The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-14

A New Orleans Labor Organization Of
Peculiar Power.


Peculiar Power.
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 13.-Labor Day, Sent. Z,
was celebrated as far south this year as
Louisiana and Mississippi New Orleans.
however. did not celebrate. and was one OF
the few American cities that failed to observe
1t, the failure being due to the fact that 1t has
Labor Day OF its own. Nov. as. which. al.
though there is no law making 1t such, Is a
general holiday, on which all business is sus.
pended. 1t is understood that q proposition
will be made this year to change tho date to
September. SO ms to conform with tho rest OF
the country. This will depend entirely upon
the screwmsn. whose anniversary and cele-
bration 10 Nov. as, for the other labor organi-
cations look up to the screwmen much as the
Russian peasants to the Gear. They are cor
tainly the head OF organized labor in this city.
and It is doubtful whether there is any more
powerful or influential labor association In
the world.
Tho trade OF screwman Is ono peculiar to a
few Southern ports. The screwmen are tho
men who store or screw " tho cotton in ships
1t Is the toughest labor. Little skill is needed.
but experience. of course. Ia OF value. The
screwmen use kind OF press which enables
them to got the bales sodly in the hold OF tho
vessel. They pack them very tight and close.
and this is OF double benefit. because II enn-
bles the vessel to carry more cotton than 1t
otherwise would. and also prevents the cotton
from shifting. II the cotton Is rolled into a
vessel she will carry. say. 1000 bales. but IL
screwed" in she can easily hold 1908 more
and will consequently make moro freight
money; and 10 case of heavy storm there
20 wins he o ne re IN ,ao
hurn very SLOWLY. and shoulder for days. so
surance companies bear testimony by charg-
ing smaller rate OF insurance where the cot-
ton carEoes are screwed than when otherwise
It viii be seen. therefore that 1t pays to en-
ploy the screwmen. Taking advantage OF this
eli powerful, and whose decisions in ali labor
merchants wculI not think Of resisting their
demands; and the other labor organizations
years ago the screwmen asked for 81 and s. a
hesun The n s ship soon got tired e it. 70,
They finally surre nd and going to the
accent their erms. They were not q little sur.
prsed when the mon told them that they had
and have had e We as sooa
asls given anywhere in the Union. ,..,.
aSor 'es ia Ions ut costs $50 intlatsn to
Join. md monthly dues are very heavy and
must be paid. for no man who owes cent to
the association can work at loading cotton.
men is paid into the treasury OF the orRaniza-
ton and is deducted in advance. In return
the association lays m en- Dor who Is disabled
or superannuated n pension OF from SIS TO ss q
week. paying out in this and similar benevo-
ioa9 se?eWmen but the income 400 Of tho ASSOC ss
citation is over $50, 600 2 year; IT. owns its own
in bonds and securities and isthus thoroughly
All the other labor organizations naturally
msnt Of them. No strike has ever. been
union labor has been at issue that the screw
men have not ,contri buted literally to the
strikers. They have given literally also to all
Exposioa a"ae Yet their 0 reserve ta s oG iund
continues to grow larger every year Tney get
a little over 40 cents bale for storing the cot
among i"un athoneh they work at
filling other places during the remaining
How great their influence T. was shown =,
hauling cotton. Tho Cotton Exchange actually
h Would
the trade Of the city: and when the screwmen
announced their decision that tho draymen
would have to look out for themselves. 1t set
The auest on. therefore. whether New Or
leans will Join with the rest OF the country In
of in NoveIn Der as at present. depends entirely
Of their ors.uizati"n. Nov. IS, the Labor Day
ipgmen's organizations of tho city would think
OF cele bratinG any othor day. this sristoc
racy OF labor proposed or would agree 10 1t.