The morning times., 1895-07-11
American LauHdrpnan Would
Drive the CGIestiaIs Out.
INFERIOR WORK: LOW RATES
The Leading Firms May Join the
knights of Labor and Strike an
Organized Lick at the Ptgtails.
Interviews with the Employers
Who Employ Christians.

Strong sentiment against the Chinese
half "washee washee'' and half opium
smoking joints was developed yesterday by
the story in The Times exclusively OF the
agitation started by the steam Iaundrymen
to drive the CcleStials out of the business.
During yesterday afternoon a represent
ative OF the knights OF Labor called on a
number of laundrymen with a view OF iu-
ducing them to organize and become mem
bers OF the knights of Labor.
Mt W H. Dexter, of the Dexter laundry.
is much exercised over the matter and
thinks it is time for Americans TO come
to the assistance OF Americans. and by not
patronizing the Chinese and cheap, cut
rates laundries, drive them out Of the
business.
NO REDUCTION OF WAGES
Interviews with some of the leading firms
were obtained yesterday, and it was stated
generally that in case there should be any
great falling off in their patronage it
viii not be met by reduction of the wages
of the employees As long as they can stand
it they VIII, and when compelled by force
of circumstances to make any changes it
will be reduction in the force employed,
and not a reduction of wages.
in a steam laundry is forty, most of whom
are women and girls. The wages range all
the way from 81 per week for green
hands" to SO for the experienced labor
ers. AT present the forces are reduced to
the usual number employed dnrinG the
summer months In the fall the force is
increased again, and then u preference is
given 10 the hands which were land Off in
the summer
1T is not for uS'to say at this time what
shall be DONE said one of the steam
iaundrymen; lit must Test with the public
whether we must discharge our employees
and 90 out OF tie business We have no
fear, however, of any such thing happening.
for we are all agreed that the class or peO-
pie who patronize the steam VIII never go
to the Chinese laundTies-"
AN UNBROKEN FRONT
Mr.. James 4. Korft, proprietor OF the
Boston steam IauEdvry, was absent from
the city, but his manager spoke for him and
said they were not afraid OF losing any
business on account of the Chinese cut rates.
They employ from thirty to forty hands.
which are paid the same wages as a z other
laundries. ard TINS force viii be retained at
full wages as long as the business is ear
ried on.
Mrs NJ A. Weaver, of tie Capitol laun-
dry, has no fear of 1oOsing her patronage.
ror viii the wages OF the employees be re-
duced
Mr.. F. H. Walker, proprietor of the Yale
laundry, said he feared TO trouble whatever.
It is not the cheapnCss but the quality Of
the work that draws custom and retains it
and for this reason the steam laundries do
not worry.
Mr.. James p. Tolman, manager of the Toll
man Steam Laundry. said: The class Of
people who pGtroniZc Us VIII never 20 to
Chinese laundry. If the people are not able
to pay our prices let them give their laundry
to the colored wash women, there are
plenty of them. deserving OF the work, for
they belong here with us and spend their
money here. The Chinese are rot. how
ever, the whole cause of the trouble; there
;ara others who cut rates just about as
often as the Chinese"
\ few of the Chinese IaIndrymcn were
seen, but they disclaimed al knowledge Of
any connection with the combine. One said
a thing of the kind was not BeCessary for
they all changed their prices about once a
week