Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-03-30
YARDS WAGES GUT;
SIX MONTHS TRUCE
Packers and Union Leaders Sign
Compromise Agreement.
.EIeHT-HoUR DAY is SAVED
Workers Accept a Reduction Of 12H
Per Cent in Their Pay-Dispute
Comes 10 Dramatic cloee-Da-
Wis Stops Argument.

washington mafcn -t.-ftdSeAui
adjustment OF the labor dispute In
he packing industry was reached here
Ehen representatives Of the "Big
five" packers and their union en-
ployees signed a compromise agree
nent. The settlement followed a
series of conferences held with both
sides by Secretary OF Labor Davis,
EhO acted at the direction OF Presi-
tent Harding and was assisted by
Secretaries Wallace and Hoover. The
dispute came TO a dramatic close
when the packers representatives In
Heated a desire for further discus
zion. Secretary Davis forcibly ex-
claimed:
"oh hell. what's the use of argu-
Lg further7 Signw
Both sides then affixed their sigma
lures 10 the copies OF the agreement
and the case was closed.
Text Of Agreement.
The agreement, which was con-
aimed In letter addressed TO Secre-
AIRY OF Labor Davis, reads as fol-
ows:
"In connection with the matter OF
abor rates and conditions in the
packing houses within the Alschuler
administration, and agreeable 10 the
conversations which we had with you
turing the past few days. we here
oy accept your recommendation COW
sring an amicable adjustment OF said
matters. an arrangement for the con-
inuation OF wages. hours ard work
ne conditions as they existed under
he latest Alschuler ruling. subject,
however, TO the following mOdifica-
lions:
Il. The wage cuts OF cents per
hour for hourly workers and 1914 per
cent for all piece workers shall re-
main In effect as of the dates an
nounced by the packers and shall rot
be subject 10 any further arbitration.
II any further reductions are desired,
hey shall be submitted 10 the admin
istrator.
-. The basic eight-hour day and
overtime rates announced in the latest
rulings Of Judge Alschuler shall be re-
stored. subject, however. 10 the right
u the employers or employees 20 sub
NIT 10 the administrator n they de-
sire. any question as 10 changes there
| In.
3. The agreement OF December p,
1917. and extensions thereof and all
decisions Hereunder. Except as here
in modified) shall remain in effect un-
IN September -. 1921. at which time
the agreement and all awards there
under and supplements and renewals
| thereof. and understandings connected
Herewith. shall absolutely terminate.
"A. Judge Samuel Alschuler. or his
successor, as administrator shall until
said date retain and exercise all of
the jurisdiction and authority hereto
fore existing. and the employers and
| employees shall abide by his decisions
In all matters Of Jurisdiction and pow
ers under the administration. and all
subjects Of hours. wages. conditions
and adjustments thereof. excepting rs
herelnbefore set out The employers
and employees shall. however, be per
mitted 10 put into operation plans
whereby they may develop method to
handle between themselves all matters
Of mutual interest so long as they do
not interfere with the administration.
Is Called a Truce.
IS. Any questions relating TO hours
or wages that may be submitted TO the
administrator during the continuance
OF the agreement shall be submitted
ON written briefs unless otherwise re-
uuested by the administrator.
20. We understand and appreciate
that this agreement contemplates and
covers the exigencies and conditions
at this time In the packing houses
within the AlSchuler administration,
without relation 10 industrial condi-
lions or wages generally"
The last paragraph was not con-
tanned in the agreement signed by the
Representatives of the packers. Red
mond =. Brennan and Dennis Lane.
representing the unions, signed for
the employees. and Carl Meyer and
James G.. Condor executed the agree
ment as attorneys for Armour & Co.
the Cudahy Packing company. Morris
& Co. Swift X Co. and Wilson & Co.
Brennan characterized the compro-
mise agreement signed as Merely a
truce 10 prepare for war" he de-
clared the agreement was signed by
labor representatives because OF a
knowledge Of the temper of the work
ers. and said postponement of final
settlement has "averted bloodshed."