The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-14
Members of Unions Urged tn Accept
the Arbitration Plan OF the EN-
pIoyers' Association.
CANCELLATION RECOMMENDED
DIsBANDMENT OF RIVAL UNIONS
ALSO SUGGESTED,
As Well M Leniency so Those Who
Formed the New ORGANIZATIONS
General Labor News.

NEW YORK, Oct. BIN a letter to the
Building Trades Union of this city, made
public tonight, Samuel Gompers, president
Of the American Federation of Labor, and
James Duncan, secretary, have recon-
znended that the unions agree to the plan
OF arbitration Of the Employers Associa-
tion. This action. which comes after Mr..
Gompsrs's investigation of the labor situ-
alton In this city, Is considered a defeat
FOR the building trades unions which have
refused to sign the plan of arbitration. 1t
IS also recommended that the unions which
have signed the agreement insist on the
disbandment OF such organizations which
have been instituted recently as rivals to
the previously existing unions of the trade.
Mr. Gompers also recommends that the
unions be lenient with the members of the
rival organizations and afford them an
opportunity to Join the union ranks.
Although seeing flaws in the plan of ar
bitratiop az submitted by the employers.
Mr. Gompers approves it on the whole.
particularly In its elimination of the purely
sympathetic strikes. After reviewing the
troubles in the building industry the letter
says in part: 1T is evident that quite
apart from either the justness or injustice
has been brought into play to such ex-
tremes at other times for entirely INSULT
Gent reasons that even its advocates now
deprecate its use. II Is therefore not I'm
natural that reaction has set in and that
the opinion prevails that all differences
IN disputes between employers and work.
men can or must be adjusted by arbi-
fration
In our opinion time and circumstances
alone will demonstrate that agreements
with employers for the maintenance of in
dustrial peace and the pursuit of the policy
OF Cancellation with every honorable eff
fort at arbitration of disputed points and
YET maintaining the largest possible limit
of freedom or action OF the unions, will
tend to the establishment of more rightful
relations between the workmen and their
employers and the establishment of a larg-
err degree OF Industrial tranquility than
any coercive policy OF compulsory arbitra-
flon. whether enforced by combinations of
employers or by the state.
We nave carefully examined the splan
or arbitration agreed upon by some unions
and the Employing Builders Association
and are persuaded that misapprehension
exists In the minds OF the members OF those
unions which have refused to agree to its
terms The plan provides for union estab-
lishment, the maintenance of wages and
hours of labor, and eliminates the purely
sympathetic strike. We are equally con-
WINGED tn the plan Is by no means per-
feet AM that many changes are essential
and the period of time within which the in
vestigations are to occur and the awards
are to be considered. These, however,
ought not TO be difficult obstacles TO over
come.
We therefore recommend: First, that
the building trades unions which have
either been locked out or have been on strike
because of their refusal TO sign the plan OF
arbitration, agree thereto.
.'Second-That the building trades unions
whicE have signed the agreement insist
upon the disbanding Of such organizations as
have been Instituted recently as rivals to the
bona fde and duly constituted unions of the
trade.
.Third-That the unions affected exercise
1eniency and afford easy terms upon which
those may return who were members OF
rival organizations and those who have not
been members of the bona fide unions sc
affected may be afforded an opportunity OF
membership upon the same terms as other
nonunion applicants.
I'VE commend the above TO your consider
alton and trust il may receive your earnest
early and favorable action