St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-08-01
A UNION OF FIREMEN.
MEMBERS or THE ST. PAUL DEPART
NEWT BAND TOGETHER.
a TALK WITH ONE OF THE MEN

Past Experience Has Taught the
Fire Laddies That While Unor-
Sanized They Are Powerless-
Some of the Aims of the New
Organization-Cut in Salaries
and Promised Restitution.
Owing to the fact that an afternooii
paper yesterday alluded to the TACT that
the men of the st. Paul fire department
have organized and affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor, one of
the members of the department has
given to the GLOBE the following par
ticulars and explanation:
The first meeting for the purpose of
organizing was held about two weeks
ago at Labor hall. Before it adjourned
permanent organization had been
completed, and steps decided on to en-
roll every man in the department who
desired to join. On account of the
benevolent and other good features of
the new organization there is little
doubt that every fireman, except posi-
bly, the chiefs, is now or will become a
member. At the second meeting, 1t is
understood, reports showed a general
feeling of approval and satisfaction
among the men at the movement, which
VIII thus start off with unanimous sup
port and fiattering prospects. From the
callber OF the men in the department
their union should be one of the strong
est and most influential in the state.
The fireman alluded to above. in ex-
planning the objects of the organization
10 the GLOBE man, said: For many
reasons we considered it advisable to
form a society which should be based
Oh the general lines of the trades
unions. with
The Benevolent Feature
most prominent. No man Is more like
ly to need and and assistance. at any
moment, than a fireman, and snug
Tund for sucn a purpose, contributed
voluntarily by the boys, will be re-
garded with very compliment feeling.
Further, many OF us felt that what is
eVerybOdy'S business is nOGOdy'S buSl-
ness. This was amply demonstrated in
the legislature last winter, when the
hremen of the Twin Cities endeavored
10 nave their Compensation raised To
reasonable figure. UnOrganiZed, we
were without power or influence and
our request was laughed at and denied.
The labor organizations OF the state
nave secured the passage of many
measures they favored. Next time we
VIII be backed by them in our efforts
and the politicians will pay more at
tentlOn to our claims.
''Recenlly the ire department has
been singled out for reduction. and our
already small salaries We're sliced. We
nave promise that the amount held
out viii be returned. Now we want to
De Ill position To- insist that this prom
lSe shall be redeemed when the time
comes. Without some sort of UrganiZa-
ton and all accredited committee 10
represent us, WE might be given cava-
Her treatment, but as an organized body.
acting along reasonable and sensible
lines. we will have public sentiment in
our favor. Beyond that, while no fire
man would Xix to see even a Suspicion
OF politics i'll the department, we Will
nave the same right as other OrganiZa-
lions to make our desires respected
by our votes. Collectively we Shall
help our friends and work for our
interests, anu we hope to achieve good.
Acting individually, and at cross pur-
poses. as III the past, we would ac-
cUmplish nothing for ourselves i'll a hun
urtd years"
The above statement can be taken as
an authentic reflex OF the general SEN
lllnent Of the hremen. y strike is not
contemplated at all, despite street ru-
morS. If, however, the money with
held OH salaries is not forthcoming at
the time promised, the firemen's union
VIII be IN a position to ascertain tie
reason ana secure some consideration
TOr the rights OF lis members.