St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-04
MINNEAPOLIS COMMENT.

In all interview with j. p. Nc
Gaughey, of the state bureau of labor
statistics, hesays: ''The bureau is now
completing its investigation in regard
to intelligence offices. This inquiry
was begun in January, when several
proprietors of offices were arraigned in
the municipal and district courts for
doing business contrary to the state
law. They were found guilty, but SEN
tence was suspended because the city
ordinance of Minneapolis conflicted
with the state law. The courts have
now decided that all people doing an
Intelligence office business shall pay
500 license and file bond of $4,000 for
good behavior. This will naturally
drive out many of the smaller and more
disreputable establishments. The bu
reau will take particular pains to see
that the conditions of the state law are
not evaded by those staying in the bust
ness. Also that the names nominated
in the bond are those of responsible
persons, who can be held liable in case
the Office attempts anv of the illegiti
mate methods which have heretofore
been special feature of intelligence
Office business. The working people
have been ylctimiZed so often by intel
ligence offices that they do not consider
the bond OF $4,000 an injustice, but
rather as a much-needed protection to
the class of people who are least able to
defend themselves against fraud or in
justice.
The success of the strike among men
employed by the street railway COM
panY shows different sentiment from
that sc noticeable one year ago. Then
the organized employees struck because
their pay was reduced to 10 cents per
hour and they were obliged to sign an
''iron-clad'' in order to obtain employ
ment. The strike was a failure. This
year several hundred unorganiZed en-
ployes strike for an increase of wages
and obtain their demand within three
hours. Verify 1.-The world do move"
The plumbers strike presents an in
stance of a struggle between the en-
ployerS' union and that Of the journey
men. The plumbers are not asking
higher wages-only a shortening of
hours. There is every prospect that
they will obtain the concession. One
of the employers gravely remarked yes
terday: 1.-The jOurneymen plumbers
are different from other classes of
Workmen. 1t wouldn't be any use to
try to starve them into submission.
They have plenty of money. and most
of them wouldn't mind taking q holiday
that would last all summer. But we
employers have contracts on hand that
must be finished or we are ruined. We
want the j0urneymen plumbers and
they know it. | suppose we will have
to let them Werk only nine hours day
if they say So,' and the employer re-
turned to his work with sigh.
The debate between the Nationalist
and Single tax clubs Tuesday was
quite interesting, and 1t is noticeable
that they arrived at the conclusion
which has long been held by Knights
of Labor and trades unionistS-namely,
that the naturalization of land values
must be the first step toward industrial
freedom. The voluntary cooperation
will determine how far the nationalist
ton Of industry is practicable.
The Trade and Labor assembly fully
endorses the plan of federation sub
mitted by the state eight-hour league,
but referred it to every organization so
that there can be no mistake in regard
to the sentiment The farmers alli-
ances all over the state are sending in
letters asking for full particulars Of the
plan and expressing themselves as
heartily in favor of such movement.
From present indications, it is probable
that the call will be delayed month or
more so as to get full expression of
opinion from all organizations inter-
eSted.