Evening journal., 1913-12-03
LABOR WANTS
TO KNOW WHY
MEN SUFFER
Wage and Time Reductions in
City Plants Move Work
erS to Action
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ASKED FOR EXPLANATION

Several manufacturing plants Of this
sty having reduced their working force
or working hours and the Mccullough
Iron Company having made a 10 per
cent wage cut, members of the Central
Labor Union at meeting last night
adopted resolutions asking the Chamber
Of Commerce to explain why the pres
ent Industrial depression exists. Union
men throughout the country have taken
action in one way or another on the
subject since Secretary of Labor Wilson,
in a speech at Seattle, Washington, said
.hat there were industrial establish
nents attempting to lay men of in re-
aliation of the tariff reductions. Sec
retary Wilson said chat such action on
the part Of manufi .urers would be in
vestigated by the Government.
The resolution, as adopted last night
md ordered sent to the Chamber of
commerce, follows:
Wilmington, Del, Dec. ,.
The Wilmington Chamber Of Com
merce, Wilmington, Del.
Gentlemen: On the assumption
that the Chamber OF Commerce is,
more than any other organization in
this city. formed Of those who are in
charge of the industrial and COM
mercal affairs OF the city, and that
the Chamber of Commerce exists for
the purpose of better enabling those
in charge to accomplish their con-
trol and management of these af-
fairs: we appeal TO you.
The Central Labor Union repre-
sents. perhaps more than any other
organization in the city, those who
work in the Industries of the city,
out who have no part in their man
agcment
Although having no part in their
management they are, nevertheless.
very much dependent on them and
affected more keenly than perhaps
anyone else by the conditions pre-
vailing in them.
AT present, owing to the extent
to which work has been suspend
ed and the number of men em-
ployed reduced, those of us who
are thus dependant and affected
are liable TO hardship and even
privation.
This is especially true in view
OF present food prices and ether
living costs.
We therefore appeal to you, as
being In charge and far more
familiar with the internal affairs
OF these industrial and mercan-
tile affairs than we are; to tell
us what is the matter and what
can be done.
Considering the suffering some
are liable to undergo. have We
any choice as thinking earnest
men. but to try to find out the
reason and remedy for present
bad conditions just as the reason
and remedy for an epidemic of
disease are sought for and a rem
edy tried?
should we go elsewhere than
TO you?
May we therefore ask that you
tell us. as best you can. why
these conditions exist at this
time. and what may best be done
to remedy them?
Are they due to manipulation
OF the tariff schedules which has
upset industrial affairs?
Are they due to the develop
ment of the country being at a
standstill, and if so, why is this
the case2
Is 1t due to any Inherent fault
in our present industrial system
and what can be done to rem
edy II?
If you can give us no definite
information. or if you do not care
to, would you suggest that we
apply to President Wilson?
# you feel yourselves no better
able than we are to account for
or remedy these conditions, will
YOU consider some plan for
Joint consideration Of them and
an effort to find a remedy?
Considering the gravity Of our
situation, Will you give this com
munication very serious consid-
GRAFTON and a reply?
Respectfully
vii. Central Labor Union.
Secretary, J. Winfield Scott.