Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-08-22
STILL INYESTIGATING.

Important Witnesses Give the Senate Com
nittee AN Insight Into the Losses and
Results of Various Strikes.
New YORK, Aug. 21.-Before the senate
sub committee on labor and education
there appeared this morning Richard Pow
ers, of Chicago, president of the Seamen's
union Of the lakes. This union, ne said,
improved the moral condition of its mem
bers, and had secured them higher wages,
and is now striving to procure the passage
OF laws tending 10 diminish the risk of
life incurred by sailors, prohibit
ing the overlooking of vessels,
and making it compulsory to man them
with suitable crews. A great number of
lake vessels, he said were uDseaworthy, and
a law should be passed, he urged, provid-
ing that at least two thirds of the sailors
employed on American vessels should be
native born Americans.
Geo. G. Block, as representative of the
journeymen bakers of this city, testified
that the condition of bakers was very de-
graded, on account of the long hours they
are compelled to labor. They begin work
at p. m. and continue until 4, 5, 6 and
a. N. The greater number are unmarried.
L AO dhOldSO Wages dIO tpO.ZO d "0Shs 1uS
bakers struck some time ago for a reduc-
ton to twelve hours labor. The bosses
agreed to this, but when the men returned to
work the pledges given were broken.
Block stated that of the walters employ
ed at beer saloons many are Prussian
army officers, German nob!emen and
princes come TO this country expecting
to make a fortune, but who found this the
only means Of making a living.
In speaking of the brewers, Block said
there are Ill this city thirty breweries en-
ploying about go men. A trades union
was organized in 1881 shortly after the
strike for decrease in working hours to
twelve hours per day and extra pay for
Sunday work. The strike WAS won by the
men. The wages range from
$50 to 500 per month.
Andolph Strasser, president of the Cigar
Makers Internati) nai union, read large
quantity of statistics showing the average
rate of wages in his trade in this country
and the cost of living. The figures showed
that when there were existing organizations
a much higher rate of wages prevailed
than when the industry was unorganized
The highest rate paid was SIG week; the
lowest S.. Since 1864 there have been
362 strikes in the cigar business
won; 137 lost; II compromised and still in
progress. One strike lasted ten months
and was tinallY compromised. The strikes
actully cost 1896, A, and there was an
actual gain lii wages OF workmen of
$4,000 per apnum. There were 165
branches OF International unions in this
country and Canada and a mem
bership of $4,000. Strasser suggested
Legislative measures which would
tend TO mitigate the evils which they Gre
ated. Labor in general in this country de-
manded the enforcement, of national eight
hour law. to authorize the incorporation of
labor organizations and place them on the
same basis as other corporations; to estab-
fish national bureau of labor statistics,
and amend the revenue law by providing
that after May, 1884, no licenses be grant
en- TO cigar manufacturers employing
prison or p9nitenti8ry labor.
The SANDY Hook Light
New YORK, Aug. 21-Un? Fer the auspices
of Lieut. West the United States lighthouse