The herald., 1894-07-15
Harsh Action by the the Presi-
dent of the NewsbOys' Home.
The Boys Told They Could Quit
Their Union or Else the Home.
Tho Alternative Given the Little Fell
Iows-Why the Opera of Msritans
Was Not q Huccess-whst
the Boys Say.

deavor to have &c many OF the boys az
possible turned out into the street with
out home. though one is provided for
them by the charitable people of the
city, irrespective of any desire to dictate
to the little fellows what papers they
shall sell.
This last petty piece of work is in per.
feet accord with the well-known bull.
doing tactics and littleness OF mind
usually displayed by the editor of the
Times toward those whom he f1atters
himself are unfortunate enough to be in
his power. Not willing to stand up and
make fair fight, be has brought certain
influence to bear upon the little boys to
compel them to break loose from their
union and soil his sheet, and that inau-
ence is nothing less than the aid OF the
managers of the news and working-boya'
home. which is on Ducommun street.
The newsboys are, forsootn, not to be
allowed to decide what papers they will
sell. but must deal in the Times or be
kicked out into the street. So does al
legged philanthropy lend it's aid to the
small spitefulness OF vindictive man.
The Newsboys' union has been in or.
ganization for about a week. 1t is COM
posed OF virtually every newsboy in this
city, all having pledged themselves not
to sell any paper employing non-union
labor, the Times being under this head.
They went into 1t with enthusiasm
characteristic OF boys, but up to date
that enthusiasm has shown no signs of
abating, but on the contrary has become
deeper rooted among the youngsters.
They have elected officers from among
their number and will shortly be ad-
mitted to membership in the County
Council OF Labor.
Not one of these union boys will touch
a copy OF the Times under any consider
alton, except possibly to destroy it. 1t
was only last week that about seven
newsboys were arrested for having
fought several other boys who had copies
of the despised sheet. Out of this num-
ber but two were convicted OF having
disturbed the peace, sentence being sus-
pended during good behavior.
As result of this strike against sell
ing the Times scarcely single copy of
that paper can be obtained on the
streeto, and it has told heavily on its
circulation. Realizing that something
must be done, the newsboys' home was
chosen as che only possible means
through which the boys could be driven
out OF the union. Judging from appear
ances, tho board of lady managers has
loaned itself as ready and willing tool.
In the hands of Colonel OTIS OF the
Times, for shis purpose.
There are, or were before they were
ordered to leave, living at the home
about five boys who sell papers, one Of
these being young Dessie Robinett. On
last Thursday these boys were greatly
surprised to be summoned into the
parlor of the home and met by Mrs.
Finney, the president, who told them
that they would have to leave the home
if they persisted in belonging to the
Newsboys' union. The boys replied
that they would have to have time to
consider her proposition, and were
granted until yesterday in which to
decide.
Mrs. Finney went to Redondo yester-
day afternoon, go did not hear from the
boys at the home. However, they pre-.
pared statement which sets forth their
position and incidentally what steps
they will take in regard to Mrs. Finney's
alternative.
The statement from the newsboys
follows:
Owing to the demands OF Mrs. Fin
ney, president of the Newsboys' Home
association, that inmates OF the homo
must Withdraw from the Neweboys'
union or leave the home, it is the unan-
imous voice of the union that the mem
bers leave the home, as 1t is considered
q great injustice and an infringement of
our liberties to endeavor to coerce the
boys from doing what they consider is
for their good in forming a union.
We consider we are paying nearly all
our keeping is worth, and are not under
any obligations to the association, as we
paw 1.50 a week for our board.
This statement is made to the public
that they may not be deceived by de-
ceitful and unscrupulous individuals
who are endeavoring to injure our
union, d. RoBINETT, President.
WILL HARNEY, Secretary.
The exact extent to which the action
of the president was influenced by the
Times can be inferred from the fact that
Mrs. II. G. OTIS is one of the officers of
the home society.
The position taken by the officers of
the home and its want OF substantial
excuse can be judged from their state
ments to HERALD reporter.
Mrs. Fnney was seen yesterday after
noon by a HERALD representative re-
gardinp her side of the affair and gave
the following statement:
1.-The reason I told the boys what l
did was because they are greatly injur-
ing the home by belonging to the union.
The people who help to support the
home are largely against the boys form
ing that kind of an organization. They
believe in the grown men doing so but
think that it is not proper for boys to
organize themselves. They say that if
the boys can organize and take care of
themselves there is no use in supporting
the home. A large number of our
previous contributors have stopped Civ
ing entirely. Then too l opposed the
boys forming this union on general
principles"
"Nell, then, the reason you oppose
this union is because it is the cause of
the home being ruined?"
'Not altogether for that reason. do
not think as principle that it ia a good
thing for the boys to form such union,
because they do not understand what
they are doing"
This ia virtually holding that because
the boys do not think as the managers
of the home do, that they must be- turned
out on ths streets and be left without
shelter. That is certainly one kind OF
hepovolanca not hard TO 6uecfv