Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-12


the boys was prevented.
Superintendent Druitt, of the Newsbovs'
Home, has been opposed to the union as it
was proposed to be formed. He said ''cor-
nermen and outsiders should not
interfere with the boys" but if they wanted
to organize he had no objection to their do
ing so of their own accord. This engendered
feeling against Superintendent Druitt
among the boys who were friends of Officer
Grimes So bitter was the feeling that they
declined to go to the Home last night to
meet until Superintendent Druitt assured
them that his position had been misunder-
stood.
There were 146 boys present, all of whom
have given in their names as members of
the union. Thomas Steele, the Union depot
newsboy, presided, assisted by Joseph
Gifin, another newsie After explaining
the objects of the union Officer Grimes, who
has come to be recognized as a sort of a
director general in the affair, was called on
for speech. He was heartily applauded
by the boys.
SUPERINTENDENT DRUITT'S OBJECTIONS.
for remarks and then the trouble arose. He
objected to the proposed badge, saying the
boys were being imposed III and inti-
mating that the union ought to be under
the jurisdiction of the Home. He said the
badges were unnecessary and it was an i'm
position to compel them to pay 30 cents for
them as they were of poor material.
Officer Grimes said after the meeting that
the badges were made of German silver
similar to those street car employees pay
81 20 for. Besides, the boys only put up a
forfeit for them. If at any time they quit
the union they give up their badges and
their money is returned
When tine meeting broke up lot of BOYS,
said to have tried to break up the union,
met the members in the alley as they were
leaving the building and hurled stones at
them. George Power, aged 13, who lives
on Second avenue, was struck in the face
with boulder, and Harry Becker, IA years
of age, was knocked down and kicked.
The following rules were adopted for the
government of the union:
Rule IA member must be a newsboy Of good
character and under 16 years.
Rule 2-He shall pay so cents for a badge. Upon
the returning of same at any time he shall get his
Rule 3-Each newsie shall pay to the proper per-
son 10 cents per month. said money to be deposited
Rule 4-when any boy gets SO i'll or hurt so as to
be unable to sell or shine, committee of four shall
see him. One Of the committee shall be the
President or Vice President. After due in
vestigaton If not found fit for duty they shall
report. and the Relief Committee shall pay the
sick boy 81 80 per week, or 81 Is for three days.
Rule 5-An boys wearing badges must be clean
and neat while on duty. They must not bad
language of any kind the street. They must
treat al members of the profession as they would
like to be treated themselves.
Rule 6-An boys found cheating each other out of
the number of the pApers bought the selling Of
first editions for last shall pay fine of cents for
first offense and 10 cents for the second. etc.
THE SCALE FOR SHINES.
Rule 7-Shines on dry days, cents; on wet days,
10 cents Sundays 10 cents; all shoes or boots
No. II. 10 cents.
Rule s-Any boy found sleeping in doorways or
newspaper offices at night shall, on the convic-
ton on first offense, be fined 10 cents, and on the
third oense shall give up his badge and cannot be
one of the gang without a three-third vote of the
whole gang.
Rule 9-4n gambling is strictly prohibited, such
pitching pennies, shooting crap, etc., during
business hours. After that a little game just for
fun is all right but look out for ''de cop.'
Rule 10-We shall not admit any bad boys into
our union. Boys who boarded at the Quay Hotel,
on the Panhandle, cannot join de gang when over
16 years of age, but all boys under 16 years who
come out with good merits and promise TO do right
we will assist to start in business.