New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-05
GARMENT WORKERS
REFUSE MEDIATION
Quit Chamber of Commerce
Arbitration Conference,
Denying Truce.
EMPLOYERS STAND FIRM
Refuse Concessions on Wages
and Working Hours-Strike
Leaders Assert That All
Employees Are Out.

All efforts OF the arbitration committee
of the Chamber of Commerce to bring
about a settlement between the garment
manufacturers and their striking cm-
ployes were declared off yesterday when
the strike leaders withdrew from the con-
ference and refused TO have anything
more to do with the plan of settlement
proposed by the committee.
This plan was for the appointment of
commission to investigate conditions in
the shops on all points except wages and
hours Of work. The commission was to
have no mandatory powers, but was sim
ply to report recommendations.
1.-THE representatives of tho clothing
trades in the conference" said Thomas
A. Rckert, general president of the gar
ment workers, yesterday. absolutely re-
fused to concede the question of hours
and wages as point to be considered by
the commission. Hours and wages arc
the main points at stake. The thing was
a joke. They demanded n truce, to be fol-
lowed by several months investigation,
and then after all was said and done,
nothing would bc settled except "A few
minor points. and they only in the form
Of recommendations
The workers in the garment union are
not opposed to arbitration. provided
both sides agree beforehand TO the points
to be arbitrated. No such agreement
could be reached at the Chamber OF Com
merce meetings, nor could we even get
the employers to agree to a commission
with mandatory powers. Therefore. there
Cf( In Ultn
We do not believe the employers are will
Ing to arbitrate. There are no plans for
arbitration now afoot."
Maintain All Workers Arc Out.
Mr.. Rickert said the concentrating
trade was the only industry in which no
concessions had been made to the workers
for the last ten years. The standard OF
work turned out, he said. had been
raised. and the cost of living had In
creased. but no advance I'm wages had
been granted to the garment workers.
Other labor leaders reiterated their opin-
ions, expressed several days ago In The
Tribune at the beginning OF the efforts
of the Chamber of Commerce TO bring
about peace. that they had no faith in
that body, since II was noe composed OF
capitalists.
1t was said yesterday that practically
100 per cent Of the workers were now out
on strike. and that the cessation OF the
efforts at settlement would mean from
now the prosecution OF the strike on more
militant lines.
There will undoubtedly be great suf-
fering," said Mr.. Rickort but we are
confident that the workers will fight on.
no matter what their condition"
The war chest OF the union was mate
rally strengthened for the continuation
of the fight by gift OF N.oco from Joseph
S. Marcus. n former clothing manufact-
urer. now president Of the Public Bank
OF New York. In his letter accompany
ing the donation Mr. Marcus said:
II this strike must be continued. ii is my
earnest desire that the parties 10 this CON
troyersy shall by persuasion, argument
and reason seek TO settle their differences
AS one interested in the welfare or me
working masses. and knowing OF your
need for financial aid. ] take the liberty
Of inclosing my personal check Tor sl,vp.
which you will kindly apply for the pen
eft of those most needy OF support among
YOU.