The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-08-26
CHARGES OF BAD FAITH.
Packers Issue a Statement Defining
Attitude Toward the Unions.

Chicago, Aug. 25.-For the first time
since the beginning Of the strike the pack
ers gave out a statement defining their
position. The union is charged with bad
faith throughout the negotiations. The
employers declare they will not make any
| agreement with the butcher workmen. The
statement follows:
"A review of the negotiations between
the packers and their striking employees
during the last two months absolutely
disproves the claims made by certain OF
the spokesman for the striking workers.
This review brings out some facts of first
Importance, which the union leaders have
sought to conceal or have avoided.
1T shows that the employers, from the
first, and as long as there was any prom
ise of results, stood for arbitration and a
peaceful settlement OF the differences at
issue.
1T shows that the union leaders, also
from the first, opposed such methods.
1T shows that the packers entered into
an agreement in good faith terminating
the first strike. and that the hotheaded
union leaders precipitately broke the
agreement. Arbitration was not appealed
to by the workers, although they had
given their pledge that it should be en-
ployed to adjust future differences.
THE men directing the struggle for the
labor organization twice had spurned ar
bitration and wantonly had thrown their
agreement to the winds. What was left
for the packers? BY these acts the en-
ployers have been told that arbitration is
not wanted and that trade agreements are
held to be of no account.
Let the public Judge from a sober re-
cital of the facts.
1.-The butcher workme went out on. the
first strike at noon, Tuesday, July IL.
Only twenty-four hours before the walk
out the packers were told that the strike
was imminent-in fact had been called.
They were notified to this effect in a let
July II. ri
Employers Offer Arbitration.
"a reply was given to this letter at
once. 1t was in the hands of the officers
of the union three hours after they had
sent their Statement. In 1t the employers
offered to submit all differences, including
wages, hours and conditions, to arbitra-
ton.
president Donnelly replied offhand to
this proposition with the declaration that
1t had come too late. The strike had al
ready been ordered in all packing centers.
1t must be concluded hat war. not peace.
was desired. Arbitration, SO much lauded
since then. was uncompromisingly re-
jected.
Notwithstanding this rebuff, the pack
ers entered into conferences with the
union TleH III u lew OdyS. 4Ley were QkllI
willing to let the adjustment Of troubles
go to arbitration, agreeing to take back as
many OF the strikers as possible in the or
der in which they sought for their forme,
positions.
"a demand arose all over the country,
from the press. the pulpit and from promi-
nent citizens that the strike be settled
Donnelly was forced to yield to the pres
sure and to consent to arbitration.
"An agreement was made after a week.
1t was considered fair to both sides. Il:
was nearly as favorable to the men as the
proposition of the packers before the
strike. Form r employees were to be taken
back as rapidly as possible, and the points
in dispute were to be arbitrated.
While the first strike was in progress
however. the cattle butchers met and de.
cided on a plan Of action Independent OF
that adopted by the general officers of the
organization. They voted that II all OF
their member were not Immediately rein.
stated none would return. The agreement
provided otherwise. but the butchers re
solved to disregard 1t and to be bound only,
by the arbitrary course they had decided
ION the Friday morning when the for
mer employees were to return under TIN.
agreement. the butchers carried out thei
policy. They deliberately broke the agree
When President Donnellv was toll
OF this he ordered the second strike. sane
-N - --H