New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-04
ACCEPT AGREEMENT
BY VOTE OF 10 TO |
Action fastened by Arrival of
Mediators-Officials' o. X.
Will End IA Weeks Strife.

weeks and enlisted for the workers
the aid of well known men and women
Of every walk in life.
1--WE had 10 go without food for
many a day, and some of US have lost
cur homes, but we showed them that
we had the nerve to fight for our rights
and get them" was the way one woman
who voted to accept yesterdays terms
summed up the situation.
The $4,000 men and women workers
were happy, not at the prospect OF re-
turning to their work, but IN the
knowledge that their long fight had
brought them nearly everything they
demanded. Many Of the faces that
were seen about strike headquarters
and on the benches in Union Square
while the balloting was in progress
showed the effects OF the privations
they have faced.
Suicides Due to Strike.
Several suicides are declared TO be
directly traceable to troubles growing
out Of the strike, while many lives have
been sacrificed because Of lack Of prop
err nourishment among the workers who
never had known what luxurious food
meant. But the workers are con-
WINGED that the price was not too high
for the benefits they will receive.
Under the terms Of the new agree
ment practically all of the workers will
receive an increase in wages OF from
81 to $3.50 a week. In addition to this
they will enjoy improved working con-
ditions and fixed standards Of labor
that will prevent inscriptions employ
ers from taking advantage of the dull
seasons to cut down the pay. There
are four amendments to the agreement
that was refused two weeks ago. They
are:
Seyenty.five cents an hour will be
paid to operators and 55 cents 10
fnishers.
Italian workers may remain away
from work on Columbus Day at their
own expense.
A worker must have been employed
in a shop from one to three months be-
fore he is eligible TO serve upon the
shop committee.
Dodge Federal Inquiry.
Somehow neither side desired 70 par
ticipate in this investigation. Conse-
ouently, a final conference was held
and these amendments were hurriedly
agreed upon. Since they have been
thus accepted by representatives of the
manufacturers association and those
officers of the union who participated
in the conferences, yesterdays APP
proval By the workers is all that really
was needed to conclude the strike, al
though the signatures of the principals
have not vet been attached TO the con-
tract.
But even il the conferences of the
mediators did not progress far enough
TO hermit them TO even question the
leaders on either side, they are being
given credit for share in bringing
about peace. The moral effect Of their
presence in the city accomplished as
much SIS previous hearings and long
conferences have done.
James A. Motif, Of Orange. n. j., one
of the three mediators, was one OF the
m,n who settled the big oil strike in
Baronne a year ago. His firm hand in
the earlier conflict in which he par
tic.pated is thought to have had some
thing to do with the surprising agree
ment of strikers and employers that
they did not care to have this body IN
vestigate their affairs.
Obstinacy Aided Strikers.
The strikers may assume much Of
the credit for their success, however,
because of the obstinacy with which
thew held out. Many of the manufac-
turers who were willing 10 discuss the
situation yesterday said that they
would vote in favor of almost any
no matter how arbitrary It
might be, in order TO save the rem
mart of a cloak and suit season that
remained 70 them.
az the strikers go back to work next
Monday we will have a hard time get
ting out even a small proportion Of
the normal amount of orders we have
At this season." said one manufacturer.
an VIC hold off any longer we might as
VOL close I'D and decide that we won't
do anything during the fall season at
all"
Tho balloting of strikers began early
in the morning in their numerous halls
throughout the East Side and lower
Manhattan. Early returns showed
ratio OF 7 to for accepting the new
terms. A few hours later, however,
the proportion was 10 TO l, and even
Is to / in some places.
Workers Out Fourteen Weeks.
Benjamin SchleSsinger, who has
played the part Of leader of the strikers
during their entire fourteen weeks OF
~ pleased with the outcome OF the
strike.
The strike, which became general
was intended as q weapon 70 compel
better shop conditions and the stand
srdization of wages. Men and women
WORKERS declared tnaI cVHe'"
price agreements always were MADE
during the dull season in order 70
force dull season standards upon them
during the more prosperous seasons.
Went Hungry to Win.
For many weeks the manufacturers
refused 10 discuss the situation with
the strikers. saying that they had quit
their jobs and might remain out until
they decided TO return singly and apply
for them again. But the stri kers re-
fused 70 return under any such terms.
They faced starvation, but were firm
in their demands. The aid Of .promi-
nent club. society and suffrage leaders
was enlisted when il became known
that landlords were eyicting strikers
from their homes because of inability
~ -. s -rlnNers refused 20