The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-27
SCOTT WARNS BIG g.
OF FALSE PROPHETS
International Typographical
Unions Head Assails Pro-
moters of Unjust Strike.
PLEADS FOR A FAIR DEAL
Vicious Lies Being Utilized to
Plunge Thousands of Men
/ in Trade Into Idleness.

Referring to certain leaders of the
printing strike movement as false
prophets" and wild eyed radicals"
Marsden @. Scott. president Of the Inter-
national Typographical Union, called
yesterday upon the members of Big
Six" the local branch, to oppose the
plan for a general walkout In the book
and Job printing establishments of this
city on October /.
Mr.. Scott's action was a staggering
surprise to Leon II. Rouse, president of
big Six and chairman of the strike
committees of the various dissatisfied
unions. for it was taken directly over his
head and without his knowledge.
The appeal OF the international presi-
Gent for settlement by arbitration was
contained in lengthy printed letter is
sued In Indianapolis, copies OF which
were mailed to every member of big
Six In this city. Its effect Will be seen
tomorrow when the members or big
Six gather at New Star Casino in Har-
lem for the purpose of taking vote on
the proposal to strike
The letter contained thorough ex-
PLANTATION of the matters In controversy
and declared the offer of arbitration
made by the employers to be fair one
that should be accepted before too late.
The action OF the international union
IN giving subordinate unions the right
to negotiate for a forty-four week
wherever practicable" was reviewed
and the construction placed upon 1t by
Mr.. Rouse that 1t forced him to strike
was declared to be erroneous.
The letter called attention to the fact
That the question of hours in newspaper
Offices had been satisfactorily arbi-
trated on two occasions within the last
year and half, and branded the re-
nisal to arbitrate such questions with
book and Job printers as stupid in
consistency" 1t then summed up the
offers made by the employers, all Of
which were published last week, and the
statements issued by the International
presidents of the unions involved APP
proving of the employers proposals. 1t
also referred to a resolution adopted at
the national convention of the organiza-
ton In 1917 at which II was recon-
mended that the executive council sus-
pend the charter of any organization
refusing fair arbitration.
Malcontent Lenders Arraigned.
Finally Mr.. Scott wrote:
$50 far as the officers of the inter-
national union are concerned no apol-
ogy will be offered here or hereafter for
the action taken. The responsibility for
this desperate situation cannot be
evaded. 1t rests squarely on the shoul-
ders of a few leaders who have refused
20 abide by the laws of their interna-
tional unions and to accept the decisions
voiced by a majority of their members.
II thousands of members OF the New
York printing trades unions are thrown
out of employment they will know who
10 responsible for their unnecessary sac
rifices. If other thousands are forced to
ata 60 Ana a
this unsanctioned undertaking. they too
should realize that they are following
false prophets who lead the way to in
evitable disaster.
"Incoherent rawlings of men tempo
rarily or permanently mentally unbaI-
anced, scurrilous attacks and vicious lies
never have won a victory for decent
trades unions. The square deal and the
fair deal will survive long after the
maggots have Toasted on the carcasses
of the wild eyed radicals who are lead
ing the members of their organizations
into q pocket from which there is no
escape.
1.-THE officers of the International Ty-
geographical Union will not be swerved
from the stand which the majority OF
the members of this union have repeat
edly and emphatically ordered them to
take. We will not support the officers
or members of any local union which
rejects fair arbitration. We will not
participate in any undertaking with the
Bagleys and Nolans of the trades union
movement.
''If there ever was n time when the
members OF the typographical union
should beware of criminal incompetence
In leadership that time is at hand. The
reputation and the destiny of Typo
graphical Union No. is in the custody
of its members. It is within their power
70 break up this malodorous combination
whenever they desire to do So"
By way OF explanation the letter con.
tanned the statement that It was issued
for the benefit of those members OF
big Six" who have not lost their men,
tai equilibrium, and who have deter.
minedly supported the decent and hon
orable policies which have for many
years governed the administration of Its
AFFAIRS.
Another statement setting forth the
issues OF the controversy was contained
I'm letter, copies of which were mailc d
yesterday by the members of the Print
ers' League to all of their customers in
forming them that the labor situation
would sin all probability eliminate on
October 1 In a shutdown in all book and
Job printing plants of the city" This
letter contained the following declara.
ton:
''Of far greater importance than the
question of wages and hours in the entire
situation is the fundamental question OF
the stability Of the industry based upon
the faithful performance of contracts
There has developed among the press
mems and feeders unions during the
last year and half direct action groui
which frankly states that they do no
propose to be bound by any contract
since they desire to pull out their mer
whenever they think 1t TO their advan
tage. They take the position that any
action, legal or Illegal, is Just fed pro.
vided 1t is effective in obtaining then
ends. Obviously no stability can b,
secured under any such policy.
Further, to make 1t possible to carry
out their programme Of rect action
these locals have committed themselve.
20 n policy In such defiance of discipli
tion that their charters have been for
feited. The climax of the situation wal
reached when the local pressmen's ant
feeders unions struck IN the plant of tn,
Publ shers Printing Company upon tn,
refusal of that company to discharg,
men who had remained loyal to thei
international union. No question G.
wages, hours or working conditions wal
involved In this case.
1T Is vital to the whole situation, es
sential for the stability of the industry
that no contracts be made with any loca
unions not members Of an intarnations
affiliated with the American Federation
of Labor.