The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-09-02
CHARGES OF BAD FAITH,
Packers Issue Statement Defining
Attitude Toward the Unions,

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 there was any prom
ise Of results. stood for arbitra ton 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 prccipitately 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.
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-
ctal of the facts.
1.-The butcher workmen went out on the
first strike at noon, Tuesday, July u.
Only twenty-four hours before the walk
tbo hof I, rily
was imminent-in fact had been called.
They were notified to this effect in let
ter received on the AFTERNOON of Monday.
July II.
Employers Offer Arbitration.
"a reply was given to this letter at
once. It 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 declara ton that
it had come too late. The strike had al
ready been ordered in all packing centcrs
It must be concluded that war, not peace
was desired. Arbitrat so much Iauded
since then. was uncompromisngly re-
jected.
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 as
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 arbitra ton.
IAN agreement was made after a week
It was considered fair to bot. SIDES I.
was nearly as favorable to the men as the
proposition of the packers before the
strike. Former employees were to be taker
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 q plan of action independent OF
that adopted by the general officers Of the
organization. They voted that If all OF
their members were not Immediately rein
stated none would return. The agreement
provided otherwise. but the butchers re-
solved to disregard it and to be bound only
by the arbitrary course they had decidec
on.
"On the Friday morning when the for
mer employees were to return under this
agreement the butchers carried out thei
policy. They deliberately broke the agree
n1ent. When President Donnelly was toll
of this he ordered the second strike sane