Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-30
WOrkingmen Threaten Active War
on Dirt and Are Preparing for
an Organized Attack.
THEY WANT TACHANCE TO BE TIDY
And Are Willing to Stand Their Share
Of the Expense Necessary to
lnaugurate Reform.
PITTsBURG AWAY BEHIND THE EAST.
Several Social Clubs and Library Associations to
Discuss Ways and Means

1ueIe ls just now q IeVolutl0n brewing
among the workingmen of the two cities.
A Feeling is manifest which promises to
end in open rebellion or long struggle and
series of arbitration meetings before the re-
form is brought about This is not labor
dispute or question of bread and butter.
Employers and employees are not embroiled
in q bitter warfare. Instead, from pres
ent indications, they will walk hand in
hand, and together seek a solution of the
question.
The rebellion is against dirt, and the
leaders are champions of cleanliness Their
watchword is Next to Godliness is Clean
liness."
In short THE DISPATCH's agitation of
the wash and toilet room reform for mills
and factories has created such a feeling
among workingmen that it is probable that
the asked-for boon will be introduced in
many workshops ere long.
A number Of clubs, whose members be-
long to the large army OF toilers, at the
rolls, the workshop, or factory, have signi-
fed their intention to bring the matter be-
fore the separate organizations at the first
meeting and see what can be done in the
matter.
ALL FAVOR THE REFORM.
As an initiatory move all the members of
all clubs visited yesterday were quick in
the assurance that everyone was heartily in
favor of the reform. Further, they war
ranted the statement that their organizations
were ready to further any move that would
lead to the establishment, by their employ
ers, of wash and toilet rooms. They have
not had an opportunity to hold any meet
ings on the subject, or discuss ways and
means, but will do so, and may cooperate
with the manufacturers to set the reform
going.
The above deductions are the result of
tour yesterday of large number of clubs
adjacent to mills and factories, and by talks
with numerous knots of workingmen, a
major portion being on the Southside. Few
men were found who had not read The
DISPATCH articles. 1t was further found
that the men had got past the stage of de-
claring that washrooms were good thing,
and had been discussing among themselves
the means of bringing about the change.
The Mechanics Library Association, of
Brownstown, is one of the Oldest associa-
tions in the city. II has about 175 members,
composed of mill men, glasSworkers and
numbers in other trades and vocations.
Lawyer W. j. Bremen, President of the
club, was chosen spokesman by the men,
when a visit was paid to the room last night.
He said:
''The sentiment of all the club members is
with The DISPATCH in its endeavor to
have wash and toilet rooms added to the
mills and factories"
''Yes, everyone of us are in favor of it,
from the start, added another member.
EFFECT OF SURROUNDINGS.
Continuing Mr.. Bremen said: "Envir- |
onments have great effect on a mans |
manners as we'll as morals. If facilities /
were afforded for keeping clean, it could |
not but have a still greater influence with |
the men, for as cleanliness is next to Godli-
ness, it also leads to Godliness, and selfre-
spect is a great step in that direction"
Something was spoken about a declara-
tion of the clubs stand on the question by /
a member, and it was decided that nothing
could be said of what the organization will
do to help the move until meeting is held
and the subject talked over. Some solution
may then be worked out. either in the way
of petitions, committees to wait on the diff
ferent manufacturers or some other means
not yet formulated.
Mr.. Bremen said: "Pittsburg is away
behind on the wash-room question. In the
East and some parts of the West all the fac
Aa,1o |
for instance, the Globe Rolling
Mills are supplied with toilet rooms The
men not living in the immediate vicinity
changed their clothes before and after
work. Washbowls are arranged along one
side of the room, and on the other side are
hooks for the men to hang their clothes on.
All the workingmen, including puddlers
and those Of each department, take advan-
age of the rooms.
at is also noticeable in the East
that men seen working in the
mills and factories with their old
1ily clothes on would hardly be recognized
,n the street, so tidy did they look. Again,
girls that were seen with old wrappers on
md old shoes, appeared on the street
dressed in a manner that would make one
proud of them"
Up on Carson street, near Jones & Laugh
Inns mill Office, group of men was found
,hatting. Among the number were Will |
am A. Carney, Vice President of the
Amalgamated Association; William Rob-
'rts, ex-Vice President, and Trustee Pierce,
,f the same organization. Mr.. Carney said
he did not doubt that the men would fall
u with any move that might be
made to induce the manufacturers to put
in wash rooms. 1t would be a capital
hing.
ANOTHER SUGGESTION.
In addition to having the rooms, he added,
t would be a good idea to have jani-
tor. or janitors, to dry clothes that are wet
and keep the rooms in order. Each man
could furnish his own towel, and the men
night arrange to cooperate with the firm
IN paying the running expenses of the es-
Adjustments.
Mr.. Roberts thought that the reform
,ould hardly be introduced into the puddle
department., as the men are in the habit OF
washing in the nearest pool OF water, and
lurrying home. However, it might become
popular after the rooms had been introduced /
or awhile. The men at Jones & Laugh
ins' and Wharton's are given five minutes
If the firms time to wash in, and bring their
,wn towels. Many also bring clothes; but
rave no proper place to dress and make
heir toilet.
The Xantha Club has 90 members, many
# them glass men. The men are all in |
avor of il, and at a meeting of the club it ,
Will be decided what shall be done to
rave their places of work supplied. Au-
hority was given to say that the club is
'eady for and were looking to an adoption
# the wash and toilet room system.
The Twilight Social has fifty members
1ne of the number said that if the question