Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-13


make an original demand for reduced
wages or Increase of hours, and in that
case the union could not present to the
board counter proposition for its consid-
GRAFTON. To practically carry out this idea
would require half dozen ambulatory
boards travelling all over the country to
hear in one case the union, and demands.
during the next month, Of the publishers
proposition. If it Is desired to prevent the
board of arbitration from considering all
the facts In each case, this Is a patent
method Of accomplishing unfair work and
of needlessly multiplying labor and effort
frequent and unnecessary turmoil.
This ruling or Interpretation so called
has been made by President Lynch, repre-
senting one of the parties to this agree
therefrom in emphatic terms. In June,
1902, President Lynch agreed, in writing,
with Mr.. Mccormick, the chairman of our
special standing committee after a con-
ference on the subject, that whenever the
two members of the national board of ar
bitration disagreed to the interpreta-
ton of the terms of the contract, such diff
ferences should be arbitrated by the selec-
ton of third arbitrator. Out of the many
differences of Interpretation which have
arisen, but one case has been arbitrated as
provided.
Power Of Arbitration Board.
I'm addition l contend that even if the
contract in demanding to have arbitrated
matters which were outside of the limita-
tions imposed in such contracts, the ma
tional arbitration board had power to hold
each party within their proper limitations
to consider only that which was proper to
be heard, and to make an award based on
the evidence and pleadings.
I'm the same way the trouble at Spokane
could have been avoided. Even If gross
fraud was proven on the part Of the local
board, which / utterly deny, 1t was wholly
within the power OF the national BOARD
when appeal and review were granted, to
have ignored all that had previously trans
pired and to begin anew from the incep-
ton of the unions demand. I made the
proposition to President Lynch to join
with me in selecting third arbitrator.
but he declined to do SO unless I would
consent to exclude consideration of the
publishers request, and l regret to have to
state he most grossly violated the express
provisions of the contract bearing his own
signature and promise to the publisher
that there should be no strike during the
life of that contract.
Now, in view of this sad experience, you
will all concede it would seem to be useless
to make any amendments to the contract
with parties who have heretofore broken It.
The special standing committee is ready
and willing at any time to take up. with
your executive council, the consideration of
whatever may seem to you as unequal or
only assurance which would be convincing
to the publishers that you would carry out
your agreed part in any amended arrange
ments would be that you should respect
publishers of Seattle and Spokane the
statu quo before the strike, and proceed
with regularity under the terms of the ex-
listing contract to arbitrate and finally set
tie the differences existing in our offices
in those two cities.
IF you are indisposed or refuse to fur
nish such assurance the publishers GER
tainly would look upon the prospect of
your union keeping any amended agree
ment and faithfully observing it's obliga-
tions as hopeless.
Honor Of Organization at Stake.
I'VE regard the honor of your organiza-
ton is at stake Your union has the repu-
tation Of being one of the most conserva-
tive, honorable, and intelligent of all the
unions of the country. AS it is one of the
Oldest urions it's long experience should
apparently at least have enabled it to ac-
quire more wisdom than is possessed by
many younger organizations. This wisdom
should teach the lesson that it is extremely
unwise to trife with sacred contract be-
tween two great organizations like ours,
and that no violation of contract should be
countenanced by your convention in this
crisis. The happiness and comfort of thous-
ards of your members are involved in this
issue and to whether you will abide by or
break your contracts. Any party who
breaks contracts forfeits the confidence and
good faith which previously reposed in him.
|. 1T remains for this convention to deter
mine what path shall be pursued here
after. If the straight path of carrying out
our sacred obligations is followed indus
trial peace, with its numerous blessings,
will result. If the crooked path of broken
contracts is to be pursued the consequence
will be deplored on every hand.
| tor oSfrn rer1x
to adhere to the straight path, and thereby
not only preserve the general estima tion
In which your organiza ton is held but also
secure to your membership the greatest
good to the greatest numb-r."
AT the close of this address President
Lynch said that he would have some hing
to say In reply before the close of the con-
vention, and that he would show that the
violation of the contract was not on the
part Of the I. T. U. or its president, but
that 1t was violated by the publishers.
Representatives of Other Unions.
Following this the privileges of the floor
were granted to representatives of the Tex
tile Workers Union, the Boot and Shoe
Workers and the Printing Pressmen and
Assistants, all of whom have been having
industrial troubles during the past few
months. The burden of the addresses de-
hvered by the representatives of these
unions was to evoke greater interest and
enthusiasm on tne part OF the l. L. u. and
the support of that organizatio both
financial and moral, earnestly asked.
Delegate Campbell of the Textile Wo. kers
said:
I'VE are supplicating you for assistance
for our children and our families, not for
the single men, who are able to take care
of themselves, but for the babies who ought
to be at school, and not in the factory when
they are eight years of age. Where is your
commissioner of labor?" he asked Where
are the laws Of the states and of the coun-
try? We are asking for our families for
your financial support until we win this
fight, in which we will continue until death
or success ends 1T. What financial support
will you give us to enable us to maintain
our union and to again bring them into the
fold of the only body worthy the name OF
organized labor-the American Federation
of Labor
This speechmaking followed by an
address by former President Prescott of the
International Union, who was referred to ir
| the introduction of President Lynch as the
man who had battled in and out of season
for the control by the printers of machines
His remarks were applied to the work that
had been accomplished in that line, though
he disclaimed any personal laudation for
the result.