The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-10
REPLY OF THE UNION

REPLY OF THE UNION
Through the request of Attorney
Sawyer. who, as | understand is act
ing in the interests of The Madison
Woolen Company a proposition was
offered to a committee from the Cen
tral Labor Union, to settle the strike
After the committee and the United
Textile Workers of America, Local
Union 1912, had given tne matter due
consideration and had realized that
they did not have the power to call
the strike off, they decided to notify
the International Union of the United
Textile Workers of America to the
effect that possibly negotiations could
be opened and the strike adjusted, if
an international representative could
be sent to Madison. The general ex
ecutive board realizing that this
strike. as well as all other strikes at
this time, should not exist. at once
sent the representative with instruc-
tons to do his very best and to leave
no stone unturned in bringing about
settlement. !, the representative
after spending several days in Madi-
son during which time | have had
many conferences with the strikers
and three with the management of
the mill find that if the strike is not
settled, that the blame, if placed
where it belongs, should not be upon
the strikers but upon the management
Of the mill.
When the proposition was first Of
feredI find that some of the business
people OF Madison who were not ac-
quainted with the situation as it was,
we're inclined to believe that the Madi-
son Wooden Company was willing to
settle the strike but that the workers
we're not The fact is, that the man
agement is willing to settle the strike
at its own terms. which terms would
be detrimental to the welfare of the
workers as well as the Madison
Wooden Company itself. because few
months under those conditions would
only bring another strike in that
plant. Real satisfaction would not
he resumed and the same old good
feeling could not exist under those
terms
1t seems to be the opinion of a few
people in this community that labor
organizations are formed for the sole
purpose of striking. | believe that
it is well at this time to explain why
labor organizations are formed. We
workers organize to seek cooperation
and better conditions and to increase
our wages. and to do that only thru
negotiation, Cancellation and arbitra-
ton We realize that diplomacy is
more powerful than the sword. We
are often blamed when strikes take
place. but they do take place only
when manufacturers refuse to nego-
tiate or arbitrate. The Government
at this time has established board
of arbitration which Is called The
War Labor Board The workers in
general take great pleasure in abid-
ing by the decisions of that Board
All the National and International
Unions that go to make UP The Amer
lean Federation of Labor. insist that
the membership abide by the decisions
of that Board and stand by the Gov
ernment to do the utmost to assist
the boys in defeating the common
enemy of civilization Labor organ
izauons are today recognized and en-
couraged by the Government OF ihe
United States, because in an industry
where an organization exists, the pro
duction is greater and because CO.
operation and good feeling exist
amongst the workers and is only
brought about by organization.
We feel sorry that it was not pos
sble to bring about settlement Oh
the present strike, at this time ana
we hope that deeper consideration
will be given the matter by the man
agement of the mill, so that an ao-
justment will be possible in the near
future
HORACE A. RIVIBRE.