The morning call., 1892-06-29
BREWERS And BREWERYMEN
The Investigation Into Their
Troubles Continued.
Thurman Consumes the Whole of Yesterday
in His Testimony-He States Why Boy
colts and Assessments We're Levied

At the morning session of the investiga-
ton into the brewers troubles, held before
Labor Commissioner Waits yesterday, AL
fred Thurman, secretary of the Brewery
Workmen's Union, who was the witness on
the stand at the close of Fridays session.
resumed his testimony. and at its conclusion
was cross-examined by George c. Williams.
who represents the brewery prOpretors.
Mr.. Thurman read from circular issued
by the Brewers Protective Association in
1888, which he claimed was Of decidedly
boycott character.
Mr.. Williams objected to the circular be-
ing received as evidence, and was sustained
by Commissioner Waits.
Witness being questioned as to his salary,
replied that in 1887 he received S14 per
week, which had since been gradually in
creased to S25, his present remuneration.
II stated that his entire time was devoted
10 the service of the brewery woTkmen. He
also said that during the boycott Of the
National Brewery Company several work
men had been assaulted, presumably at the
iDstgati0n Of the bosses. His reason for so
stating as that the men had been warned
by their sWeethearts to avoid certain places,
as an attack upon them was contemplated
Witness stated that, SO far as he could
ascertain. the boycott against the United
States Brewery had cost its prOprietOrs the
loss of the sale Of $1,000 barrels Of beer.
FUHRMAN's REALTY.
Questioned as to his real estate possess
si0ns since his connection with the labor
movement, witness said he had sold n SLIGO
lot In Oakland and had paid S270 on $500
lot in the Excelsior Homestead In this city,
which latter property he had Telinqulshed
He said that the refusal of the coast unions
10 pay an unjust tax had caused the tenn
pOrary strained relations between that body
and the national organization. The breach
bad, however, been subsequently healed.
At the afternoon session Mr.. Williams
continued his examination Of Mr.
Thurman, who gave In detail the rules and
regulations Of the Brewery Workmen's
Union and It's attitude toward the so-calied
"Scab" union 16; also described the boy
cot against the National Brewery, which
bro ught that organization TO terms in about
So hours. with the result that none but
union men were employed. Witness de-
scribed the boycott against the United
States, Philadelphia and other brewerles
inimical TO the Brewery Workmen's Union.
Witness with two others in 1891 called
on the proprietor of the Hibernia Brewery
and earnestly requested him not to array
himself az ainst organized labor, which re-
quest was acceded to. At that time the
union had no fight against other breweTies
than the National. The 25-cent assessment,
Mr. Thurman stated, was levied not to
create war but to avoid one. lie did not
consider the brewery-dTiveTs set Of bright
men. Their work was extremely laDoTiOuS,
and being obliged fLOm exhaustion 10 drink
large quantities of beer naturally rendered
them SurlY and turbulent. Delegates from
the union went to the jackson Brewery and
asked the proprietors to induce their men
TO pay the $50 assessment; there was no
cOmpulsiOn in the matter. The syndicat e
OF breweTeS still has some non-unlon men
IN It's employ.
UNDER UNION RULES.
The only brewery In the city now work
ing under union rules is the Cooperative.
Witness knew of no non-uniOn bTeweres
up north except few small country con-
Germs In Seattle and other large towns
only union men are employed. The union,
by an extensive canvass against Eastern
beer had succeeded in nearly driving 1t out
of coast cities. Witness thought that at
least 200 union men were at present out of
employment, but the union eXeTted every
endeayor TO procure work for them. He
knew Of no case where violence WAS used
on his side TO support boycott.
Some of the union members were skilled
W0rkmen, while others were those whose
places could be filed by inexperienced men.
The revenue derived from the $50 assess
ment amounted to about $4,000 The
agreement with the United States Brewery
In 1883 WAS that none but union men should
DO employed. The agency Of the union for
the sale of Columbus beer was eventually
abandoned. 1t merely paid expenses and
was not established for profit, but merely
to supplant the bOycotted beer.
Witness stated that the employment Office
was maintained for the purpose of procur-
ing work for union men, A list was posted
showing the names of members out of
work. and tile Office was open night and
day. The Office took the place Of saloons
and clearinghouse, where the unem-
ployed men used 10 cOugregate. and wit
ness considered it great Improvement.
Witness denied that he had any personal
relations whatever with the brewery Syndi-
cate as had been rumored All the branches
of the Federated Trades In coast cities had
cO-operated with the San Francisco organ
izatI0n in endeavoring to drive out Eastern
beer. In 1888 1t required twO-thirdS vote
Of the executive committee 10 levy an as
sessment.
The assessment Of 10 cents member in
1888 was not levied TO sustain a boycott, bat
10 defray the expenses Of the national sec
rotary in attending convention. Asked if
the establishment OF union employment
office strengthens the control of the union
over its members, the witness stated there
was no question of this fact. The union had
several times requested the proprietor Of a
certain resort TO discard Eastern beer and he
had promised TO do so. but failed to keep his
word. No boycott was placed upon him,
said Mr. Thurman, 'f0r what is the use of
doing so when we know we can't win ?"
Frank Rooney, the original organizer of
the Federated Trades, being in attendance,
rose at the conclusion of Mr.. Thurman
testimony and requested to be heard, as he
understood that his name had been used in
connection with the investigation, but by
an agreement Of both sides he was requested
to defer MS statement until to-day, when he
will be given an opportunity to be heard.
The investigation was then adjourned I'M
til l 80 ;his afternoon.
PERSONAL NOTES.