Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-04-29
RESUME WORK
(continued from Pace Qnal

wage dispute" the report continued.
''can go forward with precision and
fairness while the strike continues. nor
can there be cooperation between the
employers and all their employees when
part of the latter are working and part
are on strike. Work should be resumed
in order that the employees may show
the extent of their production, the skill
required of them and the condition I'M
Ger which their labor is performed.
LAS the process of resuming inter.
rupted manufacture requires time. it
may be possible to give employment to
ali employees at once. but this condition
should be made known to the employees
ry conferences and an understanding
reached relative to the order in which
the employees resume their former posi-
lions. After returning to work and nor.
nal working conditions are restored the
employees in each mill should choose -
slep committee to represent them in
conference with the employer.
This committee should confer
with the employer and secure his CO.
operation in an amicable endeavor
to adjust any differences. If no
agreement is reached in Is days after
the first conference. both parties
should jointly agree to submit the
dispute to the arbitration board
selected by them and to the state
board. II no agreement is entered
into and the controversy still per-
sists, either party or both parties
should petition the state board for
an investigation for the purpose of
ascertaining what is fair wage
for the work as performed.
THE state board finds that no
adequate method exists by which
employers and employees can meet in
conference for the purpose of dis
cussine and adjusting matters in
dispute. Of general interest to the
industry. The creation of q general
conference committee composed of
employers and employees chosen by
the employees in the several mills
with authority to agree upon the
establishment Of general changes
would be helpful to the parties in
dealing with controversies that may
arise in the future. The employers
and employees are Jointly bound by
all rules o. fairness to forthwith
create and maintain a plan for set
Element Of grievances, to the end
that the public Of Lawrence and the
industrial welfare of the state may
be reasonably insured against a re-
currence Of strikes"
The investigation had shown, the
report said. that the strikers were
willing to submit the question in dis
pute to arbitration but that the en-
ployers had declined. giving as a
reason that no responsible organiza-
tion of employees existed that could
be bound to comply with the terms Of
the award. 1t did not appear, how
ever. the board said. that the en-
ployers were opposed to the principle
of arbitration as provided by statute,
as methor Of determining a con-
troversy not otherwise adjusted.
Evidence tended to show, the board
found, that while a majority Of the
strikers were not in sympathy with
lawless acts Of violence, a consider
able number was given to rioting and
acts Of intimidation. assaults and de-
fiance Of lawful authority.
This condition which still exists"
said the report, was in large meas
ure the result of speeches by some
agitators from other cities. and the
distribution Of literature in support
of policies subversive of the rights Of
individuals and of private \property
and revolutionary in their tendencies,
creating terrorism. preenting the re.
sumption Of work, disturbing the or
binary business relations Of thes COM
munity and destructive to an order
~ government"
The report was signed by all three
members Of the boara, Willard How
land. Charles q. Wood and ]. Walter
Mullen.