Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-05-23

oiCd IIcdIl Is uut Commissioners
Thomas j. Lyons of the Maine Bureau
of Industrial and Labor Statistics,
for the settlement of the papermakers'
strike which, before he entered into
negotiations with the International
Paper Co, threatened to involve all
the mills in Maine and cripple one of
the States Leading industries Credit
should be given him for his tact and
foresight as well as for the thorough
knowledge of the points at issue which
enabled him to talk with the officials
of the company to good purpose.
Mr.. Lyons, in an interview with the
Ken1obec journal said:
THE Importance of the settlement
Of this strike. extending as it did to
the mills of the international! Paper
Co. in Maine, New York and New
Hampshire, can hardly be appreciate
ed. especially by those not conversant
with the seriousness of the situation
and the great interests involved. Pa
perInaking is one of our principal in
dustries and, while the strike in Maine
was confined to the mills at Liver
moro Falls, there was a probability
that in the event Of no settlement be-
ing made at this time, the strike, with
all Of it's disastrous consequences,
would have extended to other mills in
the State.
The strike at Livermcre Falls COM
menced March 81. 1910, and while it
was inaugurated without any warn
ing being given the company, there is
no doubt but that it had been con-
templated for some time. The cause of
the trouble dates back to the strike
of the papermakers in 1908, at which
time. principally on account of dis
sention in their own ranks and juriS-
dictinnal contention with other or
CARNATIONS the union was defeated
and the men returned to work under
conditions that did not insure sat
isfactory or lasting peace. There is no
doubt but that this had much to do
with precipitating the strike that has
just been settled.
THE law provides that the commits
sioner of labor shall inquire into the
immediate causes of strikes, lOckOutS
and other disturbances between en-
ployors and employees. In accordance
with this law | went to LiVermorc
Falls April 10. 1910. and from what |
learned there was convinced that con-
ditiors existed which should be cor
rected as soon as possible, i'll order to
bring to an end struggle that had
already materially reduced the pOpu-
lation of the town. paralyzed business
and threatened the peace and pros
perity of other communities and of d
great industry. Previous to my visit
that state Board of Arbitration ana
Cancellation had endeavored to bring
about settlement. The State board of
New York, the National Civic FEEDER
alton. Boards of Trade of the several
MUNICIPALITIES and other agencies had
also endeavored to bring together tie
contcnding parties for the purpose OF
restoring peace, but apparently with
out result. 1t was with some misgiv-
ing, therefore. that I addressed the
following letter to the lnternationai
Paper Co:
STATE OF MAINE.
Bureau of Industrial and Labor status
tics Augusta, Maine, April q, 1910.
International Paper Company,
80 Broad St. New York. n. y
Gentlemen:
one OF the uutleS ueNOINiiS upoii u
Commissioner of the Bureau of Industrial
and Labor Statistics of this State Is TO
inquire into the immediate causes OF
strikes, lockouts and other disturbances
between employers and employees. al. IN
compliance with the provisions of this
law | have been to Livermore Fails to
investigate the trouble in your mills there
and / am very sorry to find conditions as
they are.
During my visit l interviewed many of
al1tli lt l.
GERS of the local organization of paper
makers. | also had a very pleasant and
interesting talk with Mr.. Edwin Riley, a
former superintendent of the mills. ana
with Mr.. Campbell. the present superin-
tendent l was at I.ivermore Falls at
the time of the strike in 1908. and strong
ly advised the men to go back to work
after having been assured by the officials
of the mills that the company had no
feelings against labor organizations, and
that if the men would go back to work
and perfect their organization, the com
pany would treat with them as such This
surance was also given in a statement
made by you under date of September
30, 1903, in which you say-"that the com
pany may not be misQuoted or mlsunder-
stood it desires ito state that it is not OPP
posed to organized labor, but is prepared
to recognize any organization which Is
properly constituted and can convince the
companys officials that any contract or
agreeme entered INTO between ny VI !
ganization and the manufacturer will be
lived up to and carried out IN sooo
faith" I have reason to believe that the
consideration of these assurances given
by your and your officials had much t.
do in determining the men to call the
strike off at that time.
Upon my last visit to Livermore Falls
was very much SURPRISED to learn that
Notwithstanding these assurances, wher
the men applied for reinstatement they
were required, as a condition of employ.
ment, to sign paper pledging themselves
not to join any labor organization whllf
| in the employ of the international Paper
Company. You no doubt had what yot
consider "a good reason for insisting upor
this requirement. but from the viewpoint
| of an onlooker 1t certainly did not ieavt