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

Past Experience Has Taught the
Fire Laddies That While Unoz-
ganized They Are PowerIess-
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 fact 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
Keeling of approval and satisfaction
among the men at the movement, which
VIII thus start off with unanimous sup
port and fiattering prospects. From the
calloer OF the men in the department
their union should be one of the strong
est and most influential in the state.
thl N allnAaI rs, Oh,
planning the objects of the organization
10 the GLOBE man. said: For many
reasons we considered it advisable to
form a society which should he based
on the general lines of the trades
unions, with
The Benevolent Feature
most prominent. no man Is more like
~ to need and and assistance, at any
moment, than fireman, and Il snug
Iund Tor Sucn purpose, contributed
voluntarily by the boys, will be re-
garded with very compiacent feeling.
Further, many OF US felt that what is
eVeryb0dy'S business is nOGOdy's buSl-
ness. rms was amply demonstrated in
the legislature last winter, when the
hremen of The Twin Cities endeavOred
/ to have their Compensation raised to a
AS"O'hNCAN ii- ulVs tJuOl dtilLcu, we
were without power or influence and
our request was laughed at and denied
Inc labor organizations OF the state
nave secured the passage of man.
measures they favored. Next time we
VIII be backed by them in our efforts
and the politicians Will pay more al
tentlOn to our claims.
Recently the fire department has
been singled out for reduction. and Our
already small salaries were sliced. We
nave promise that the amount held
out Will be returned. Now we want to
be Ill a position 10 insist that this prom
lSe shall be redeemed when the time
comes. Without some sort of organiZa-
ton and an accredited committee 10
represent us, WE might be given cava-
Iier 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 suspicion
OF politics i'll the department, we will
have the same right as Other organiZa-.
tiOnS 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-
cOmpllSh nothing for ourselves i'll a hun
ured years.
The above statement can be taken as
an authentic reflex OF the general sen
llment Of the ilrenen. strike is not
contemplated at all, despite street ru-
morS. If, however. the money with
held on salaries is not forthcoming at
the time promised, the firemen's union
Will be in a position to ascertain the
reason and secure some consideration
Tor the rights OF lis members.
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