The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-14
IN THE GARMENT TRADE.
A statement Of the Attitude OF the
Unions in the Industry.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SrN-Str: Dur
Ing the past week the manufacturers IN
the cloak and suit industry have issued
various statements plainly designed 10
prejudice public opinion against the
union I'm advance of the public hearings
before the council Of Cancellation which
both parties to the present controversy
had agreed to ask Mayor Mitchell to APP
point. and which he did appoint on July
o. In these statements the manufec-
turers have asserted that the union has
fallen into the hands of leaders who re-
gard the protocol not as an instrument
for the peaceful adjustment OF disputes
but az IAN additional weapon with
which to hit the employer" that these
leaders have Insisted upon curtailing the
employ ers' right to discharge to such
an extent as to cripple the efficiency ot
the industry, and that the union is re-
%sponsible for the development OF the
so-called social shop" a perfumed sub
stitute for 'sweatshop' invented by their
astute counsel. through which the EN-
ployers are said to bo exposed to ruin
Gus competition.
The members Of the Cloak and Suit
Makers Union. AZ workers in an indus
try that intimately affects the comfort
and well being of the entire community,
have a deep sense OF their responsibility
to the public and are always eager TO
rest their case Mt the bar Of public opin-
ion. II Ia difficult, therefore, to resist
the temptation 10 show that the union
has always been the first to Insist upon
the discharge OF incompetent workers
whore the charge of Incompetence rs
not clearly n blind to get rid of a man
or woman because OF prope union a'-
tivity. and prove that the so-called go
cial shop" has actually been created by
the manufacturers themselves us a
means OF evading the terms OF the pro-
tocoi.
out OF respect for the Mayor and the
council of Cancellation, at the manufac-
turers' request no less than our own. we
feel bound to withhold our answers until
they are called for AZ the approaching
public hearings.
But there are certain u~ncontrovertei
facts which there can be no impropriety
In stating now. The questions at is
sue between the Manufacturers Pro-
tective Association and the Cloak AMI
Suit Makers Union are precisely the
questions upon which the board OF arbi-
tration created by the protocol and com
posed OF Louis n. Brsndeis. Hamilton
Holt and william q. Thompson. rendered
Il decision on January 81. 1915. As by
the terms Of the protocol II WAS pledged
TO do. the union accepted this decision.
and made II the occasion for the abro-
cation OF the protocol under which the
industry had been at peace for five years.
Under the circumstance the union was
free to issue an ultimatum. backed by
the prestige Of the board OF arbitratlon's
decision. to he followed II necessary by
a general strike. Had the leaders of the
union been the hothoads described by
the manufacturers this course would
rave been inevitable. But the members
OF the union were not Indifferent either
10 the suffering which during an iinz
portant strike always spreads far be-
yond It's own membership or to the de-
pressing effect which the arrangement
OF the city's most important industry
must have upon the already strained
business situation.
The union accordingly adopted a course
which We believe is unprecedented.
Although the questions al issue had al
ready been submitted To the authorized
board OF arbitration Of tho industry,
whose decision was morally binding upon
both parties. and although the manu-
facturers had defied this decision. the
union. In the interest OF the general
public welfare, expressed its readiness
10 resuhmit the facts in controversy TO
n new board Of arbitration to be ap-
pointed by the Mayor. and to abide by
the decision Of this new board.
In view Of these circumstances may
we not ask your readers 10 hold their
minds free OF preJudgrnents until all the
facts at issue have been clearly brought
before them through the hearings OF
the Mayors counci OF cancellation?
BENJAMIN ScHLEsINGER,
President international Ladies Gar
ment Workers Union.
MN NnpE Intx. N