The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-13
WARM THE BEER BUSINESS
Chicago Employees Go On Strike Because
Renewal of Old Contracts Is Refused.
The Bosses Flatly Decline TO Recognize the
Union, and Long Fight Is Probable-NeW
York Threatened with Beer Famine.
Strike OF BREWERS.
Employers Decline TO Renew Old Contracts
and q General strike Results.

NJ. to-day. Such a move has been imminent for
some time, and had its origin IN circular issued
by the brewery proprietors, which IN substance
announced their determination TO refuse recog-
milton OF any Brewers and Masters Unions
The first clash between the employers and the
men resulting from the circular came about a
week ago Foreman Miller. of Ernst Bros
brewery. gave employment to a non-union man
named Alvin Backman. Backman was formerly
an employee of the firm, but for the past year or
so has been running saloon. He claims that
Mr.. Miller promised him employment on April |.
Backman's presence in the brewery excited the
anger of his sixteen fellow-employes, all OF
whom belong to the Brewers and Masters
Union, No. is, and a vigorous protest was made
to the foreman. Backmans immediate dismissal
was asked for. Mr.. Miller refused. and told the
man if they did not like it they might all leave,
which they did. Later in the day they recon
sidered their action and applied for reinstate-
ment. Mr.. Miller agreed to take them all back
except the one whom ne considered the ring
leader of the revolt This proved new griev-
ance to the men. and they refused to accept the
proposition.
The news spread rapidly to the men employed
in other breweries, and Secretary Young was
induced to call a meeting, which was held at the
Lake street Fully nine hundred men crowded
into the room. Many of the speeches made
were violent in tho extreme, and it was decided
to stand by the Ernst Bros men at all hazards,
and see that the union was recognized. The
sentiment in favor of an immediate general
strike was strong, but. matter of policy,
the event was postponed pending negotiations
with the employers. The negotiations have
been fruitless, and this morning 800 maltsters
and brewers quit work, stopping every brewery
in the city except Ernst Bros, and throwing
of employment probably fifteen hundred to
two thousand men. Ernst Bros establishment
is working because the proprietors some days
ago secured a force of non-union men.
1t appears that for some time past. no iudi-
vidual brewery-owner has made a contract with
The individual men he employed, but they were
paid and worked according TO the schedule OF
wages and hours fixed by the contract with the
union. Yesterday strike committee, in spite
of the published declaration Of the bosses that
they would not renew contracts made the de-
mand that contracts be made for another year.
This proposition fatty rejected. The bosses
declared that they would make terms each with
his own men. The question was then raised
whether the bosses would recognize the Brewers
and Maltsters' Union at ell, and the bosses
answered in the negative. The representatives
of the union were told that the bosses did not
object to trades-union on general principles,
but did not want to deal with one that was in
the hands of Anarchists. Matt Sehmidinger,
who was present representative of the Gen.
trai Labor Union, in the course of the discussion
shis point. avowed that he Anarchists
The discussion became heated. and the representa-
tives of the men withdrew very much dissatisfied.
The Chicago union is in bad financial condition.
Tt had about $l2, 900 in the treasury few months
n a n ranH Wa Vent
for the defense and burial of the executed An
archists. and the support of the widows and
orphans. The Brewers Union direct
~ interested in this matter than any other
tredes-union. by reason of the fact that it owes
its organization to Oscar Neebe. the Anarchist,
who was sentenced to fifteen years in the peni
Tertiary.
w. C. Sepp, leading brewer, explains the
situation IN these words: 1.-THE Central Labor
Union has dictated to us what we should do,
what men we should hire, where we should buy
our malt. beer kegs and hops. and in Milwaukee
they refused to work for brewers who pur-
chased malt made by non-unon men. In
word, they have virtually been running our
brewer1es and this we are resolved shall not 60
any further. We shall do just please
from this on. To keep peace and to humor
them did sign that contract two years ago,
but believe it is better TO break bad promise
than to keep it. We knew this strike must
come sooner or later They have had it in New
York for some time, and are recovering from il
in Milwaukee now. The master brewers all
over the country belong to the same association,
and that being the case, the strike would
eventually come to Chicago at early date had
it been delayed at the present time" Mf.
Seipp then said that the following notice was
given to the three days after the hanging
of the Anarchists, when they quit work and had
jubilee
To the Employees in Our Breweries and alt houses:
We take these to call your attention to your
action of last week, when you gave peremptory notice.
would not work on Friday the 11th thereby practi.
caly stopping our work for that day. While you
1onbtess had not fully considered your action.
nave overlooked the same on account of tho
events of the day. You certainly have reason to
complain that we at any time have attempted to
hinder you In the enjoyment of your rights, but you
WILL after due consideration arrive with at the
conclusion that the question of when brewery shall
De operated and when not must rest entirely with the
proprietor, and this right SHALL in the future
maintain at all hazard There is power on earth
70 compel man to work, but there IS equal absence
of power to force us to stop works, if for
single day. And we are firmly resolved not to paw
any attention In future to notices, such you gave
last week In case of repetition of your action we
shall give all those who wish work opportunity
orily. In conclusion wish to submit for your con-
sderation that state of emnity between you and us
cannot promote your welfare, and that such
state should not be engendered by llconsidered
actions.
This proclamation was signed by every brewer
in Chicago and upon receiving it tire Central La
Dor Union set to work to rouse up the brewers
and maltsters to sense of their alleged wrongs
Their leaders had little success until second
comm unication to the Workmen was issuad nv
To All Our Employees
The resolution adopted by the United States Brew
ers Association and signed by nearly all the brewers
in the United States wish to accompany by the
surance, over signatures. that We do not in
tend to reduce the lengthen the hours of la
Dor of any one in our employ, do for moment
intend to deny the right DISPUTE your privilege
TO unite and cooperate for the beterment of your lot
But will not allow any interference with our egt
innate rights owners of breweres citizens of
the United States and this latter privilege we shall
maintain not only for ourselves. but also the large
majority of your number who agree with us in the
conclusion that the apparent leaning anarchis of
Il brewery workngmen of Chicago has cast upon our
trade stigma which has reacted and will further re-
against mutual interests. We further assure
those of you who have sooften complained about
the dctatoria and expensive management of your af
fairs that viii, under al circumstances protect
them in their rights by all legitimate means at our
command.
This struck right at the Central Labor Union.
and committee from that society. with Matt
Schmiedinger and Charles Hepp at its head
called upon the master brewers at their monthly
meeting, yesterday, in Room S. Metropolitan
Block There were four members of the Brew