THE CO.OPERITIVE FACTORY CONTROVERSY. [To THE Horror or THE .3PICTATOlel
SIB,—Were you inclined to find space, I would not carry on the discussion with the manager of the Co-operative Wholesale Society's Boot and Shoe Factory as to the facts of the dispute between them and their workpeople. I take my facts from state- ments printed in co-operative journals, or from written state- ments of well-known co-operators. He is, of course, behind the scenes, which I am not ; but I mast remind him that he is on only one side of the stage, while I am in front of the curtain, which has been, at any rate partially, raised.
The one fact of importance to this nation, as well as to our Union, remains. There was a strike last autumn which closed our works at Leicester. Why ?
I do not know how my old friend, Mr. Butcher, answers that " why P"—.I will give him my answer. The object of the Wholesale Society in their factory is, as he frankly admits, "cheap boots and shoes," with the cantion,—" By cheapness, I mean the best value they can get for their money." I say that is just why they have had a great strike, and will have more while that is their object.
Their object ought to be, on " oar" (which, as they belong to the Union, should also be " their ") principles, not cheap boots, but good and contented boot-makers. Until they learn that lesson, I must deny that they are working " on lines advocated by me."
I do not blame Mr. Butcher, as he seems to think. I blame (1) the-Committee of the Wholesale, and (2) the great constituency of Stores all over England which appoints the Committee.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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