Los Angeles herald., 1890-09-23
A STATEMENT OF FACTS
BY the Los Angeles Printers Protec.
tive Fraternity.

To Whom it May Concern:
During several weeks past there have
been scattered broadcast throughout the
city purported copies of resolutions
adopted by several local labor organiza-
tions, denouncing the HERALD and Times
newspapers as enemies of organized
labor; but those denunciations are, in
fact. directed against the labor organ
ization known as the Printers Protective
Fraternity. We are confident that such
action was induced by one-sided state
ments and gross Misrepresentation, and
therefore, believing that the individual
members of these labor organizations do
not mean to be unfair to coordinate
bodies, we offer to them and to the pub
lie the following true statement of our
side of the case, to the end that Justice
may be done us and those who act with
us:
First. Let it be clearly understood that
the Printers Protective Fraternity Is a
labor organization in the fullest and
strictest sense. 1t is as much so as any
other similar body in existence.
Second. Its aims are: The social ele-
walton of its members to secure for
their labor fair share OF the wealth it
creates; to effect the removal of the an
tagonisms that have so long existed be-
tween labor and capital, for we believe
such antagonisms to be detrimental to
both; to care for members in sickness,
and to extend substantial aid to the
widow and the orphan.
The attack that has been made upon
our society is in the interest of the Typo
graphical Union, an organization COM
posed Of but small percentage Of the
printers of the United States. 1t is a
body that arrogates to itself the espe-
cial championship and protection OF the
interests of the craft. We deny the
claim.
This body charges our Fraternity
with seeking to reduce wages with be-
ing enemies of organized labor; with
having none but inferior workmen in
our ranks; with possessing a member
ship composed of the offscourings OF
society, and other heinous offenses. A
candid and honest investigation will
show the utter falsity of every one of
these charges.
The Fraternity has never reduced the
prevailing rate of wages on entering
any field, but in many instances has
increased the scale. We can refer any
one seeking the truth to our advent into
Los Angeles. We have not reduced the
scale that has been in vogue here for a
long time. The pay-rolls OF the Offices
in which we are employed stand as
proof positive of this assertion.
Again, when the Fraternity was Or
ganized in Kansas City the established
scale was 80 cents per 1000 ems for COM
positors. The Fraternity asked for
81 cent scale, and received it for over
IL months before the Typographical
union came up to our standard. A short
time after the rival organization got the
advance to 37la cents, we asked for 40
cents, and were awarded that rate sew
eral months before the Typographical
union made move to come up to our
advanced standard. A glance at our
constitution will explain our sick
benefit and insurance system.
Great stress is laid by our organ
ization on the fact that it does not coun-
tenance strikes, under any circum-
stances. On the contrary, in our laws
we strictly discountenance them as be-
ing unnecessary and injurious, and we
offer instead system of arbitration,
which we have found effective in set
tling grievances whenever and wherever
they arise.
The Printers Protective Fraternity
has nothing to conceal, and confidently
courts investigation as to its system,
its laws, its practical workings and its
membership, which is composed of
citizens of the country and honorable
men and women, who have no apologies
to make for their affiliations, and who
claim equal rights with their fellows in
the great field of labor.
Asking our fellow workmen and the
general public to investigate the mat
ters here presented, and to form just
opinions in the premises,
We remain, fraternally yours,
T. p. Brown,
EUGENE BAssETT,
w