The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-13
Mr.. Driscoll, Commissioner of
Publishers Association,
Severely Criticises the 1. T. T..
in Address Before That Body.
HE ELECTS CHEERS
The Strike at Seattle Was I'm
der Discussion.
He Alleges Gross Violation of
Contract by the Printers.


Washington. Aug 13-The Interna-
tional Typographical union began its
session today with a sharp controversy
over motion to distribute a pamphlet
prepared by the newspaper Publishers
association in criticism of the unions
conduct of the printers strike at Seattle
and Spokane, Wash. Objection was
made to the circulation of the pamphlet
on the ground that it did not bear the
union label, but President Lynch made
an earnest appeal for its acceptance and
his request was granted by a decided
vote. The convention then, IN accord
ance with a resolution adopted yester-
day, listened to an address by Freder-
lex Driscoll. commissioner of the Pub
fishers association, relative TO the
strikes in the state of Washington. He
disclaimed responsibility for the print
Ing of the publishers circular without
a label and then proceeded to read
formal statement which was a Sharp
criticism of the union and of President
Lynch.
Mr.. Driscon said that continuous in
dustrial peace had been enjoyed for
more than two years under the plan of
arbitration adopted by the association
and the union and until the occurrence
OF the two strikes at Spokane and Seat
lie, which he characterized as '.inexcus-
able, contending that the reasons put
forth justifying those strikes are unten-
able. He said that If arbitration had
been adhered to according to the obli-
cations of our agreement there would
have been no strike or disturbance of
our friendly relations
Continuing he said:
1.-The national board of arbitration
should have been organized as provided
In FeS n1ff -. ~...I..-
referred to. That board, if it had found
prior Irregularities or even fraud; if
publishers or unions had asked for con-
sideration of subjects not allowed in the
contract, has and does possess all nee
eSSary power to annul and wipe out
all previous proceedings and begin anew
| from the inception of the issues raised
and give an award which would be ac-
cepted by all parties in interest
He said it was not a pleasant duty to
criticise the president and executive
/ council of the union and added
But as a friend of your organization,
as representative of our association,
as man and a citizen, 1 am obliged
/ to enter my protest against these gross
violations of our arbitration contract"
| Referring to the two cases at issue
and stating his contentious respecting
them Mr.. Driscon said the existing
agreement should be respected and the
publishers at Spokane and Seattle re-
stored to the statu quo existing before
the strike, and that they should proceed
lunder the terms of the existing contract
to arbitrate and finally settle the diff
| ference He closed with an appeal to
the union to do what he regarded as
| its duty.
Mr.. DriscolTs speech was received
with applause, and the chair announced
| that it would be referred to the COM
mittee on arbitration. He added that
when the committee reports he would
make a statement in which he hoped
| to be able to show that the merits of
| the Washington controversy are not all
on one side
The convention then listened to an
Address by Martin P. Higgins, presi-
dent of the International Printing
/ Pressmen and Assistants union. Mr..
| Higgins said that he had been at one
time member of the Typographical
union, and referring to Mr.. Driscolls
address said he knew when. all the
facts shall be brought out it would be
/ a question as to who had broken the
contract in connection with the Wash
/ ington strike.
An address also was made by Coils
P. LOVelace, president of the Boot and
] Shoe Workers union. He thanked the
union for its support of his own or
ganization in its contentious. The con-
| VentiOn was also addressed by Mr..
Campbell, of the Textile Workers of
Philadelphia, who asked an expression
in support of their demand for re-
duction of working hours.
The privileges OF the nOOr were also
extended to former President William
d. Prescott of the typographical union,
and Samuel Gompers, president OF the
American Federation of Labor Mr..
GomDers spoke of the organization of
employers and said it is well to pro-
mote Cancellation and harmony with
the least amount of disturbance. vet.
he contended there is an element in
those organizations which fails utterly
to understand the purposes of unionism
and which is therefore calculated in
juriously to affect the best interests of
all.
He declared that no effort to destroy
unionism could succeed and said that
extremities on the side of employers
can be compared only to Herr Most.
"Parryism and its parasites he said,
referring to the recent speech of D. M.
Parry of Indianapolis, in criticism of
unionism, lis the greatest possible trib-
ute to our movement
The convention adopted an amend
ment to the bylaws providing that
when required representative of the
Newspaper Publishers association or
the United Typothetae shall be heard on
important changes in the laws affecting
their interests.