Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-12-16
So. p. & u. Boiler Makers Strike.


The strike which occurred at the St. Paul s.
Maniaota shops about two months ago passed
over quietly aud had almost been forgotten
until yesterday, when policemen were sent to
the shops to prevent forcible interference with
a number of mechanics Who arrived late
Wednesday from Canada, where they were en-
ployed to work in The St p. & M. boiler shops
in st. Paul. In the original strike the boiler
makers, blacksmiths and helpers struck for
an increase of wages, the demand for which
was based upon the increasing cost
OF living, especially as to fuel
The company proposed, thereupon,
to assist the men iu obtaining their fuel, by
giving it to them at points of car delivery at
cost TO the company. 1t also offered some
further concession to the blacksmiths' helpers,
and these concessions were satisfactory to the
blacksmiths and their helpers, who according
ly resumed work. At the time most of the
horses in the city were on the sick list, and
teamsters charged high for hauling, so that
the wood concession did not seem important
to the boilermakers. They, mum beriug about
forty skilled mechanics, stood oat for an
advance of 10 per cent. on the 500 day
they had been receiving. This the company
refused to give, and then the matter
ended for the time-eycept that it may be sup
posed the boiler makers union he's since aided
the strikers so far as necessary. Wednesday,
as mentioned above, a.ty of Canadian
mechanics arrived, who had been engaged to
work in place of the striking boiler maxers.
They were taken 10 qua ters which had been
provided for them on the shop grounds and as
precautionary measure policemen were
stationed to protect them. OF course no
at empt was made 10 cunfjne the men or o,her-
wise keep them from intercourse with The.
strikers. Yeste' day the w-comels, having
m nv no pfl-
refused ss' 10 S9'n 90 20 f to ''s work Is'' at
the wages agreed upon, aud
protested they bad been deceived by the party
who brought them from Canada. They claim
they were engaged under an agreement that
their wages should begin the day they lett
their homes for st. Paul and they should be
given free passage home if they did NOT find
things here as tnsy were represented to them.
On the part of the company it is said no such
agreement was either authorized or entered
into; and Che sole agreement o: representation
was that the men should have 81 80 day for
their work in the shops. The boiler makers
union, it was asserted esteiday, intends to
maintain the strike, and is assured
the new corners will stand by it. The COM
pany, it was stated, will continue to seek for
men to take the places of the strikers, at wages
which it regards as sufficient and which do
appear to be sufficient to induce skilled me-
chanics to come from the East Another COM
pany of eighteen boiler makers was yesterday
expected to arrive from Canada this morning
The strikers are confident of capturing them
as they did the Wednesday party of twenty
three. This latter party includes number Of
men who have no means of support and must
for time be provided for by the contributions
of the Boiler Makers Union. The company,
it is said, will continue to import mechanics
willing to work for the wages it offers, and
that resolves the matter in question Of en-
durance. The public and the police are only
bouud to protect persons. and see fair play in
the game.