New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-04-27
PUSHING THE P'ROT0COL"
Miss Barnum Tells of Unique
Pact in Cloak Industry.
BOARDS SETTLE TROUBLES
Permanent Peace Treaty Pro-
vides Methods for Prevent
ing Industrial Wars.

Alltr SIN IllOIllHS vi SliSHuOuo WIN ASA wv
protocol in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsyl-
vania, Gertrude Barnum brings that un-
wearied interest IN her work that has al
ways been part Of her personality. MISS
Barnum IS the exception to many long ac-
cepted rules. A university graduate and
the daughter OF a judge, she has made the
cause Of working women her chief inter-
est in life. Others have done this, but
few have been able. situated as Miss Bar
mum was. TO lose all traces Of conscious
or unconscious patronage
She does not view her work in the light
OF a charity nor does she call herself
social worker. Her official title Is special
arbitration agent OF the International
Ladies' Garment Workers Union. but she
Is best known simply as Gertrude Barnum,
trade unionist
ITO be sure. have never been factory
operative myself" says Miss Barnum. but
YOU don't have To die Of tuberculosis to
know what 1t is
Tho Protocol Explained.
Let me tell you first just what the pro-
tocol is" said she 10 the writer. 1t has
been in operation since the big strike In
the cloak industry In 1910 but there are
still a great many persons who do not
have more than a vague idea Of what II
means The protocol was an agreement
between the employers and the workers
not only for the purpose of terminating
that strike but TO prevent others In future
IL settled a number of disputed questions
that arose In that strike as TO wages, the
Introduction of electric motor power Tor
machinery and the abolition OF home WORK.
That was as far as 1t related 10 pending
issues, but It was a permanent peace treaty
providing the means Of avoiding further
disputes" Miss Barnum continued:
To this end three boards were established
tho board of grievances, the poaro oI az
bitration and the joint board OF SANITARY
control. The last named Is formed OF Two
representatives Of the employers ass0 S
ton, two members OF the union anu thIeo
outsiders who represent the public at large
or the consumers. This board makes CON-
plete investigations and estaDHsnes slaru
ards of sanitation and fire protection. Inc
cost of the work is shared equally by the
manufacturers and the union. Both sides
agree to enforce the standards established
10 the full extent or their aplIlty. ..o,,,-
The board gives certificates 10 the mem
hers who have conformeG to requirements
and 80 per cent have already secured these.
The cause OF delay with the other AZ Az per
cent is the fact that many or the factories
REQUIRE structural changes. ana wnere the
factory is rented and not owned by the EN-
ployer It is hard to secure tnese oS dmds
however until after they have received
such certificates. Some OF the manulactuI
ers are moving into newer buildings that
are more in harmony, WIN 'he r rJ was
ments OF the protocol This board was
first advocated by the manufacturers anu
theirs is the only association OF elIIpioS w 90
that undertook 10 clean mouse Ine,i'e
and then clean UP tire whole INDUSTRY. 49,.
The board of grievances represents po.Il
sides equally and is court for nearing AL
complaints made by either. lts ruies "a
procedure are like those or Otncr courts;
Since its organization it has disposed OF
something like two thousand cases WllHoul
a strike. Just think of the economy 70
both sides and the JUSTICE 10 1ne s w Sns n
have to hear every case When a co III
plant is made a clerk representing ine
employers and one representing the UNION UNION
Investigate the causes, ana II Trey deISe
upon the trouble and its remedy that is the
end of the case. but If they disagree ~ "a
put upon the calendar and goes beiore tne
Hoard for trial. When the board reinstales
a discharged employe he Is given MS paCh
paw Some OF the busiest men in the III.
dustry sit on this board. and the Union has
its best representatives there: $3.50 -.
If there is a deadlock in the poaIu " "
grievances the case under consideration y
referred TO the board of aroitrauoh, WHICH
is the final court of appea, ana atnS az The
nrotocoI This Is a permanent ooaru, any
lie members are Morris Hillquit. Louis u.
RrandeIs and Hamilton Holt. 1t mas DeeH
in session once.
The important provision OF the protoco
that has attracted attention all over the
world. Miss Barnum said, is that there
shall be no strike or lockout till the dlrli'
Guilty has been submitted to the board OF
arbitration. There is no need for strikes
when the union has rational way OF
getting its due without wasting the bones
and blood Of the people, she declared.
Plan Spreads to Other Cities.
or her own activities in the movement
Miss Barnum had this 10 say:
Ny own share in this business has beer
as chairman OF the public agitation com
Inittee, with the idea OF extending tnt
protocol to other cities where the cloaF
trade fourishes. particularly the cities OF
the Middle West Cleveland Is the seconc
largest centre of this industry, ana SO Ia
only few of the Cleveland firms haVt
adopted the plan We first interview the
manufacturers and then try TO create Z
demand for protocol goods among the NOR
chants and the general pubic. Inc protoco
system must be extended both to protec
more workers and 10 equalizs condiuons II
the industry throughout the country an
prevent unfair competition
l have had four satisfactory operatives
in my committee who have been telling tnt
public something about conditions In non
protocol factories. Much home work II
given out and sometimes the ltsliar
women bring baby carriages to take !.
home. Children come on Saturoays' an'
school children do telling and pull bast
,ings In some shops where expensive Ions
plush coats are made the worker Is giver
Sc cents each for the making and mus
pay for her own needles. SILK, thread, OF