The morning call., 1891-01-17
FEDERATED TRADES.
Var Threatened Among the
Brewery W0rbmen.
The Council Decides to Order the National
Brewery of This City to Discharge All
Its so-Called scab" Workmen

There were many important matters
brought before the Council of Federated
Trades last night, but SO much time was
consumed in useless and protitless debate
that little was accomplished.
Credentials were received and delegates
seated as follows:
Retail Clerks Early Closing Association
James Smith, vice W. F. Gardner
Journeymen Barbers-Samuel TausSig
lIe-elected) and W. }. Lynch.
Boot and Shoe Makers League-J. d.
Nelson. vice II. }. Brown.
The Executive Committee reported that
subcommittee, consisting of Messrs. Fuhr-
nan, Valentine and Kretlow, had been ap-
pointed to confer with Mr.. Wagner of the
,Judson Iron Works with the end in view of
settling the differences between that estab-
lishment and the EmeryvilIe iron-workers.
Another sub committee, composed of
MessrS. Fuhrman, Pye, Valentine, ROx-
burg and kretow. was appointed to call on
the shoe clerks and try to induce them to
change their hour Of closing from to s. 1t
had failed utterly before that body. hence
embod ed the idea in a recommendation to
the council.
The difficulty between NJ. J. Flavin and
the retail clerks on account of the discharge
Of Il clerk for refusing TO sign late-closing
agreement was reported settled Satisfactor-
ilv \ committee, composed of Walken-
shaw aad Pye, visited Mr.. Flavin and
learned from HIM that the clerk in question
had been discharged for another cause.
The clerk himself said he did not wish TO
be reinstated, hence the matter was allowed
10 drop
THE BREWERS MIDDLE.
A communication purpOrting to have been
written by Max Burkart, Secretary of LEGAL
Union No. 10, Brewery Workmen, was re-
ceived. begging the council to withhold its
action as against the union until a fair hear
ing had been granted. 1t repeated its con-
demnation of Alfred Thurman and declared
that his corrupt use of his power was the
sole cause OF the rupture in the union and
the formation of the new one. In the inter-
est Of Justice and harmony and also in
vies OF the fact thai the union had been
duly recognized by the American Federation
Of Labor, ii was hoped that the request of
the union for a1iliaton with the council
would not be refused. With almost no dis
cussiou the communication was ordered
placed on file.
The long petition to the Legislature by
the Marin Central Labor Union, for a clause
to be inserted in the street law making the
riELt-hour labor day compulsory, was in
CDrSed 10y the council, upon the recon-
incubation Of the Legislative Committee.
The further recommendation OF the COM
uitjee that tile council send delegate to
Sacramento in the interest Of the ballot re-
form law brought down a cataract of dis
cusSion Many thought it a useless expense,
ami even II necessary in Tact, certainly
corrupt IN principle 1t looked too much
like the obnoxious lobbying that all honest
champions OF labor are opposed to. ii the
men 10 whom the measure had been in
trusted are not capable or honest enough to
see Ii safely through. IL should be allowed
t. fill and the people who sent such un-
worthy representatives TO the Legislature
should be made TO suffer.
On the other hard It was argued that
legislators are very busy and much ha-
la>>ed. ii not constantly or at least fire.
Quently impressed with the Importance of
the desired measure, they are likely t. over
look It OF lose sight Of it II was finally de-
Cided 20 send delegate to Sacramento.
PRELIMINARY TO A STATEMENT.
President Thurman. in behalf Of the
Brewery Workmen, read a report Of the
financial standing OF that organization,
which showed II TO be in a splendid cOndi-
tiun. He argued that it was all the result
ot harmonious and complete organization.
The lot of the brewery workman had been
betteTed by the union, from sixteen to
eighteen hours day and $50 a month, to
respectable hours and good living wages
These remarks by Mr.. Thurman were
only preliminary 10 the statement Of n very
serious situation. The union, he said, is
becoming too strong TO please some of the
prOprietors and the formation of Local
[ MON No. To- he firmly believed, is a con-
certpd movement on the part of certain
bosses to break up the Pacific Coast organi-
ZatOn. He declared further that the Exec
U!iye Committee Of the Brewery Workmen
lad invited the dissenters to return, and
upon their refusal they had been expelled
from the union.
Having stated the case in all its various
bearings ne wanted the council to act as it
thought best and was particularly anxious
To avoid advising any radical course lest in
case OF war the blame would be laid at his
feet.
Mr. Fuhrman's remarks precipitated the
most serious controversy that ever engaged
the attention of the council. 1t brought to
light possible if not probable combination
of some mighty outside force having for its
immediate object the disruption of the
Pacific Coast Brewery Workmen, and the
ultimate object OF dlSurganZing the labor
world Of this Coast. Many argued that the
best way TO bring the whole difficulty to a
head would be to demand the discharge of
the men.
GOOD ADVICE UNHEEDED.
But the ablest most logical and far-seeing
speech ever made on the floor of the council
vas delivered by Andrew Furuseth, delegate
from the Coast Seamen's Union, who, bv
the way, has long since earnpd the reputa-
ton OF being the intellectual heavyweight
Of that body. He said he would not argue
Tor or against the proposition. He would
simply advise that the council act upon the
good German maxim Ellie nit weie"
iIasten slowly, and exercise the utmost
precaution, no matter what course was pur-
sued.
MI Furuseth argued that surely the thir-
teen men that composed the local union
amounted to nothing. They are not worthy
Of notice even. 1t is some greater power
behind them, and the council should be care
ful not to fall into trap set by that power.
1t was surely worth while 10 consider the
serlons fact that local unions had been rec
ognized by the same national body with
which many of the unions in the council
were connected The council should stop
to think what might be the consequences If
TINS national federation demanded the rec
ignition Of Local Union No. 10 and the con-
sequent withdrawal from the council Of all
unions affiliated with it.
The council, however, was too hot
headed to be careful, and finally decided to
demand that the National Brewery order
the Local Union No. 10 members discharged.
Is THE END NEAR?
One of the Foundries Withdrawn From
In