The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-10-31
TO THE woRKINeMEN OF PBNNsYL.
VANIA.

Your earnest attention is called to
the following statement OF facts. You
are invited by your fellow-workmen OF
the PENNSYLVANIA Branch Of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor to carefully
read and digest the case as herein pre-
sented. and then circulate the same
among your friends. Believing that
Won have a proper regard for the dig
nity of labor, and the right of labor to
organize, we feel that you will arrive
at fair aud intelligent conclusion.
On January l, 1890, at 8 o'clock in
the morning the members of Typograph-
ical Union No. 2, employed on the
Philadelphia Press, were given the
alternative of deserting their organlza-
ton or ceasing to work on said paper.
With a unanimity that was remarkable
over 100 men chose their Union and
three chose the Press Typo0raphi.
cal Union No. has made repeated
efforts to regain the Office, and have
been unable to obtain any answer,
other than that the union will not be
r, cognized and that no union men can
work there.
Some time subsequently the matter
was brought to the attention OF the
Unitid Labor League of Philadelphia,
and a committee was appointed to wait
upon the Press manager. This W as
done. but without result, the committee
beipp informed that the union men
would not be permitted to return.
At the Convention of the Pennsylv-
ania Branch of the American Fedora
ton of Labor at Harrisburg, October
20, 21, %, this condition of affairs was
stated, and the following resolution
, presented and passed without dissent.
ing voice.
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Press
: has debarred organized labor from
working in its office, solely because
{ they are members of Union, as stat
, ed explicitly by its business manager
, to a committee of said Union, the
, question of expense not entering into
Q his action in locking out members o.
said Union, and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Press
is recognized organ of one of tn,
great parties, receiving its moral anc
9 financial support in: no small degree
! I and
WHEREAS, Said party claims as on'
of the strongest reasons why it shoul'
e receive the support of the working
e class that it is especially careful o
IS their interests, and believing that prop
e er pressure brought from said organiza
tion would reclaim the Press compos
ling room to the ranks Of unionism, b
10 it.
# Resolved That this body condemn
,e the action OF the Philadelphia Pres
N in locking out its hands because o
e, their allegiance to unionism, and furtf
of er be it
i'll Resolved, That the action of tn
76 body be made kno wn, through its 5 {
or retary, to all the bodies Of organic
n. labor here represented, in order tha
,l. the voters of this Common wealth, wh
ID are being so assiduously courted b
ed both parties, may be made aware
ia the true state of aft airs, and bA able T.
It. weigh this matter intelligently befol
R. exercising the right of franchise
he November.
ell. Previous to the Adjournment of Il
he convention committee OF five wi
as appointed to endeavor to unionize Il
ol- Press, none of which committee we
at. printers. o, Thursday, October %
TO- a committee of Typographical UniC
,te No. 2 waited upon State Chairmi
- Andrews, and were given to unde
: stand that Mr.. Cook, the busine
manager of the Press, desired Col
On ference with the committee of the Fe
:" GRAFTON.
60 On Friday, October oath, asub, col
cit mittee, consisting of /. w. Bisbin
no President of the Pennsylvania bran
'ry of the American Federation of Lab
Der and VIM. H, Barrett, Secretary of t
Or United Labor League of Philadelph
aus went to the Press office for the pul
ro ose of carrying out the instructions
NJ, rnu the convention.
Lne Mr.. Cook, the business manager
az the Press, was seen at the entrance
,olI his private Office, and, although
uaS preached iu gentlemanly way by t
LUG committee, flew into rage, and deni
ol any desire for conference by CALI
my one of the committee liar. WI
'ers this committee was disposed to swall
ior the insult for the sake of the men ii
m ~ found it impossible to bring the Pr
'roi fo manager to reasonable understand
m lor of the dignity aud importance of
me- occasion. Mr.. Cook would not reas
'1n and in a short time the commit
lHi withdrew.
'olh Fellow Workingmen, this isn't
'.ls question of tariff or party, morality
'Go - men-simpy of the right OF men to
is ganize fof their own protection.
in Press breaches protection to the VIC
'ela- ingman. What kind does it meanC
ana ganized or unorganizedf By its act
r,o ,no it says unorganized.
mo The committee of the Federal
lay y: presents this plain statement of fs
,seil for your consideration and asks you
ioes consider this matter as il il were Y