The New York herald., 1921-05-23
EMPLOYERS BREAK
over PLAN TO END
CLOTHING STRIKE
Some Firms Ready to Give
In, Others Will Fight On
and Quit Manufacture
ers' Association.
INSIST ON OPEN SHOP
Concerns Headed by w. A.
Bandler Will Also Press
Actions Against the
Amalgamated.
INQUIRY BY SENATE SOON
Truce Plan Said to Have Been
fastened by Proposed Inves-
tigation, Which Some on
Both Sides Opposed.
INQUIRY BY SENATE SOON

After twenty-four weeks of cease
less struggle new condition has
arisen in the strike that has strangled
the clothing industry in this city and
In Boston since December 6, 1920. A
number of manufacturers have indi-
Gated their willingness to open nego-
tiations with the Amalgamated Cloth
ing Workers of America, and these
negotiations may take form during the
present week.
A very considerable element, how
ever. among the manufacturers of
mems clothing, particularly those
firms which make the clothes they
sell in their own shops and not in the
small, scattered shops Of outside "con-
tractors" have seeded from the
Clothing Manufacturers Association
and, under the leadership of Will
lam A. Bandler, who on Friday re-
signed the presidency of the Manu-
facturers Associa ton, have revived
the Clothing Trade Association, which
two years ago was merged into the
other.
These firms have announced that
they will carry on the war against the
Amalgamated, which they denounce
as radical. un-American and sub
versiye organization, and fight for the
"open shop campaign. They will
prosecute vigorously, they declare,
the injunction and damage suits which
have been begun against the Amalga-
mated and also several actions look
ing toward the dissolution by the
courts Of the union as an unlawful
organization.
Investigation Is Proposed.
A resolution providing for a sweep
ing investigation into the entire
clothing industry throughout the
country, with special reference to
the reasons for the continued high
cost Of clothing, the conditions and
costs Of manufacture and retailing
and an inquiry also into the alleged
subversive aims and activities of the
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
America and into the ''open shop"
campaign of the manufacturers has
been favorably reported in the United
States Senate as the result OF reso-
lutions introduced by Senators Moses
and Borah. The investigation, 1t is
expected. will be begun in the near
future by the Committee on Education
and Labor. of which Senator Kenyon
Of Iowa Is the chairman.
The imminence of the Senate in
vcstiCatlon. which is not welcomed by
certain leaders Of the Amalgamated
or by corresponding element among
the manufacturers. has operated rs Il
powerful factor, it is understood. in
bringing about the present effort OF
compromise negotiations. The 'ir-
reconcilable" element among the man
ufacturers. on the other hand, well
comes the proposed investigation and
eagerly awaits its sessions.
More than hundred firms and
about 1OOcc employees have been af-
fccted by the strike. Until a few
days ago. when ii appeared certain
that the Senatorial investigation
would he ordered. practically all Of
the manufacturers, under the title Of
tho Clothing Manufacturers Associa-
ton. have presented a solid wall Of
opposition to the Amalga mated and
have insisted that the strike or lock
out-as IL was variously characterized
by both sides-must continue until the
union gave way TO the demands of
The manufacturers. These were pri-
mnrily for reduction Of the wartime
wage scale. hut really for the right
ference as open shops, and not sub
iect MS the manufacturers complained
they were. to the absolute rule and
control Of the union leaders.
Drastic Bsn on New York city.
The Amalgamatcd, on the other
hand. has taken the position that 1t
would permit no clothes to be manu-
factured In New York city or else
where for manufacturers located here
unless and until the manufacturers
abandoned all their demands and sub
stantially renewed the agreement
NrA n prrr