The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-31
WON'T ARBITRATE
THE CLOSED SHOP
Garment Manufacturers Also
Refuse to Farley on Right
to Discharge Workers.
REPLY MADE TO UNIONS

rrc cloak. suit and skirt manufacture
ara belonging to the Manufacturers Pro-
tective Association will not arbitrate the
right Of employers to discharge workers
and the closed shop.
These are the only two issues In the
present controversy between the manu-
facturcrs and the so 900 unionizcd .cm-
ployees who have been locked out for
five weeks. according to a long statement
issued Yesterday by the Manufacturers
Protective Association.
"Thcse issues we consider TO he non
arbItrable," SAYS the statement. which
then takes up the entire situation from
the manufacturers standpoint. In reply
10 various statements made by the union
and BY civic bodies and individuals who
have upheld the unions course In the
controversy.
The agreement under which the indus
try was kept peaceful since 1910 pro-
yided for a preferential union shop. Ac-
cording TO the employers this means a
closed shop-,hat every man must he a
dues paving member OF the union or lose
his job.
yhis automatically deprives every
worker In arrears with his dues or fines
and every non-union worker OF his em-
ployment. the statement says. and con-
iinues:
In every shop there 10 elected by the
workers q shcp chairman and a price
committee. the former being the official
representative Of the union in that shop
He 10 clothed with an autocratic power
that enables him to assume a position Of
dictator for the workers. In total dis
regard OF the rights OF the employer
power so frequently abused that II hal
become intolerable."
The combination Of closed shop ant
the restricted power Of discharge, II II
asserted. has led to absolute notification
OF the principle OF Industrial efficiency
decreased output. domination or the In
dustry by the union. a shifting OF con
troll from the employer to the union oni
Gals. and is likely to force EMPLOYER
to move their plants outside Of New
York city. The statement says:
We therefore say that to submit Z
such an intolerable condition II incon
ceivable. and the 400 firms which com
pose the manufacturers associatio'
have arisen to combat this perniclou
movement and are prepared to stan
by the position taken by them for tn
preservation OF their inherent rights an
their commercial existence"
The statement says that for SIX year
the association has attempted to solv
its industrial problems by arbitra,io
and Cancellation. II continues:
1T has experimeCted with both.
has had sessions without number befor
all kinds OF inediating bodies. and ha
como to the conclusion. based on en-
perience. that adjustments by sue
methods do not result in substantial jus
tice." q
7. then s.a... .ha: I: v.n no: n-b
trate tho right OF discharge and n
closed shop. In regard to statement
from union sources that the associate
members want to return TO old sweA
GAop conditions the statement says:
'The association stand pledged
maintain the highest standards of san
tary and working conditions In the shoI
OF its members. II will not admit
membership any Arm that has not passs
inspection ny the board OF sanitary col
troll. II never will and never can gi'
co%untenance to sweatshop condition
which cry the union has taken up (,
want OF any other issue.
IF there are any sweatshoT col
ditions existing I'm the Independent sho]
outside this association, IL Is wholly d,
10 the neglect Of the union In mali
tanning proper standards"