The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-12-30
A WOOL-COVERED WOLFF.
Two hundred Victlmized Cigar-Makers
Discuss His Duplicity

CHICAGO, December 28.-Nearly 200 men
stood around the headquarters OF the c.
deception Of which they are the victims.
About two weeks ago a man named Wolff,
President of the Ggar-makers' Union OF
San Francisco, arrived here on his way
East, for the purpose of securing cigar
makers to 60 to that city. Wolff repre-
scented to the fraternity and press that the
cigar manufacturers OF the Pacific coast
had decided to unite in a systematic oppo-
sition to Chinese labor. He stated that
the Chinese had become powerful competi-
tors of the white manufacturers rs well as
monopolizers OF the labor of the trade.
The poorer ones had begun buying leaf to-
bacco from dealers. This vas made into
cigars, which were given in payment for ma
terial, a surplus 0: the manufactured
goods remaining in their possession
after the leaf tobacco was paid for, CIV
ing them a nice profit. This surplus they
sold cheaper than the manufacturers could
afford. In addition to the tenement house
cigar-makers the, Chinese were working in
the business in q Wholesale way, and man.
ufacturers had been brought to a realiza-
ton of the necessity Of pooling their issues
with the white cigar-makers. Wolff's pur-
pose in coming East was, as he said, to Wis
it Chicago, New York, Boston, Louisville,
and other manufacturing cities, where he
could obtain men to go to California. He
represented that permanent employment
would be given to ESQ men at larger wa
ges than Eastern scales. Saturday he left
the Eastern seaboard with about ITS men,
and this morning the party arrived
in Chicago. The representations
Wolff made in this city caused many cigar
makers here to decide to go to California,
and nearly 200 men made arrangements to
join the party, Many Of them were married:
These sold their household effects and
made all necessary arrangements to move
West. Wolff had stated he could get them
/ tickets for 500. When he arrived here this
morning the men were surprised to lind
| that he had less than 200 men. They
were still further surprised when be cody
informed them that he needed only It's.
| A lively time ensued, and Wolff was told,
in vigorous English, the opinion entertained
| of his conduct. He finally decided to take
| eighteen OF the Chicago party, thus making
an even 200 men, or twenty-five
more than he said he needed
The party left on an early
train for San Francisco. 1t was learned at
the headquarters of the Cigar makers
| Union this morning that some OF the II.
stranded men who had been deceived by
VOLTS statement had come from Canada
points throughout the Northwest and from
the South. They are now left in this city
and will be sent to their home by tn
Union. A dispatch from the East says thai
when he left the seaboard Wolff ALLEGED
that if this experiment with 200 men was
success, the 5000 Chinese now employed b.
241 cigar manufacturers in California woult
be supplanted by white men. The Chicago
Union has written a letter to the San Fran
cisco branch of the Cigar-makers' Union ex
planning VOLTS conduct and the injury h
has done and demanding an explanation
It is alleged that Wolff has sold himself t.
certain San Francisco manufacturers, hi
junketing tour being in the interest OF firm
who are planning disorganization OF tn
Union in San Francisco.
AN OVATION AT OMAHA.
OMAHA, December ga special trail
from the East arrived here tonight wit
oso o;ror nooEors from New York an