The New York herald., 1921-11-11
TOTAL MAY BE 100000
Cause Is Restoration Of Old
Piece Work System in
1890 Cloak Shops.
TRADE LOSS IN MILLIONS
Manufacturers Say Production
Costs Must Be Cut to In
crease Business.

Following the announcement yes
terday afternoon that the cloal1nakers
OF this city had voted to go on strike
by 2S,672 to 162 should the manufac-
turers replace weekly wages by a
piece work system Monday. twelve
made an effort to avert strike, which
may involve 100000 workers, by ap-
pealing to the manufacturers to post
pone the installation OF the piece work
system for two weeks.
The result of that prompt appeal TO
the employers is still in doubt, as the
telegram from Washington in which
the delay was urged has not yet been
received by the executives of the
Cloak, Suit and Skirt Manufacturers
Protective Association.
In the message the Senators said in
part:
I'VE the undersigned Senators OF the
United States are deeply concerned by
the threatened strike on November IA
of 100000 garment workers of the
United States. In view Of the present
industrial conditions such strike is un-
thinkable Il by any means 1t caa be
avoided. In the interest Of humanity
and the country we woulu appeal to
you to rescind for two weeks your de-
mands that are to become operative
November IA, so that conference can
be arranged between the representatives
Of the Manufacturers Protective Asso-
citation and the Garment Workers Union,
whereby the differences existing be-
tween them may be discussed and ad-
justed.'
This is signed by Senator's France.
Kenyon, Watson of Indiana, Spencer
Bursum. Gooding, Fernald, Reed, Nc
Cumber. King, Frelinghuysen and We'll
ler.
The strike vote was announced yes
terday by Benjamin Schlesinger, presi-
dent OF the International Ladies' Gar
ment Workers Union. The strike if 1t
happens, will affect 2.S0O shops here,
While the operatives affected here
number about $4,000 to 10000, spread
of the strike elsewhere would increase
the number to 100000. The losses due
70 q strike would be about $4,000, 900
a week, Of which 100000 would be
wages
Longer Hours Also n Factor.
The issue is clean cut. The union
officials declare the announcement Of
piece work in each shop will be the
signal Monday morning for the workers
in that shop to leave their machines
The manufacturers declare, despite the
strike vote, that 80 per cent Of the work.
ers favor piece work as a means of maxi
ing more money through their own
efforts. Employers face ruin. they de-
clare. II the weekly wage system is con-
tinued
minor consideration in the whole
situation Is the further demand ~ the
manufacturers that the operators work
forty-nine instead of forty-four hours a
week.
In view of the likelihood of a strike in
the womens garment industry. the
largest In the State. the fact that COM
nlittee of five manufacturers represent
ing the kindred industry, the mems cloth
ing manufacture. is making arrange
ments to meet Sidney Hillman. president
OF the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
Of America. was regarded as of great
significance yesterday. The committee
will place before Mr.. Hillman informa-
ton concerning the problems confronting
him and will try to show him that de-
crease in production costs must be made
Immediately.
The Amalgamated has $4,000 men,
bers in New York city and 100000 In
the entire country. An agreement expir-
ing June | Is in existence between the
union and the Clothing Manufacturers
association of New York.
Mr.. Schlesinger was in conference
recently with Secretary of Labor Davis
John II. Moffett, Commissioner of Con-
ciiiation of the Labor Department. and
Elias Reisberg about strike In Phila-
delphia. This may have inspired the
Senator'S to act.
Charges Made of Bad Faith.
Each side accused each other of bad
faith, the union men insisting the en-
ployers had violated an agreement by
announcing return to piece work
agreed upon by the manufacturers be-
fore Joint board had considered 1t;
and the manufacturers declaring that
the union broke off negotiations when
piece work was mentioned.
In a statement issued by A. +. Lef-
court, spokesman for the Manufacturers
Protective Association, the present sys-
perimental and disastrous"
week work has brought productivity
to it's lowest ebb In the history OF the
industry" 1t is stated. The man who
under pieos work. turned out three gar
ments q day now produces only one gar
ment. The decnsase in production since
It's introduction in 1919 has been upward
of $500, ,00O. 900.
The present system means high prices
and caused the buyers strike. the man.
ufacturers assert. The operative who Is
taxed with his lesser production an
swers
81 am not permitted under penalty tc
turn out more than the slowest worker
In the shop
The manufa cturcrs assert the union
favors week work because II tends tc
swell its membership and consolidate Its
power.
In preparation for long strike eff
forts are being made by the union of.
ficals to add to their strike funds by
raising $3.0c0.0 .0O0 The garment workers
have the financial support of the mems
clothing workers in the Amalgamated.
TINY ENVELOPES DIsAPPROvEI
Tiny envelopes used to send Christina
/ n, rds bax,a cop1e under the dian pprova