The New York herald., 1922-01-13
Silent on Injunction in Ask
ing Employers to Resume
at Old Terms.
UNION RESTS ON VICTORY
Refuses to Admit Situation
Regarding It's Contest Is
Open to Arbitration.


merce, and James ] Davis, Secretary
of Labor, notified employers and the
workers OF the garment industry in
New York yesterday that they would
make sweeping investigation of the
entire garment making industrial sit
uation of New York.
The investigation will lay founda-
tion for negotiations for a lasting set
tlement Of the differences which have
kept the industry in a turmoil for the
last two years. 1t also is expected to
reduce unemployment.
The two secretaries recommended
that. pending the outcome of the in
vestigation, the employers resume op-
erations under the labor conditions
prevailing prior to the strike. which
began nine weeks ago when the gar
ment workers accused the manufac-
turers OF breaking their contract for
week work and a forty-four hour
week. The workers were invited to
return to work on those terms, pro-
viding the manufacturers agreed to
the proposal.
Letter Sent to Both Sides.
Notice of the investigation and the
proposal for a truce were submitted by
letter to Louis Lustig. president of the
Cloak. Suit and Skirt Manufacturers
Protective Association. and Benjamin
Schlesnger. president Of the Interna-
tional Ladies' Garment Makers Union.
1t was assumed in New York that the
secretaries in proposing the old basis
for resumption of operations were un-
aware of the injunction granted
Wednesday by Justice Wagner to tho
union finding formally that the manu-
facturers did break their contract and
ordering them to restore ths Old terms.
The fact that the Court orders perma-
nently what the secretaries suggest
temporarily, however. Cas not expected
to interfere with the proposed investl-
cation. The secretsries's letter indi-
Gated that the inquiry would not be
confined to the strike of the moment.
but would include NE entire industry.
Seek Relief for IdIeness.
Secretary Davis to Mr.. Lustig. which
ID similar in substance to the letter to
Mr.. Schlesinger. said:
In view of the unemployment situ-
alton in the country and the numb0r
of workers directly and Indirectly
thrown out of employment not only In
New York but In many surrounding
States as result Of the strike i'm the
garment industry in New York City
and the desire Of the Government to do
everything possible to relieve the un-
employment situation we are address,
ing to you and through you to your
membership this communication.
"The strike in your industry in New
York city has been on for eight weeks
lnasmuch as the subject keeping you
apart Is controversial one we suggest
that you Immediately resume operations
under the old conditions. In the mean
time It is our intention to name a com-
mission to investigate thoroughly con-
ditions in the cloak, suit and skirt in
dustry OF New York and to make a
report on the same.
I'VE believe that the findings of-this
impartial commission will be Of inesti-
'."S.N bOHSht III idyitiB u pdSlS upon
which 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 not at presen. con-
nected with the industry, 50 that we
may have your nominations before us
in considering the personnel of the
commission. 1t Is the intent on of tho
Department of Commerce and Lab,r to
render such aid and assistance as we
can. clerical and otherwise, to assist the
commission III the performance of .ts
duties.
"A copy OF this communication is
being forwarded to the representatives
OF the workers with a request that they
also submit nominees for our cons!dpra-
tion. A prompt response to our sugras-
tion to resume operations will be beyond
doubt a service to the best interests
of the garment industry, a genuine SER
vice to the country"