The New York herald., 1874-10-05
THE TENEMENT HORRORS,
Meeting of tho Tenement Cigarma kers-
The Employers Protest Against Inter-
ference Of tho Board Of Health-The
Shop Workers Break UP the Meeting.

The Employers Protest Against Inter-
ference Of the Board Of Health-The
Shop Workers Break UP the Meeting.
meeting Of cigarmakers working in tenement
houses was held yesterday afternoon at Concordia
Hal! in opposition to the movement initiated at
the Germana Hall last sunday, which has for its
object the abolishment OF the tenement system.
Before the meeting was opened it was evident
that an element Of decided dscord existed in the
presence OF number OF cigarmaSers not IN the
employ OF the tenement manufacturers, some OF
whom openly avowed their determination to
'brcak up" the obnoxious assemblage II possible.
One outsider, who was particularly frank and out
spoken in this respect was Gustave Schwab
whose broad-brlmmed enormous hat, huge head
and jolly red cheeks were recognized at once as
those OF the Communist who played SO notorious
part
AT THE TOMpKINs SQUARE RIOTS
Among those present was also Mr.. Karl Thcyer,
member OF the delegation, who called upon the
Board OF Health, In pursuance OF the resolutions
adopted BY the meeting at Germania Hail. The
meeting was but thin!y attended as compared with
that at the Germania Assembly Rooms, the small
hal not being half fineo. The tenement manuiac-
turers had also invoked the protection Of the po-
lice the plea that the non-tenement cigar
makers would try to interrupt the proceedings. 1t
was stated by the non-tenement cigar makers that
the "bossesn had threatened 70 dismiss all the
men who would not promptly attend the meeting
and indOrse their action.
Mr. David Reiss opened the meeting by saying
that 1t had been called for the purpose of protest
ing against the proceedings at the Germania Hall.
ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN.
Mr. Deutschberger proposed Mr.. Reiss as chair
man.
one OF the Independent cigarmakers proposed
Mr.. Deutschberger-we don't know Mr.. stras-
SER The shop men have no business here.
There were shouts OF der1siOn, and Mr.. Deutsch-
berger called upon the police to preserve peace.
There was another outburst OF Indignation on
the part OF the shop workers, and In the mdst-ef
this confusion Mr.. Ress declared that he had
been elected chairman. He thereupon took the
MIR. Reiss read paper stating that the tenement
houses were beautifully kept and perfect models
OF sanitary wisdom. The reason why the Cigar
because they wished to prevent women from work
ing and earning money.
by loud laughter Of the shop men who had taken
possession OF all the front seats.
SPEECH OF TENEMENT WORKER
Mr.. Merun q Czech, made a speech in Ger
man, saying that he himself could only earn $ll.
Women could make better cigars than men, and 1t
was therefore necessary that the wives should
help their husbands in making cigars. whole
family working IN a tenement could earn $50 or
S35. and lay up balance at the saving bank. DE
rtsvc sneers on the part of the shop men,
The speaker repeated the substance OF his re-
marks IN the Bohemian language.
the employers, expressing their regrets at being
unable to attend the meeting. The principal OF
these letters came from Lchtenstein Brothers,
who own several OF these tenements Scarcely
had he finished reading when Mr.. Schwanderch,
one OF the the Leaders OF the shop men, leaped upon
the platform and proceeded to address the meet
ing. When MIR. Reiss saw this he determined
upon coup d'6tdt and declared
THAT THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED.
Thereupon ensued scene OF mdescrbable con-
fusion, and Mr.. Reiss called upon the police to ar
WOud not Interfere. and after n OF abOut
minutes the employers and their men collapsed
and allowed. the meeting OF the cigar
strasser was called 70 the chair. aud
he delivered a haranrue. He said the same
his wrei iched slaves to work en- Sunday. II these
tenement men were to work In shops they could
ENJOY .nls obn SUNDAY WIN sner wiyes ana children;
to vacate the premises as their presence was not
required: Tremendous appiausel
Tne resolution was adopted amid r0uslng cheers,
and lhe chairman appointed committee of three
to acquaiht the police with this polite request The
police left at the request OF the proprietor, amid
tumul.uous clapping OF hands and loud vocifera-
tion
QUITE ANOTHER STORY
Mr.. Scnwanderhch then addressed the meeting
In his native language, the Bohemian. The tene-
ment workers were rather more forpearlng than
the shop workers and did not interrupt him. He
dwelt on the horrors OF tenement life as depicted
IN the meeting held last sunday at Germana
haii Mosners Wahe nursing their babes maze
deadly Dicotlnous odor OF the tobacco leaves. The
meeting Wnlcn mad Just been closed was merely
one OF the tricks Of the tenement manufacturers,
who tauened on the misery OF their workmen, ahd
yet forced them to come here and proclaim the
beauties OF the tenement workshops. Emigrants,
who were inexperienced In the ways OF tnis coun-
try. were enticed TO these tenements by false repre-
sentations, and there they lived In little bedrooms,
In which they slept worked, cooked and which
even ontalaed the closets.
resoinuon was offered declaring it the duty Of
the Board oi Health. III view Of the opinions ex-
pressed Dy physicians OF repute, TO abolish the
system OF tenement work as soon as practicable
Ii was adopted.
The meeting then adjourned amid loud cheer
Ing, and tell to drinking fresn lager beer