Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-08-25
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:
~ review of the negotiations between
the packers and their striking employees
during the last two months absolutely
'disproves he 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.
ut shows that the employers, from the
first, and as long as there was any prom
Use of results. stood for arbitration and a
peaceful settlement of the differences at
issue.
ut shows that the union leaders, also
from the first, opposed such methods.
ut shows that the packers entered into
AN agreement in good faith terminating
the first strike, and that the hotleaded
union leaders precipitately broke the
agreement Arbitration was not appealed
to by the workers, although they had
given their pledge that it should be cm-
ployed to adjust future differences.
1.-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 sober re-
cital of the facts
."rhc butcher workmen went out on the
first strike at noon, Tuesday, July 10.
Only twenty -four hours before the walk
out the packers were told that the strike
was immincnt---in fact had been called.
They were notified to this effect in a let
tyr received on the afternoon of Monday,
Jaly IL.
Employers Offer Arbitration.
IA 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
it had come too late. The strike had al
ready been ordered in all packing centers.
1t must be concluded that war, not peace,
was desired. Arbitration. so much lauded
since then, was uncompromisingly re-
jccted.
Notwithstanding this rebuff, the pack
ers entered into conferences with the
union men in few days. They were still
willing to let the adjustment of troubles
go to arbitration, agreeing to take back q s
many of the strikers as possible in the or.
der in which they sought for their former
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.
can agreement was made after week
1t was considered fair to both sides. L.
was nearly as favorable to the men as tn,
proposition of the packers before the
strike. Former employees We're 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 O. plan of action Independent OF
that adopted by the general officers of tn,
organization. They voted that If all OF
their members were not Immediately rein
stated none would return. The agreemcn
provided otherwise, but the butchers rc
solved to disregard it and to be bound onl
by the arbitrary course they had decide.
OH.
"On the Friday morning when the for
mer employees were to return under th.
agreement the butchers carried out thei
policy. They deliberately broke the agree
ment. When President Donnelly was toll
of this he ordered the second strike sane