New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-02
Oscar Straus, Cyrus Sulz-
berger and DIR. Magnes
Ask for Arbitration.
SAY THOUSANDS
WOULD SUFFER
Louis Marshall Joins in Note
to Employers - Gompers
Charges Unfairness.

Jacob II. Schif, Oscar Straus, Cyrus
Sulzberger, DR.. J. L. Magnes and Louis
Marshall have Joined in letter to the
executive committee of the Cloak, Suit
and Skirt Manufacturers, urging that
the employers avert the threatened
strike by agreeing to the plan OF arbi-
tration submitted last week by the In
ternational Ladies' Garment Workers
Union and the Cloak and Suit Makers
Union.
The letter follows:
Executive Committee Of the Cloak and
Suit Manufacturers Association, 200
Fifth Avenue, New York City.
Gentlemen: As citizens interested
In the public welfare, we have followed
with keenest interest the situation
which Is at the present time confront
ing employers ana employees in the i'm
portant cloal and suit Industry Of the
city.
Under ordinary circumstances We
should hesitate greatly TO approach
you on this matter. But in the days Of
war and catastrophe we cannot. in good
conscience, be the mute witnesses to an
impending struggle in your industry
a struggle which would affect some
fifty thousand workers and several
thousand employers, and many thou
sands OF others dependent upon them.
Warfare will disturb the orderly prog
ress of an industry which Of late the
community has been taught to look
upon with pride. A conflict at the
present time would mean an appalling
economic and moral waste to the entire
community, and will engender a bitter
ness that will last many years.
1--WE are not unmindful of the diff
cultes and complexities of the situa-
ton. We are well aware that you have
given much time and thought TO a seri-
Gus study Of these difficulties, and that
you have endeavored in painstaking
fashion to meet these complexities.
I'VE know of the many sacrifices
that you have brought during the last
five years to make effective the col
lective agreement with your organized
workers.
I'VE cannot, however, bring ourselves
to believe that matters have come TO
such a pass that serious strife and
its' distressing consequences are alb
solutely the only way out. On the
contrary, we feel that a reasonable
solution of the problem can and ought
to be found.
I'VE have learned with considerable
interest that the union has proposed
TO you that the contentious in the IN
dustry be forthwith submitted for ad-
justment TO a committee or board OF
unbiased persons. We would urge you
in the public interest, as well as IN
the true interest of employer and en-
ploye, TO accept this proposal We
wish at the same time to assure you
that our committee, either collectively
or individually, stands ready 10 do
anything it can to aid in bringing
about satisfactory adjustment of the
difficulties confronting the industry"
The employees suggested in their plea
for the arbitration of their demand
for a uniform standard wage, based on
earnings throughout the industry, that
either Mayor Mitchell or Louis Bran
deis, the lawyer, be placed at the head
of the committee, whose mem bers
should be chosen in equal numbers by
both sides in the controversy The
executive board of the Cloak, Suit and
Skirt Manufacturers Association will
hold a meeting tomorrow 20 draft an
answer to the unions proposition.
In statement issued yesterday,
Samuel Gompers, president OF the
American Federation of Labor, criti-
cised the cloak and suit employers for
alleged unfair dealings with their en-
ployes. The employers, Mr.. Gompers
accuses, abolished the protocol"
which bound them to deal collectively
with labor, in an attempt to increase
hours and decrease wages.
"Not only will the workers uphold
existing industrial conditions" says
Mr.. Gompers, "but they will demand
Justice in the courts. They will not
tamely submit 10 plans to weaken or
ganization by unwarranted attacks
upon leaders or persecution through
litigation"