Page 224 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

The Story of the C.W.S. —

machines. Mechanism was giving a uniform quality, whereas the
handwork had resulted in a dozen varying finishes for as many
pairs. But the riveters and finishers rather naturally disliked the
idea of their habits passing, as it seemed to them, under the rule of
the machine, and would not always accept the opportunities given
of mastering the new methods. . . . Outside the C.W.S. works
similar introductions of machinery created suspicion and hostility
upon a much greater scale. The complex dispute which culminated in
the lock-out of 46,000 shoe workers for six weeks during March and
April, 1895, was a direct result of this belated industrial revolution.
Those who were distressed by the relatively slight C.W.S. disputes
might then have taken heart from the sight of the Wheatsheaf
Works remaining at peace with its 2,000 employees. Mrs. Creighton's
life of her husband bears witness, also, that through Dr. Creighton,
then Bishop of Peterborough, and Sir Courtenaj'^ Boj^le, the manage-
ment of the works was able, indirectly, to contribute toward the
settlement of the quarrel.
At Heckmondwike, the C.W.S. Boot Works moved fron) hired
premises to a mill which, with the land beneath it, was bought about
the end of 1884. Round about this building—the Brunswick Mill
more land was acquired and built over. But, in 1887, this quiet
progress was interrupted. The Committee proposed to curry and
tan the leather required. At Newcastle the proposal passed without
comment, but, in London, Mr. Greening objected. His amend-
ment asked that legal advice should be taken as to whether the
"
Committee had power under the rules thus to enter " a new trade
without obtaining the sanction of a special meethig, and he won the
support of the Southern delegates. E. V. Neale, at Manchester,
definitely was of opinion that power to manufacture boots and
shoes did not include currying or tanning. Mhchell was willing
that the legality of the Committee's action should be tested; but,
—
characteristically, he continued " If we have done wrong we will
try and avoid it for the future; but if we have done uTong this
time we shall want you to support us in the direction we have gone."
So the matter went to the lawyers, who, as might be expected, were
rather baffled by the odd inquiry. The counsel consulted by Neale
returned a highly-conditional reply—against the Committee on the
wliole. The C.W.S. solicitors preferred to seek advice from a client
" He replied that currying
of theirs, a very experienced tanner."
was certainly a distinct and separate trade, and then took the oppor-
tunity of drily remarking, " in the^e days, when folks are so anxious
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