St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-04-29

out on the crossings and in the street
cars as 'scabs,' who are unfit to associ
ate with honest, respectable girls" was
the verdict.
Ibid you get the balance of your pay
and your time books?" | asked.
''Most of us got our pay, but strange
to say our time books can't be found"
said one.
"They never got lost BEFORE" said
another, "and if our wages are all right
why don't the firm give us chance to
prove to the public how we are paid?'
came the stubborn question.
No one seemed to be ready to answer
the questions, so L was left doubling
whether the firm really wished the pub
lie to know how matters stood or not.
The doorkeeper reported that man
wished admission.
SIS he reporter" asked the chair
man.
mo, delegate from the East Side
Labor club?"
admit him."
"Why don't you admit reporters" |
willing to give the girls side OF the
question:"
EYES," was the answer, 'the newspa-
perS have treated us with more fairness
than we ever expected, but the girls
DON'T TALK AS LIVELY
when there are strangers here as they
do among themselves"
Judging from the way they talked
evidently they considered Eva Gay no
stranger. The delegate seemed some
what confused at finding himself the
only man in that crowd of girls. He
managed to Stammer that he was sent
to offer assistance in the shape of 500,
from the East Side club, also that he
would add $25 from his own pocket, and
if the girls were needy they would he
sure of plenty of assistance. His an
nouncement was received with applause
and vote of thanks rendered. He also
spoke of ''boy cotting" the goods of the
firm, pledging assistance in that direc-
ton.
"What is boycott?" asked.
The girls laughed. "Well, Eva, you
are bright one not to know that" they
said.
When the laugh subsidized one said:
"You see the trade of Shotwell, Cleri-
hew & Lothman is heavy in the city.
Now the goods they handle are those
worn by the laboring classes. We can,
by the united aid Of organized labor,
make those goods so unpopular that
there would be no sale for them, and the
stores now handling them will give
them up"
"How will you do that?" questioned.
I'VE have the sympathy and pledged
support of every labor organization and
trades union in the city, said bright
girl ''Wehave only to say the word and
no member of organized labor will buy
those goods nor allow any one with
whom he has influence to buy them; nor
will he trade where those goods are on
SALE"
| saw that the girls had powerful
weapon within their grasp. and won
dered how they'd handle it. One said:
Let's boycott them; let's do everything
in our power to bring them to terms.
They think nothing of virtually boycott
ing us because we ask to be treated
like human beings and given a chance
to earn living" Several remarks in
the same strain followed. Finally one
level-headed girl said:
"Its all right to boycott if we are
forced to it, but let's try every other
means first. l think we can make
terms without going to that extreme"
Mr.. Brosnan was called and said that
in his opinion the boycott was power
full and consequently dangerous weapon.
He would advise no rash action, but a
trial of pacific measures first. After
thorough discussion the girls agreed
that there was no necessity for such a
measure as yet. Judging from their de-
termined attitude in other respects, I
think they would make matters decid-
edly interesting for the firm if they did
boycott. Several retail stores were re-
ported as having voluntarily refused
their trade to Shotwell, Clerihew q
Lothman until the girls were reinstated.
The meeting then adjourned until Mon
day at O'Clock, same place.
WHAT THE FIRM SAID.
The committee waited Oh the firm to
report the result of the meeting, and
said: eve have not decided to make
any further changes in our demands"
Mr.. Shotwell said: "Now, girls, we
have got to make this business pay.
We are thinking of removing to st. Paul
or possibly Chicago"
A discussion followed as to wages, in
which Mr.. Shotwell claimed that he was
not aware when he showed the books to
visitors that the amounts were for more
than one weeks work. A call on
Father McGolrick found that gentleman
in sympathy with the strikers and hope
full for their success.
The committee didn't tell me, but /
heard it whispered that he favored
boycott.