St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-11-30
A Heretofore Vacant Space
Well Filled by the Labor
Lyceum.
"Pluck-Me" Stores Are Being
Closely Watched by Labor
Lynx Eyes.
The Trades Assembly Legis-
lates on Many Matters Of
Interest.
Industrial Information Col
Iected From Various Twin
City Sources.

The labor lyceum seems to fill a space that
must have been vacant in labor circles be-
fore. The meeting last Sunday brought out
considerable criticism and comment, and
will probably have its influence in shaping
legislation this winter to restrain child labor.
The committee on speakers has the follow
lug list provided. Nearly all of those men,
toned have consented to read papers, and
the others will be consulted as soon as posi-
BILE. The partial list is j. c. Mccarthy, j. j.
Ryder, T. d. O'Brien. M. J, Costello, A. s.
Edwards. Mrs. Kate Davis.J. P. McGaughey,
John W. Willis Eva Mcdonald, John Lamb,
j. f. Casserly, Mollie Lee. William Jones, j.
B. Taylor, Mrs. F. L. RUSSELL Thomas Ward,
G.. NJ. Muller j. Il. Holman, Moritz Helm
From this list it will be seen that great va
riety of subjects will be presented, and no
doubt interesting discussions will grow out
of the ideas advanced.
"Pluck-me" stores are supposed to exist
only in Eastern and Southern mining dis
tricts. But the report submitted to the
trades assembly Friday evening seems to in
dictate that the enterprising contractor on
Fairview avenue runs corporation board
ing house with pluck-me annex. The COM
plant recites that the men are paid Sl.I2I1
day; they work about eleven hours, and
none are hired who will not board at the
boarding house on the premises. The men
are likely to be in debt to the contractor at
the end of the season. committee will
carefully investigate the affair before the as
semby takes any action; but if the facts are
as above represented, the contractor is likely
TO gain some new Impressions as to how
pluck-me stores are regarded by Western
workingmen. incidentally, the investigation
may furnish some data as to the desirabilty
OF having such work done by the day rather
than by contract labor.
The recent trouble OF the iron molders at
saltwater was largely managed by the st.
and largest branch In the state. The craft is
thoroughly organized and It's constitution
forbids members of the union to work with
convicts After trying various plans tor
keeping the convlctS at work with union
men, the warden Of the prison requested
list OF the most prominent and active men,
hers Of the iron molders' unions throughout
the state, the ostensible purpose being to
have q ready means of communication with
the union IN case of further trouble. To the
molders, however, that request is suggestive
OF that powerful weapon of capital, the
''black list" The warden was furnished
list, but he would have pulling time try
ing to identify the people named there. The
iron molders will, however. look after the af
fairs of their trade so thoroughly that in case
of future trouble deputation will promptly
wait on the warden without the forlnality of
an invitation from him.
The willingness of the shoe firms of ST.
Paul to quit handling P. Cox shoes shows
that much better understanding now exists
between merchants and working people than
in former years. Even two years ago CON-
mittee who called on an errand OF this sort
was likely to be politely but firmly requested
to leave the store, They would also be ad-
vised that the merchant cared nothing for
the opinions of organized labor, and was
quite competent to manage his business
without outside interference The early
closing movement and other reforms have
brought the merchants into more friendly
relations with organized labor, and they
recognize the justice of the plan of patron
izing stores which handle fair goods. That
means goods made by fairly paid labor.
A large number of dealers say that they are
so well satisfied with the early closing move
ment that after Jan: they will close early
Monday evenings. leaving only Saturday
evening for the clerks to work late. The
clerks are heartily glad of this change Of SEN
timent, and will renew their efforts to make
the early closing movement popular with all
classes.