Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-05-16
Statement Of Their Side
Of Paper Strike
Made Before New York Board
OF Arbitration.
Recites Thst Labor Leaders Broke
Faith With Them.

1
Mediation and Arbitration.
Sections No. l43 and No. IA. estab-
| lish the procedure for said board in
case a dispute between an employer
and his employees is submitted To il
| by both parties for arbitration.
Section No. 14l-Mediation and in
lvestigation, provides as follows:
whenever a strike or lockout occurs
or is seriously threatened. an officer
| or agent Of the Bureau of Mediation
and Arbitration shall, if practicable,
proceed promptly to the locality there
of and endeavor, by mediation. to eff
feet an amicable settlement of the
controversy. If the commissioner of
labor deems it advisable, the Board of
Mediation and Arbitration may pro-
coed to the locality and inquire into
the cause thereof, and for that pur-
pose shall have all the powers con-
ferred upon it in the case of con-
troverSy submitted to it for arbitra-
ton" Having decided upon a COM
pulsory investigation. the board shall
examine the matter in controversy,
may subpoena witnesses, compel their
attendance take and hear testimony,
and call for and examine books,
papers and documents of any parties
to the controversy. The board shall
render a decision within ten days
showing clearly the nature of, the con-
troversy, making written report of
their findings of fact and their recon-
mendations to each party Of the con-
trOVerSy.
1t has been explained by the chair
49, ~, &c
sioner of labor had endeavored to
secure the consent of the Interna-
tional Paper Company to some kind of
mediation proceedings, following the
calling off of the strike, which would
result in an agreement between the
company and its employees, governing
absolutely their mutual relations and
the condition of labor in the COM
pany's plants.
The company was Informed by the
commissioner of labor that an investi-
CATION would be ordered, if the COM
pany refused its consent to this plan.
After considering, at its regular meet
ing, this proposition and its alterna-
tive, the board of directors of the
company, by unanimous vote, declin-
ed the proposition. being Influenced
by TIE following facts:
lst-The company is not aware of
any controversy existing at present
between itself and the men employed
in it's New York state mills.
2d-Thc company does not dispute
the right of its past employees to
leave its service, either individually
or in a body.
3rd-The Niagara Falls, Ticonder-
oga. ,Cadyvillc, Fort Edward and
Woods Falls plants are now running
full-the vacancies created by the
strike having been filed The Pierce
field mill is running under the same
conditions as existed before the
strike. The Glcns Falls plant is run
ming full with the exception or one
paper machine and it is expected that
this machine will be running before
the close of the present week. At
Corinih, the pulp mills are running
fun and six of the nine paper ma
chimes are in operation. As soon as
the village authorities of Corlnth
establish proper law and order the
company's employees will take up
residence outside of the plant and all
machines will be put in operation
4th--A large number of the COM
panys employees in New York state
| have written agreements, fixing their
relations with the company, and no
later agreement can be considered
which conflicts with their rights.
5th--The company considers it wise
| 10 deal directly with its employees, and
not through third party.
6th-The company understood the
| request of the labor commissioner to
involve the recognition of the pulp
! and papermakers' unions and, for
business reasons. the company refus
| ed to have dealings with irresponsible
parties.
The Board of Arbitration has sub
poenaed and taken testimony from a
large number of men who We're
prominent in precipitating the strike.
II has subpoenaed and examined the
superintendent of the Corinth and
| Fort Edward mills. 1t has subpoenaed
and examined a number of persons
indirectly interested in the situation.
1t has invited the officers of the labor
unions to be present and has taken
their testimony.
In similar manner. the board has
| invited the company 10 be represent
ed. In order to assist the Board. of
Arbitration in securing information as
| to the cause of the strike. this state
ment has been prepared and is now
submitted.
| The company has always endeavor-
ed to meet the wishes of it's employees
as regards hours and wages.
| January 81. 1S98-Tour employees
worked an average of twelve hours
day; other employees worked ten hours
per day. The wages Of all employees
remained the same as paid by the in
dependent companies in existence
previous to the formation Of the Inter-
national Paper Company. Different
wages were paid at different mills FOR
the same class of service.
June /, 1910-The weekly running
time was reduced from IA hours 10
131 hours without any reduction IN
pay. This change increased the hour
ly rate ten per cent.
June 16. 1902-Day employees were
advanced eight per cent Tour en-
ployes were advanced ten per ceh: