Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-28

ers. are explained in a letter which has
been sent by c. Stanley Hurlbut. presi-
dent of the council. to the men and
women employed in the .ull-fashioned
hosiery industry. These include:
provision to give any worker who
leaves before the six months period
stipulated in the plan is completed his
pro rata share of the money paid into
the profit-sharing fund by the mills at
the completion of the six months
period.
A pledge to have wage disputes set
tied by the joint council of employers
and employees
Assurance that the council does not
intend in any way to interfere with
membership in uni6ns or other organi-
cations.
Proposal of other features of benefit
to the employees to be developed later,
such as insurance and sick benefits.
simultaneously with the dissemina-
ton of these letters the Textile District
Council of Philadelphia. which is affili-
ated with the United Textile Workers
of America. has issued a circular ad-
dressed to the workers urging them to
vote against acceptance of the original
men and managements plan and terming
it a 'subterfuge.'
!. Workers Argument
Some thousands of these leaflets
have been distributed, among the work
ers in Kensington. The leaflet embodies
the workers argument against the men
and arrangements plan. The text fol-
lows:
THE proposed plan of the manu-
facturers. which has been set forth in
the daily papers, is only subterfuge.
"First. Because the full-fashioned
hosiery workers of, Philadelphia. who
have now been on strike for the last
ten weeks. had made every effort TO
avoid this dispute and even offered 10
have the, entire matter submitted 10 a
board of arbitration. but which was
fatty refused by the manufacturers. The
workers We're perfectly satisfied to re-
main at work, pending a decision.
Second. In the campaign of the tex
tile workers for forty -eight-hour work
week the citizens committee. Great ed
by Judge J. Willis Martin. head of the
Philadelphia Council of National De-
fense, with George Wharton Pepper as
chairman, and on which were men and
women of unquestionable public reputa-
tion. after going into the case thorough
ly recommended that the employers
ave liltli InIliS Oll Il -elRHI -nOui
basis. or less. and submit their dispute
to the War Labor Board for final deci.
sion. But the employers disregard ed
the recommendation, although the work.
ers readily agreed to it, again showing
their desire to be fair.
Object to Title
Thirdly. Speaking of the men aut
management plan. the title in itself Il
very misleading because the men hav,
not been consulted on this new plan
in fact the rules. regulations etc, as en-
bodied in the bylaws intended to gov.
ern same had already been drafted ant
printed before the proposition was sub
mitted to the Notwithstanding con,
clusively the unfairness of the men ant
! managements idea. This plan on the
part Of the manufacturers. in the estima.
ton of the Textile Workers, is nothing
more or less than moth-eaten rust
brought into play after many failures
on their part to accomplish their insidl.
Gus purpose, namely. the annihilation OF
the workers only bulwark of defense
the labor union.
Organized labor has always taker
the position to be open minded and fair
on all questions that came before them
In the good judgment of organized la.
Dor, when the plan Is submitted for your
consideration we feel that your vote
should be an emphatic no against such
an unfair proposition"
Frank Mckosky. vice president of the
United Textile Workers. amplifed the
charge that the bylaws of the men and
Management Textile Council were not
drawn up with the men in mind.
'"The application for membership In
the bylaws is plainly intended for the
employer" said Mr.. McKosky in an in
terview. 1t reads. 'Aauthorized to make
applicatio in behalf of -. We en-
ploy - men"
Here is another quotation from the
bylaws" continued Mr. McKosky
which should prove of interest to the
thoughtful worker. Section of Article
" of the bylaws reads: AT the re-
quest of member directly interested
It shall be the duty of the executive
committee. subject to the approval OF
the council. to authorize, order and COM
duct the prosecution of the leaders OF
mobs or persons threatening or doing
| injury to the property of the members
also those instrumental in establishing
so-called boycots against their produc.
| ton, and the expense of such prosecu-
tions shall be paid by the council,';-,
| Paragraph Criticized
"As / read this paragraph" Mr.. Nc
Kosky declared, "it virtually would pro.
hibt strikers from doing picket duty
Why might not picket be considered
| threatening when he requested a strike
breaker to quit his job. 1t looks to me
as though the money paid in by the
workers might be used to help put dowr
a strike.
sTbe men and mnnaqenentS plap ,ro
vides that one worker shall serve witt
one executive on the council in each
mill. I foresee endless difficulties. Sup.
pose the shop were only partly organ,
ized. The workman member of the
council would or would not belong tC