St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-03-01
The WORLD OF WORK.
st. Paul Shoe Factory En-
ployes Oppose Ali Convict
Shoe Work.
The Trades Assembly Goes on
Record With Many Strong
Positions.
Legislative Matters Are Being
Watched With Keen Eyes
by Labor Bodies.
Industrial Information Clean
ed From Various Twin
City Sources.

One of the leading shoe firms of st.
Paul advocates the establishment OF
shoe factories at the Saltwater penlten-
tiary. The employees of the firm think
there is already too much competition
In the trade, and are by no means anX-
ious to see their work done by convicts.
1t is not known for certainty that the
firm referred to have any financial i'll
terest in the establishment OF such fac
tories at Saltwater, but the employees
fear that the suggestion does not arise
wholly from pbilanthrOpic motives; but
as long as the Alliance insists on the
manufacture of binding Irvine at Still
water no other industry has any pros
pect of being established.
The bricklayers' union is in a position
10 know how buildings are erected and
Inspected. The union, after consider
able observation. has concluded thai
building inspection should be done by
practical mechanics rather than by pro-
fesSional politicians, although the
brcklayers would not perhaps object
to seeing both qualifications combined
in one person. The union is, however,
very much in earnest, and claims that
public health and safety demand the re-
form indicated.
The president of the clerks union
says: Il recently visited several bust
ness men TO obtain their views on early
closing. They had tried the plan year,
ana my reception was in pleasing con-
trast TO the time when l first asked
their signatures to the early-clOsing
movement. At that time many of them
seemed to be anxious for me to stay as
brief time as possible. This year they
all greeted ME in most cordial manner,
and were much pleased to give their
testimonials indOrsing the early-clOsing
4mOYement."
The carpenters are vigorously push
Ing the work of organization in the hope
of Obtaining the eight-hour day this
season. AT the open meetings held this
week there was substantial increase
of membership, and committee is con-
sulting with the contractors to see upon
what basis the eight-hour day can be
arranged.
The trade and labor assembly did
some active NOrK in securing the adop
ton of the eight-hOur resolution by the
council last summer. In fact, to the
efforts or that BODY may be credited the
passage of such resolution. There
now seems to be some disposition on the
part Of the Ramsey county delegation to
construct new charter and ignore
that important clause. This is probably
only fOrgetfulness on the part of the
delegation. SO at the meeting Monday
evening thirty-three members of the
trade and labor assembly will be pres
ent TO present their individual and col
lective opinions in favor of eight hours,
The trade and labor assembly represents
more than 5000 organized men in differ
ent trades. When SO large proportion
of taxpayer are solidly in favor of the
eight-hour day on city work, their eX
preston of opinion is entitled to some
consideration. Then, too, the men,
bers of the Ramsey county delegation
would only be carrying out the wishes
of both political parties as expressed in
their platforms by inserting an eight
hour clause IN the new charter. Of
course, the question of compensation
would be fixed by the action of the
council, OF the prevailing rates in other
cities; but the trade and labor assem-
bly, is anxious to see the eight-hOur prin-
ciple Incorporated in the new charter.