Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-05-02
A Strike or O Lockout?


cigar manufacturers, and their employees.
The w. Bros. are no exception to the
rlle that businessmen prefer to manage
their own affairs. The cigarmakers are
endowed with the laudable propensity of
trying to better their condition. 1t APP
pears that last February branch OF the
National Cigarmakers' Union" was or
ganized in this city. A law Of Congress-
of last winter, reduces the stamp tax on
cigars So per M. In consequence of this
reduction the cigsrmakers Throughout the
country are trying to get a part of the So
IA half or mOre--in the way OF increase
OF paw, whereas the manufacturer main
tains that the retailer will demand pro-
portionate lessening of the price. The
workmen in all the large cities are resort
ing to strikes to compel the employers to
accede to their demands The branch
Union, of this city, held meeting about
a week ago, appointed committees to in
terview the employers and endeavor TO
secure an advance on the amount here
toflre received. We are not informed az
to the action of the other manufacturers,
bot at Wiggenhorn Bros. the committee
met with fiat refusal w. Bros assert
that it is not the increase in pay to which
they particularly object, and intended,
and have granted to their workmen re-
manning faithful, 81 per NJ. additional
pay, but they will not tamely su nit to
dictation in the ma ,agement of their es
enlistment from any source w. Bros.
maintain that if they should submit in
the present case, the Union would soon
undertake to interfere with their business
in other directions. and that the time to
settle the matter as to who shall have
charge of their factory is now Promin-
ent members of the Union inform us that
10 demand whatever was made, but that
1t (the committed in the most respectful
manner suggested the propriety OF an in
rease of pay !Or reasons above given.
We do not propose to Judge between the
parties but would counsel forbearance on
both sides. On Monday morning no
tIce was read to the workmen that all who
are members OF any society inimical to
tue best interests of the firm were expect
ed to retire from the employment of w.
Bros, all others to receive 81 per Al.
nore than previously. Consequently 70
Union men" construed the notice as dis
charge anu quietly quilted tie premises.
Combined capital has borne its natural
fruits in the formation of Labor Unions.
but. il the popular Impression be correct
,here could have been no necessity of
combination to force justice from w.
Bros. 1t cannot Ing permitted, however,
that the wageworker shall be debarred
from becoming member of any organic
alton he may choose to join, and it will
be sorry day for both capital and labor
when such membership shall be the cause
of depriving Iaborer of his daily bread.
Neither the employer or employed are
independent of each other, and the former
should voluntarily pay the latter suf-
ficent amount to support himself and fam
lily as becomes man who has to bear the
heat and burden of the day. 1t should
not be difficult matter to settle the diff
ferences in the present instance. We
believe it to be to the best Interests of
10th parties, that they should come to-
gather and resume their old relations.
Most of the men have been in the firm
from boyhood, born and reared In this
community, and we dare assert that no
manufacturing establishment anywhere,
can boast Of a more gentlemanly, indus
trious class of workmen, or the employed
Of more generous, considerate employers.
Inspection DriU and Dance.
The inspection of the WATERFOWL
Rifles, the WATERFOWL Broom Brigade
and the accompanying festivities called
out large audience Monday evening
at the armery, Coles Hall, auditorium
being crowded to excess. The Rifles
went throug a, rigid inspection drill sue
cessfully pleasing their visitors with their
maneuvers and display of skill in the
manual of-arms. The Broom Brigade,
numbering Is, won the adm iration of
all in their movements, which were as
precise, methodical and graceful as it were
possible to make them. The drilling
was followed by a dance, which was par
iclpated in by a great many couples, who