New-York tribune., 1920-12-13
Joint Control
Made Issue i'm
Clothing Fight
Manufacturers Charge So
vietism Is Coal of Union:
Workers Say Employers
Seek to Become Cars
Graft Inquiry Suggested
rabbi krass Offers to Act
as Mediator and Hints
Each Side Shares Blame

The prospect that $4,000 clothing
workers would be idle to-day led both
the Clothing Manufacturers Associa-
ton and the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers of America to issue new state
rlents yesterday to Justify their course
il the controversy. Their disagreement
sas the subject Of an address by Rabbi
Nathan S. Krass, who offered to medi-
sste, and it was the occasion also for
charges of graft within the union by
Attorney Harry A Gordon, represent
ing the manufacturers.
In replying to William Bandler
president Of the association, the union
announced an intention to produce facts
and figures showing the public that
clothing could be sold at q good profit
tt prices much below current prices
even under the working conditions
which the union wanted continued. Mr..
bandler held that complete change
was necessary bt fore prices could be
reduced.
Another conflict concerned the
Unions ultimate purpose. Mr. Bandler
quoted from the union constitution
that the purpose was "to put the or
ganized working class in actual control
Of the system of production, to the
end that they shall be ready to take
possession of it,"
Employers Hint At Sovietism
Mr.. Bandler's comment was that "the
manufacturers in the clothing trade
d not intend TO lend Themselves to
the establishment OF Sovietism in their
industry" A union representative re-
Piled shat the union was seeking Joint
cont I" of the industry on the ground
tnas the clothing worker was tne most
jmpyNant element ~ The Industry, CIV
inc SOS to,it ana requiring m.sc from
1t. sked whether that meant social
isl, he refused 10 commit himsC'f
dedAttely, but used the word demo
cratic to describe -Ae union 5 posi-
ton.
".The employers eoa-ention.' the
union stated, "is for coHtrol by them
alone OF working conditions III the
claim as to the conditions prevail ns
IN the New York market. The unions
position is fer Joint control by the
workers and employers. with impartial
arbitration by a representative OF the
public"
r. Band'er. speaking for tie manu-
f..cturers. proposed the following
changes as essential 10 the wellbeing
{ the industry:
respons bfl;ty for standard Of produc-
ion. 8. ARepud;ation o. The unlon's
octrire a life tenure of employment
T workers without regard to efficiency.
r. Restore ton to cmpl 1yers o. right
$ select and retain independent con-
ractors. 8. ScraprHg of oae walking
siegate c. approval of arbitration
nd rejection Of legislation and re-
ceiverships for industry.
Position OF Union Stated
The unions statement said the man
rfacturers wanted to blame labor for
Ugh prices. cnrtal production and
tmash the union at tie prbiic's ex-
tense.
"Tae plan which the ANA gamated
fas urged" IT continued, was for a
oint Investigation 10 determine the
ource OF high prices. This meant
reace ard continued production and re-
.uction of clothing prices Sy the elimi-
,ation Of excessive prohts and pro-
,uction waste
Sidney Hl!man, president Of the
Amalgamatea. interpreted a. "locac
out" the manufacturers' policy OF
opening their, shops or the pieceworA
plan this week Ee sad TIE union
would oppose his by picAeting aooG.
,wenty shous in Manhattan immedi-
ate]v and drawing on all OF the 6S 600
unemployed clothing workers for this
work if the manufacturers acton De,
came general re announced lst Of
Headquarters halls and missed rehet
work, ii the situation hcld fast:
The employers expressed confidence
that their new policy wo"ld be effac-
live and characterized IS "humbus'
the unions protest hat their actor
constituted lockout.
These differing views were all re-
-arded as "a lack Of faith on botf
sides" by Rabbi krass, who offered il
he Central Synagogue t. meet com
rittee on either side He said he Wa.
largely Jewish il personnel. Dr.. kras
raertioned "the shortcomings Of Labor
ana found fault also with employers
Profiteering Is Charged
During the recent strike,' he said
"there was profteering among manu-
facturers, not all, to be sure. Price
were boo sted They raised wages, bu
at the same time raised prices \
greater proportion. Many OF them i,
these davs too'. employees away fros
heir competitors"
Names were withheld also by Harr
A. Gordon, new legal adviser of tn
Association of Clothing Manufacturer
of New York, who announced that a
soon as Judge Nathan L. Miller becam
Governor he would ask him TO investi
gate the mems clothing trades along tn
ines OF the building trades investiga
tom. Mr. Gordon said he considere
conditions in the clothing trade eve
worse.
"I shall request the inquiry" he sale
on the charge that minor leaders O
the frnalgamated Clothing Workers 0
America have been guilty Of corrup
practices III dealing with employers
he said definitely that Sidney Hill
man. Abraham I. %hinlacoF and otne
major officials were not involved, bu
that he vas sure graft figured in tn
prevailing system as 1t affected tn
clothing contractor
Sidney Hillman said the union woul
welcome such an inquiry, and wou
punish the guilty In any instances 0
corrupt practices.