The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-16
MAKING CIGaRs IN TENEMENTs.
Trying to Put n Stop to n Buslness By whie
the Government Loses Largely.

The cigarmakers OF New York filed the
immense hall OF the Germnnia Assembly Rooms
last evening. and the smoke from their handi-
work rolled 10 the high ceiling in clouds. through
which the gas lights shone dimly. Many women
were present.
The meeting was called for the purpose Of
taking measures TO secure the passage OF an
amendment to the Revenue laws that will
abolish the system Of cigar making In the tene-
ment houses. Last October there was
mass meeting In this city at
which the terrible evils and miseries OF
the tenement house system were set forth.
and protest was then prepared and sent
TO the Commissioner OF Internal Revenue which
asserted that. through these tenement house
factories. q loss Of a quarter OF million OF dol
lars was annually sustained by the Government
The Commissioner replied to the CiRarmakers'
Association that he would endeavor to put an
end 10 these factories. but later he came TO the
conclusion that the existing laws are not ex-
plict enough TO enable him 10 take the action
An amendment 70 the law was then prepared
by the Cigarmakcrs' Association OF New York,
and petitions urging its passage were forwarded
10y the unions all over the country 10 Me Repro
sentatves OF their respective districts in Con-
sgess. The result OF these efforts has been that
the Finance Commhte Of the Senate have agreed
upon the following amendment:
wbtTs TIE maaasc,uie anu q eheroo ti-sr. Or csareies
Is Co. be- carried sct forth. described ana limited an
The manufacturers statement and bond prc scrihcd ~
th. chapter shall not usi either ~ the proprietor
Of the factory by any other person as dwelling
roots rclatss. Manufactured IN any factory any part
OF which ussd - gus Or lnr any "t e hous hold
or domestic purposc. shall be forfeited 60 The United
states and any cgAr manufacture who shall manuiac
tufe cause ~ knowingly PERMIT 10 E Manufactured
cigars cheroots or cigarette IN Hny such place shall be
punished hy tine less than 80 ana not more than
Epo by Imprisonment Tor not loss than ong month
more than twelve mouths or by both such nne aud iin
prisonment
This amendment Is satisfactory 70 the OIL
gnrmakers. and tho only thing they now seek
IS TO get II passed before the adjournment Of
Congress. To secure this end. IL was resolved
last evening 10 send Mr. A. Strasser 10 Wash
Mr.. Gompers Mr.. StrasseL and other speak
crs explained the disastrous results 10 the trade
generally Of tho tenemont house system. aud the
PROSPECTS OF securing the legislation desired TO
remedy the evil. Not only tho operatives. but the
employing manufacturers all over the country
ars in faVor oi the proposed law. and out Of the
! 800 or 2 uun licensed manufacturers in this
city. only fifteen or twenty are opposed TO IT,
Even OF those who ara themselves engaged in
this species OF manufacturing there are some
who would like 10 SEQ tho law passed, They
have unwllingly been forced into II. and would
like 70 sec the demoralizing and slayish system
ended.
MIR Strasser set forth the msories cntaled
upon the wrct he'd families that pass their days
IN this work ia their wretched habitatlOns. Men
had deliberately committed suicide To
end their bondage. From children Of
five years to old men and women.
barely able TO move. whole families would
work rom morning until midnight. and al! toe
gether not earn more than tl2 or tlj week
Tnls system. moreover. caused a constant and
enormous loss 10 the revenues oi the Govern
IA, ut
Bohemian. and a series Of resolutions were put.
in all ihTrr languages 10 the meeting and were
carried with u dcaiening shout