The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-04
STRIKE OR LOCKOUT

Two Hundred Crispins Leave Bucking-
ham 81 Hecht.
Labor circles were excited yesterday by
q strike at Buckingham IL Hechts factory
on Tweuty-lOurth street, involving about
two hundred members of the Boot and
Shoe Makers White Labor League
The trouble, it IS believed by many men,
bers of the league. will result in the lockout
of all the union shoemakeis in the employ
of the Boot and Shoe Manufacturers Asso-
clatiou com posed of Buckingham IL Hecht,
Porter, Slessinger Il Co, Calm, Nlckelsburg
& Co. and Rosenthal. FEEDER & Co., as these
firms are believed TO have entered into an
agreement to support each other in the event
of trouble with employees.
The members of the league are positive
that Buckingham 81 Hecht have been
maneuyering for several months to bring
RbouJ the disruption of their union, and
that the Manufacturers Association was
formed for that purpose. They state that
during the past three months Buckingham
& Hecht have been freezing out members of
the union, and have made numerous at
tempts to reduce wages in individual cases.
1t is also stated that the firm pays lower
wages than are paid IN downtown fac
torres.
THE CAUSE OF THE STRIKE.
A member of the union who has worked
seventeen years in the big factory says he
was let out few days ago, and was told
tina. times are dull, and only the married
men would be kept.
The cause Of Yesterdays strike is laid at
the door of William SpOfford, member of
the union, VINO, it is said, has been working
for lower wages than the organization per-
mts. 1t is said that the work SpOfford does
is paid for at the rate Of eight cents apiece,
bat that he has been doing it by and with
the consent of the firm at six cents apiece,
ana Furthermore that the firm has assisted
him in deceiving the union by appearing to
pay him the usual price.
When SpOHOrdS alleged Misunderstanding
berame known TO the league an investiga-
ton was ordered, and it is said that he made
Il iuil confession, but excused himself by
saying that he had a family to support
The union asked him to give up his position
ia the factory, but he refused, saying that
lie was satisfied with his place.
sULLIvAN's NEGOTIATIONS.
The union then endeavored to have Spot
ford discharged by the firm, and sent its
Secretary, Alexander Sullivan, 10 Bucking-
ham IL Heeht on Thursday morning. Suit
van called at the Office and was told to sub
nit his demand ia writing, as the firm did
not recognize lin as the agent Of the union.
Sullivan declined and reported the result OF
his mission TO the Executive Committee of
the union, who instructed him to return and
repeat his demand the next day.
Yesterday Sullivan appeared again at the
factory, but obtained no satisfaction, A
meeting Of the Executive Committee of the
union was held, and all of its members were
ordered to strike at noon, leaving, as
one of them said, the factory to
the quiet possession of workman Sp0fford.
immediately after the strike meeting of
the Manufacturer Association was held,
but its members kept their dOings secret,
and whether they viii order a lockout or not
time alone VIII disclose. The strikers say
that The manufacturers will import goods
from the East until the strike is ended, and
they complain that certain manufacturers,
VINO love 10 pose as public benefactOrs,
have turned hundreds of workingmen and
women in the street by importing prison.
made goods from the East
The union will call upon the Labor Com
missioner to make thorough investigation
of the resent trouble and the importation
If Z stern goods.