrated ano requested the men to select
en arbitrator Mir. James B. Reynolds was
bosan hy the men Both sides presented their
ease and the arbitrators decided in favor OF
tha employers. The men refused to accept his
decision and the dispute remained as before
Vessrs Wichert and Gardiner, desirous of re-
raining the men in their employ. suggested the
adoption Of the agreement at present in force
On April 16. 1901. agreement was entered
into for the term of one year that all disputes
-rere 10 be submitted to arbitration-the firm and
+ba Independent Shoe Workers Union, TO which
the employees belong. agreeing to forfeit SloooO
If either failed 10 accept the decision OF the
arbftrators The firm has given bond issued
bv the American Surety Company of New YORK
City. The $1,000 10 be put up by the employes
ves 70 be raised by a per cent deposit OF the
weekly wages until the sum reached SO for
each male empoye and S15 for each female en-
ted rhn firm wa
10 allow their employees per cent interest
The money deposit at the present time
agreement. the firm was to select two arbitrat-
ors and the members of the union two, and the
four were 10 select the fifth arbitrator
The first point in dispute is demand OF the
lasters 10 be paid full price for remaking any
work that may be spoiled by them This questlon
came up several months ago, and the firm,
rather than dispute, agreed TO pay them one
half Of the price they would ordlnarlly receive
for the work. This was satisfactory TO the
men until short time ago. when they made
demand for full pay. which the hrm refused
At the meeting held on January B. 1907. state
nents were made by both sides regarding the
controversy Messrs Silva and Geist present
ed the case Of the men and Messrs. Wichert and
Gardiner that of the firm. Various quesuons
were submitted by me bearing on the questions
in dispute. The men do not claim that the ma
terial used is inferior in quality. The hrm states
that il uses only standard leather in the work
The firm also states that il furnishes all mate
rial 10 the men for duplicating poor work WITH
out making any charge to them. thus bringing
on itself an additional expense of 30 cents on
each pair OF shoes II was shown and not dis
puted that there are many Of the men who
spoil very little Of the work done by them'
while others damage a great deal
II appears from the statements made that the
demand made by the for this additional
nav is unreasonable. If the firm accedes to this
demand the men would not be required to use
the care they should in doing this branch Of the
work as long as they knew they would receive
full pay for any imperfect work done by them
IT seems 70 me that much Of this disputed work
IS the result Of carelessness OF the employees. L
consider it very liberal on the part OF the firm
10 furnish the necessary material for all work
required be made over, without charging the
men for the same
I have consulted with some leading manufact-
urers in whom 1 have the most implicit conf
dence and their views in the matter fully coin
eide with mine. After giving this matter my
most careful consideration, have come to the
conclusion that the firm has acted literally in
agreeing TO pay the one-haf Of the regular
price for doing such work over, and therefore
decide that the men are not entitled their de-
znand in the matter. BERNARD STARK