Evening journal., 1909-07-12
THAT DOUGLAS
CONTROVERSY
Committee Of Citizens OF
BrOCktOn Mass, Makes a
Detailed Report

H~FOtt
The following is the report OF the
committee of i've citizens Of Brock
ton, Mass, which was requested to
examine the difficulty between the
Douglas Shoe Company of that city
and the Boot and Shoe Workers
Union.
Brockton. June Il, 1909.
To the Members of the City Govern
ment Committee.
Gentlemen-In view of the depress-
ed state Of feeling regarding the shoe
industry Of our city at the beginning
of the year, and its uncertain future.
you asked us in tho early part of
January to investigate tho conditions,
and report TO you the results.
Your request was that we should
make an exhaustive investigation Of
the causes which are responsible for
the recent exodus of a large part of
the shoe industry from our city. And
further that this committee be given
the opportunity OF presenting its re-
port after a careful study of the facts.
together with any recommendations
that may arise from the same as a
possible basis for the settlement Of
the present industrial disturbance"
Douglas Controversy.
Perhaps the chief cause of the more
recent industrial depression here. and
the consequent departure Of conf
dence, among operatives manufactur-
ers and the city-at- large. was the
failure Of the Boot and Shoe Workers
Union TO renew contractual relations
with the w. l.. Douglas Shoe Co last
November, when the contract with the
firm expired. As a result, the Com
pany has established five factories in
other towns and cities in Massachus-
etts. Maine and New Hampshire. But
a small part of its manufacturing is
done here Where a year ago $4,000
pairs of shoes a day were made in It's
BrocSton factories. now there are but
1900. Where a year ago 5000 shoe
workers were employed, now there are
but 300 engaged in making the com
plete shoe. although there are 500 more
cutting stock 10 be made into shoes in
the out-of- town factories.
And we are led TO believe that the
number of employees here will be fur
ther decreased. unless present condi-
tons are improved This, of course
Involves a stupendous loss, 20 the gen
eral business interests Of the city and
to Brockton's reputation as a manu-
featuring center.
While tho Douglas controversy was
not specifically referred to us by the
city committee, we think that IT is g,
involved I'm the removal of business
from Broclton that we feel that Il
may be helpful 10 consider it in it'
general aspects as bearing on the
se
our purpose or Office 10 enter into &
discussion OF the troubles. existing be.
tween the W. J.. Douglas Shoe Co. OF
the one hand and the Boot and Shoe
Workers Union on the other, we do
say without hesitation that after Z
calm and dispassionate survey of thl
facts. including the statement of th'
w. l.. Douglas Shoe Co and the Boo
and Shoe Workers Union through IL
president, John +. Tobin, that Their
was no justification for the seyeranc
of contractual relations, and the con
sequent loss TO Brockton OF one of IL
foremost manufacturers, who has a
much, if not more than any other. I'D
. vertised the "Brockton shoe," and mad
known the skill Of it's workmen in al
parts Of the world.
, In short, the whole trohble aros
over the interpreted tion of the con
: tract, which both had signed an
p promised to abide by. And ifl an.
difficulty arose which could not b
adjusted TO the satisfaction OF bot
, parties. then it should be submitte
2 to the state board OF conciliation an
arbitration for their decision. whc
should be binding upon both parties.
Here is the section Of that contrao
agreed to I'm 1898. and continuing j.
force UP to the first Of Novembei
1905:
''Eleventh-Both said parties agre
to adjust in an honest and equitabl
manner all grievances Of whatever ma
: ture, and all matters OF dispute
reference to wages, or any other sub
/. ject, including the true constructio
Of this agreement, that may arise be
tween them, and in case Of failure [
mutually adjust any dispute or griev
ance, the parties of the first part an
the members Of the department wher
such dispute or grievance may aris
] shall join in the matter provided b
p statute in an application to the Mass
achusetts state board of arbitratio
for a decision on the matters, or mat
> ter in dispute, and the decision {
such board shall be binding upon th
party Of the first part the party {
the second part. the local unions, an
= the employees"
In 1905 the above section was II
affirmed, and extended for a term ,
three years. And as though TO max
it even more explicit, the followin
paragraph was added:
d Tt is agreed that section II of II
:. within contract shall be construed
- mean that the employer has the rigl
at any time, TO change its system, {
TO introduce new methods in the mar
ufacture of its product, but in sue
cases notice Of the change is TO I
given to the local union, or unions al
q fected. and the price when mad
= either by mutual ~reement, or
: arbitration. shall Sate from the tin
= OF making the change. There sha
- be no interruption of work on accoui
Of. or interference with. such change
while prices are being fixed Pendir
4 a decision, wages shall be paid on AZ
y count at the rate which the parti
hereto agree upon to be just
In Controversy.
i. The special part Of the supplement
Section II. over which the controver
arose, was:
iu 1T is agreed that Section II Of Il
within contract shall be construed
st mean that the employer has ,, right