New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-01-13
Hoover Urges
Garment Work
Begin at Once
Davis Joins in Request to
Manufacturers to Resume
at Old Scale Pending Fed
era] Commission Inquiry
Union Considers Proposal
Adjournment of Argument
on Injunction Against En-
ployees Is Agreed Upon

request that work in the women's
garment making industry be. resumed
at once upon the scale of wages and
conditions of labor prevailing prior to
November l, pending investigation by
Federal comm ssion, was sent yes
terday to the Cloak. Suit and Skirt
Manufacturers Protective Association
by Secretary Herbert Hoover of the
Department Of Commerce and Secre-
tary James j. Davis of the Department
of Labor, Washington.
The request of the secretaries was
contained in joint letter, which both
signed addressed to Louis Lustig, pres
ldent of the manufacturers ASSOCIATION.
A copy OF the letter was forwarded to
benjamin Schlesnger, president of the
INTERNATIONAL Ladies' Garment " orkers'
Union, who gave it out. In agreeing to
consider the proposal the garment
workers union suggests that the in
vest cation include all costs and profits,
from cloak mill to retailer
In both communications nominations
are asked for members Of the invcsti-
eating commission. the machinery for
the operation Of which is to be fur
n;shed by the Federal government.
Adjournment Is Sought
Louis II. Solomon, counsel for the
American Cloak and Suit Manufacture
ers' Association, said that he would
consent to-day to an adjournment of
argument on the American Associa-
TONS injunction against the garment
workers union to Monday. Counsel for
both sides will appear before Justice
Hi':akley at 4 o'clock to-day, when the
adjournment will be asked for.
News of the letters to the manu-
facturers and to the union from the
Secretaries of CONNIE &c and of Labor
came quickly upon the heels of a re-
turning dele cation of four members of
the protective association, headed by
Lustig, who got back from Washington
yesterday morri ing. An immediate con-
terence was called, which continued all
day and until late last night An an
nouncement is expected to-day.
Mr.. Schlesinger called the executive
committee of the union together and
replied to the Washington communica-
tlons at once.
The letter to the manufacturers.
after calling attention to the wide
spread unemployment and the desire
OF the government to relieve it, con-
times:
The strike in your industry in New
York City has been on for eight weeks,
inasmuch rs the subject keeping you
apart is controversial one, we, the
Secretaries Of Commerce and Labor,
suggest that you Immediately resume
! operations under the old conditions
In the meantime it is our intention
TO name commission to investigate
thoroughly conditions in the cloak, suit
and skirt industry of New York and
TO make report on the same.
Paves Way to Peace
eve believe that the findings of this
impartial commission will be of in
estlmablc benefit in laying q basis upon
winch negotiations can be undertaken
looking toward lasting peace in the
garment making industry. We would
be glad, therefore, to have you submit
for our consideration the names of five
or six gentlemen, net at present con-
nectcd with the industry, so that we
may have your nominations before us
IN considering the personnel of the
commission. 1t is the intention of the
/ Departments of Commerce and Labor
to render such aid and assistance as
we can, clerical and otherwise, to as
sist the commission in the perform
ance Of its duties"
In the unions reply Mr.. Schlesingea
informs the Secretaries of the decision.
Of Justice Wagner that the agreement
running to June, 1922, violation of
which brought on the strike of $1,000
garment workers, was still in force,
and that therefore this issue had been
removed from controversy. Regarding
the investigation, he says:
"Our union has always favored such
reforms in the industry as wou d Sc
cure to the public garments at lowe r
prices than those at present prevail
ing, and has repeatedly expressed its
readiness to cooperate with the manu-
facturers for the attainment of that
end We realize that the problem is
q large one and that the proper solu-
ton Of the same must include all of
the special features and conditions in
the industry and the methods Of oper-
alton now in vogue-i. e.. the highly
seasonal character Of the work, the
dependence of the industry upon con-
stantly changing styles. the cost of
raw material. the waste in overhead
charges, incidental to the fact that no
} less than $500 separate establish
ments for the manufacture of cloaks
are in operation in this city, the profits
of the employer and of the numerous
middlemen in the industry, etc, and
we sincerely hope that if your depart
ment undertakes an investigation Of
the industry it will cover ali these
phases.
when the present strike has been
settled by the restoration Of the exist
ing collective agreement our union will
gladly lend its full cooperation in
such an investigation"