St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-18
GO OUT ON A STRIKE.
Employees Of a Couple Of Lo-
cal Cigar Shops Leave
Their Benches.
Differences Over Too Long
Hours and Cuts in Wages
Caused 1t All.
Rev. DR.. MeKaig Sails Into the
Methodist Congregations
and Others.
More of the Trial Of Young
Ricker--Genepal Round
up of the City.

Large results are often the offshoots
of small beginnings. and the fact is apt
~ illustrated by the trouble between
the cigar manufacturers and the union.
E. ii. Chandler and F. G. Lauer,
two local manufacturers, have incurred
the enmity of CigarmakerS' Union No.
"a. with the result that their help quit
work on Saturday evening. The labor-
ing element of the city think the
ground was sufficient, and as there is
considerable amount of feeling over
the eight-hour movement, the strike
| has created no end of excitement in
labor circles.
The origin of the movement dates
| back one year ago. when the uuiOn was
informed that Leon Hank. foreman for
Z. Ii. Chandler d Co, was in the habit
of working over hours, and having his
men do the same. cOncealing them be-
| hind a screen so thatany member of the
union who might be passing could not
see them. The result was that Hank
was brought before the local assembly.
He gave as an excuse that he had other
duties to perform which interfered with
his work during the day, and he was
compelled to work overtime to make up
! for it. In spite of a promise of refOrma-
JiUn that he made at the time, he con-
| tinued to work in the same manner
| against the express orders of the union.
AS soon as they became informed Of
| this they took the union label away
| from Chandler u CO.. several weeks ago,
| and the union men walked out, and
| few non-union men have been working
| in their places.
ID. G. Lauer in the meantime resolved
that there was more money in the
business for him by letting out the
! union men. He therefore issued an
order to the effect that he would soon
| reduce the scale for cigarmakers from
50 cents to 81 per thousand, according
| to the quality of the goods, giving as lis
| reason the fact that he was already
overstocked with cigars, and that the
supply was greatly in excess over the
demand. In response TO this circular,
committee waited upon Mr.. Lauer, and,
after considerable controversy, he in
formed it that the price he had
offered was the same scale that
was in force in Milwaukee, and he
did not propose to pay NOSE
than the union asked for in that city.
The union men STATE that he told them
that he would either have his stock
made in Milwaukee and shipped here,
! or bring cigarmakers here from Mil
waukee. Mr.. Lauer then left for the
Cream city and returned last week. He
still adhel ed to his determination, and
the result was union meeting last
| Tuesday. The union there telegraphed
the international union for advice. which
was received at once. The men walked
quietly out of the shop on Saturday,
! and the union label went with them.
This is only a starter, however, for
all the other unions will be visited this
week by committee, and a boycott will
IA DC 70 mi Sh IN
boxes of which the blue label is not
pasted. The city will also be canvassed
Ond report made of all dealers who
handle non-uniOn cigars. All the labor
| organizations so far visited promise to
give their active support. 1t is the
opinion of cigarmakers generally that,
If the fight instituted against
the union should prove success
full, living wages could not be
earned at the business in Minneapolis.
Ben AarOnS. chairman Of the label COM
mittee of Union ~, was of the opinion
that it would be the starter to return
| of the old trucking" system, when men
| were paid their weeks wages in cigars,
| which they were obliged to sell in order
| to get their money. He says that in the
| event of general lockout, the union is
| in circumstances to stay out for five
months If it became necessary to do so.
| According to his statement their treas
| ury contains nearly Sl4 for every one or
| the q, 900 members of the union in the
| United States, and they will be amply
| able to pay the local branch Sc per week
| for every member during the time he is
| idle.
| In regard to the claim made by the
| local manufacturers, that the Minneap-
oils union asked higher rate per thou
sand than the Milwaukee union, he
said that the conditions were not at all
the same, for in Milwaukee the labor
was nearly all non-union. He stated
! that the Minneapolis union rates were
so cents per thousand lower than those
of st. Paul. In his opinion the trouble
will not extend 10 the other manu-
| facturers, as the union is willing to do
| what is right in the matter. and the
trouble will probably be amicably adj
| justed.
The store of F. c. Lauer, 921 Nicollet
| avenue, was open, but the mandatory
was shut down. Mr.. Lauer was absent,
but the clerks stated that he had always
tried to do the best he could by his help,
but thinks that he should not pay $3.50
for making cigars that only cost So to
make in Milwaukee. They said that the
concern had large stock alre ady on
hand, and it was necessary to reduce eX-
penseS in order to make both ends meet.
What makes Mr.. Lauer feel the worst
is the loss of the blue labels for the
cigars already in stock which have been
manufactured by union men. He thinks
that it is but justice that he should be
allowed labels for them. He states that
he only wished to be able to compete
with Milwaukee manufacturers, who
are shipping large amounts of goods to
this city. On his scale of prices he said
that the poorest paid man in the shop
would earn S54 per month, and those
working on the better grades $50
and SO.