Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-03-09

versy in this state might be arbitrat-
ed. during the past five VEGAS per-
sistently epdeavored. first to per-
suade both sides 10 Ike controversy
to submit all question. at issue to the
state board of mediation or to Some
other board to be elected by both
parties concerned for settlement.
Second. both sides to the con-
troversy refusing to accept arbitra-
ton for all questions involved, the
board vigorously insisted that it was
the duty of both employee and en-
ployer to each concede something
which would permit the board to ar
range terms by which employees
might return to work while the is
sues at stake were being arbitrated.
While refusing arbitration, certain
employers consented to permit the
chairman of the board to secretly
examine their books so that he
might judge personally of the accur-
acy of their contention that without
a 20 per cent. wage reduction and an
increase in working hours per week
in certain instances, their mills
could not be operated except at a
ruinous loss.
LAS the representatives of labor
would not consent to any form of
mediation or arbitration, wherein
the investigation of the employers
side of the controversy would be
the representatives. of labor also
stated that the question Of the As
hour law is one which they are rot
willing to arbitrate. the board con-
siders that it is useless to make
further attempts to persuade either
their claims to a board of arbiti a.
ton at this time"
1t was added that the board would
seek amendment of the statute I'M
der which it functions. Under the
present law is may in cases Of volun-
tary arbitration summon witnesses,
but it has no power given explicitly
by the act to compel testimony or
enforce its decisions.
While the State Board of Media
ton was in session in Providence
the general strike committee Of the
/ TawtuXet valley. where some 5000
operatives are on strike, met in Arc
tic, Il. l., to consider the proposed
compromise settlement.
After this meeting William H.
I1nrrin1y 70 lcr, RI
Textile Workers. and head of the
PawtuXet valley strike organization
issued a statement maintaining that
| the committee was ready to discuss
settlement with the board at any
time on the basis of "a As hour
week, no reduction in wages, and no
discrimination against strikers re-
turning to work" The statement
also declared that the strikers
would insist on absolute publicity
on the part of both manufacturers
and strikers in reaching a conclus-
ion"
Derrick sad~the proposed settle
mcnt plan had not been communicat-
cd to him by a member Of the State
learned of it "indil cctly and by COM
mon reports
The collapse of the latest move
towards arbitration gave rise tonight
to rumors that a number of textile
mills would attempt to reopen
shortly under police and military
protection. superintendent William
p. Sykes Of the B. B. and r. Knight,
Inc, mills, at Arctic and Centerville
in the Pawtuxet valley, said today
that a canvas of the operatives of
the Arctic mills had revealed that
from so to 60 per cent desired to
return to work If proper protection
could be afforded. This plant en-
ploys $50. At strike headquarters
in Arctic this statement was
branded as false. Mills which have
| re-opened in some departments dur
ing the past week reported today
! that the situation was unchanged.
Strikers claimed a victory this
morning when a number Of dyers
walked out at the GlenIyon Yarn
! Dye Works in East Providence,
owned by the Sayles Finishing plants.
kStrike leaders claimed that ESQ
workers went out at the plant and
! the GIenlyon Print Works, also
| owned by the Sayles Company. Com
! pany officials stated that print
works was not affected and that at
| the dye plant about so quit Of a
| personnel of 100.
| The judiciary committee of the
[ state senate announced today that
a public hearing would be held at an
early date on As hour bills now
pending in the legislature.