The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-17
LEFT THE CITY.
Shoe Manufacturers Driven East
by Strikes.
First Convention of New Labor Party-Dry-
Goods Mems Associations Unite
for Protection.

Lewis burr closed down his boot and
shoe factory on Stevenson street on the TIN
inst. and already the extensive plant has
been transferred to Burlington, vt. The
factory had occupied the building extend
ing from SO to 45 Stevenson street for two
years and previous to the establishment of
the industry there Mr.. MUIR was engaged
in the business here for twelve years. The
removal OF the mandatory to the East
means the transfer of about $500 capital
the throwing out of employment of $50
persons and loss to the laboring class of
wages aggregating nearly $1,000 a month.
Joseph MUIR. member of the firm, stated
last night that the fectory had been removed
across the continent because the proprietors
proposed in future to run their business to
suit themselves, and not at the dictaton of
labor unions. He said that they had been
greatly harassed by labor organizations and
the business hampered and retarded by re-
cent strikes ordered by the Boot and Shoe
Makers White Labor League. sour firm"
said he, twill still retain an office in this
city, but the plant has already been trans
ferred to Burlington, vt, and our factory
is now in operation there. We had in
tended to enlarge our business here and
employ great many more men, but
our recent troubles with the labor
unions caused US to change our minds
Again we were offered acknowledgements to
start up the mandatory in Burlington.
We were given the use of a large building
for five years and exempted from rent and
taxation during that time. More than this,
the cost of the transportation Of the plant
was also paid. All these privileges and in
ducements amount to bonus of about
$4,000. On the Pacific Coast $4,000, O00
worth OF boots and shoes are sold annually,
and it is peculiar fact that only s., 900, 900
worth are manufactured on the Coast, the
remainder being imported from the East.
General Secretary Sullivan of the Boot
and Shoe-makers' White Labor League
smiled bitterly when Questioned about
Murr's departure.
"Yes, it's true" he said, "Murr has gone !;
''but he hasnot gone on account of the strike.
At the close of the last trouble i'll his shop
he made the following agreement with us.
which shows he aid not suffer more than
any other shoe manufacturer here:
SAN FRANCISCO, February 4, 1891.
To the Boot and Shoe Makers White Labor
Led0ue-GENTLEMEN VIII take buck tbs
striking men and girls under the following terms:
Wages to remain as prior to January !, SOL,
Scs n rne leasus sows me ,e psvege 10
standard price OF any TWO factories may name
TX. N. and e. s. n. b.
The league TO recognize my right OF employing
or discharglng at my own discretion hereafter,
providing have good aud sufficient cause.
L nave no objection 10 employees becoming
members of he league, but in no wise to make
me responsible Tor their refusal TO do So
MIR. w. j. Cole to pay Twelve months dues In
advance and not to participate IN councils OF the
league. Yours respectfully. LEWIS MUIR,
(per Joseph MUIR, attorney la fact).
when the last strike at Buckingham g.
Hecht's occurred" continued Sullivan, 1--WE
assessed all the members of our union ac-
cording to our wages, and we found that
Murr's were receiving less than any other.
He is going East because he never could
make the business pay in this city. and be-
cause the city OF Burlington has offered him
a bonus Of $4,000 and labor is cheap in
that section"
1t is reported that another of the largest
shoe factories in the city is about to pull
up stakes and depart for the land of cheap
labor.
The Boot and Shoe Makers White Labor
League will call upon the State Board Of
Arbitration to-day to settle its dispute with
the firm of Buckingham d Hecht