The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1916-11-10
Everett, Wash, Nov. 8, 1916.


has been on in this city for six months
past has been called off by vote OF
the Shingle Weavers' Union and it is
Just that statement be made to the
public concerning this action and the
motives that prompted it.
This strike was called the first of
last May after efforts to effect peace
able settlement of the wage contro-
versy had failed. The men involved
in this struggle have made many sac
rifices in defense of union principles
and were prepared to continue the
fight indefinitely. The wages asKeu
bv the Everett weavers were palu
without protest in many parts OF the
state and are now being paid by many
mills whose manufacturing cost equals
that of Everett plants.
The sudden turn events in this city
have taken. resulting in loss OF lie
and a tense industrial situation, moVeu
the Shingle Weavers to take some
stems toward establishing lndustrlai
neace Without exception the mem
hers of this union have the pest III
terests of the city at heart we
realize that the city is confronted ny
tho most serious industrial crisis IN
its history. No matter wnere lhe
blame may lie, the facts remain thaI
lives have been lost, bitter state OF
nuhlic feeling engendered, condltloh
created which might easily lead 10
further loss of life and property unless
somebody forgot their wrongs ana
orudges and made some definite move
to end the trouble.
The Shingle Weavers join with all
respectable elements OF the city Ill
sorrow and regret over the tragic oc-
currence of Sunday last. We nave
had no hand in the agitation OF the
Industrial Workers of the World, are
not responsible for their coming 10
this citv did not invite them here nor
need their assistance. We beheVe an
absolutely wrong policy has been pur-
sued bv the authorities and members
of the Commercial Club, in dealing
with the situation, but none OF us can
change past actions, we can only nope
that better wisdom will prevail IN
future in dealing with the Industrial
situation
We realized that a crisis confronted
this city. Nothing like it had ever
arisen before in Everett. The city
was receiving black eye everywhere
M matter where the blame lay, ana
something had to be done to releVe
an intolerable situation, establish in
dustrial peace on an enduring basis, II
such a thing were possible.
President Brown of the Shlngle
Weavers' Union and President Marsh
of the State Federation of Labor were
in conference shortly after the oc-
currence of Sunday and decided TO
sock a conference of representative
citizens of Everett in an effort to enu
the trouble. Representatives OF the
state and federal governments were
called into conference and readily
agreed to lend their good offices to-
ward a settlement. President Marsh
got into touch with Everett citizens
and as a result preliminary con-
ference was held in the office OF Hon.
w w. Black last Monday afternoon.
The following men attended this con-
ference. VIM. Blackman, representa-
five of the Federal Department OF
Labor: State Labor Commissioner
younger. International President j. G.
Brown. State Federation of Labor
President e. p Marsh, Rev. Flint,
CONGREGATIONAL minister; Rev. Rodgers,
Episcopalian rector; DR.. Marlatt, pas
for of the First M. e. church; A. A.
Rrodeck. clothier; Hon. w. w. Black
Ilovd Black, Robert Moody of the
First National Bank, e. M. Metzger,
lanes Balew of the Plasterers' Union
q w Knapp, business agent of the
Ruilding Trades Council; e. A. Fran
cois. sixth vice president of the Wash
ington State Federation of Labor.
Al this meeting the Sunday tragedy
and the events leading up to it were
thoroughly discussed. The meeting
adjourned without definite action be-
ing taken, but with every conferee I'M
rressed with the necessity of arriving
Of some solution of the trouble. Ac-
oording to agreement the same men
moi again Wednesday morning. The
ministers reported that they had been
unable to bring to the Shingle Weav-
ORG anv concessions from the mill
owners and asked the Shingle Weav-
ors in the interests of industrial peace
Of the community and in order that
better feeling might be established
that the strike be called off. 1t was
represented that rightly or wrongly