The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-15
THE OTHER SIDE OF 1T.

The UTHER slide OE IL.
A remarkable phase of the boycott, yet just
such as may eventually be expected, is a
counter boycott, started by the people of a
little town called Norway, in Maine, a village
Of some 1000 inhabitants. A history Of the
existing misunderstanding takes one back to
1872 when, owing to labor troubles at Lynn,
Mass, the shoe manufacturing firm of B. F.
Spinney & Co. concluded to start branch
house in some smaller town, where labor
unions could not interfere. The firm secured
from the town of Norway generous donation
in the shape of new and commodious build
ing, rent Free and it was occupied under terms
which forbade the formation of labor unions
among the rustic operatives. For ten years
all went well, and Norway and its people pros
pered on account of the labor af-
forded the country lads and lasses
But in time they became ex-
perts in the business and drifted away to
bigger and better factories where their skill
brought better pay. Their places were grad
ually filled by professional shoemakers, and
with them came trades -unionism. This took
no shape for several years, the villagers sue
ceeding in keeping it down. Finally the
Lasters' Union sent out from its league head
quarters, about six months ago, an order de-
signed to drive outside factories back to the
shoe metropolis. It came to Norway, and a
union was formed at midnight, followed by a
demand for raise of pay The company's
lease having expired, it was free to go, and
declared that rather than submit to an in
crease of wages there it would better again
concentrate its works at Lynn, and they gave
notice to quit The villagers were dis
mayed. The loss Of the factory meant the
destruction Of the business of the place.
They offered to buy out the striking lasters if
they would quit the place, but they refused to
do SO. Meanwhile, the manufacturers became
alarmed over the discovery that it was the
purpose of the Lasters' Union to ''push them
to the walP when they got back to Lynn I'M
less they received such wages as they de-
manded. Turning again to the villagers, the
firm agreed to remain if they were provided
with sufficient accommodation of all their
business, with the idea of leaving Lynn en-
tirely. The town accordingly built an addi-
ton to the buildings sufficient to accommo-
date 400 more hands The town then went to
work to crush out the Lasters' Union, and its
members were boycotted in every possible
way. The fight has been very bitter ever
since. Strangely enough, the country
people favor the strikers They OPP
| posed the coming of the factory, and
| have been hostile to it ever since All
this time the harm done to both sides is
great, and the end is not in view. For ten
years the factory and the town prospered.
Those who thought they could do better else
where exercised their right to go, and their
places were supplied by others glad to accept
| the wages offered. The idea of cross boycott
| ing is a vicious one, but it is the legitimate
outgrowth of the plan. It suggests itself just
as naturally as self-defense does, and in time
must be put into practice The injustice and
| tyranny of it will then become apparent, and
| it will be abandoned on both Sides Labor
unions can defend themselves without resort
ing to it, nor can they resort to it without
| eventually working disaster to themselves