The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1895-07-18
BRASS MILL STRIKE.
EIGHTY MEN OUT ON A QUES-
TON OF WAGES.
ALL PEACEABLE AND QUIET
They Parade the Streets and Appoint
Committees to Settle the Matter if
Possible will visit the Bust
SIS Mems Association
ALL PEACEABLE AND QUIET
(From Tuesdays Daily.)

There was strike at the brass mill
this morning involving eighty men
The first intimation that the public
had that there had been any trouble at
the brass mill came in the form of a
procession of siXty-four Of the men par
aiding down through Main street at
about s o'clock this forenoon. They
were all dressed in their regular work
ing clothes, many Of them with their
sleeves still rolled up and others with
their dinner pals in hand. They par
AIDED in a thoroughly peaceable and
orderly manner, dressed up in double
column with three men at the head.
There was no leadership nor demon
strations. Here and there one would
answer a question from ISLANDERS by
concerning the object of the parade.
Otherwise there was no remark or
noise.
The men decided to quit the first
thing this morning. They congregated
around the office of the brass mill and
when Supt. c. N. Frost appeared they
told him they could not work any long
er for the wages they were getting.
Mr.. Frost told them that he did not
know how the matter could be rene
died, that if it was within his power he
would gladly grant raise of wages.
He did not see, however, how it could
be done. The men replied that they
did not see how they could live and pay
expenses on $1.10 per day and support
their families as they were obliged to
do Mr.. Frost then sent them away.
They left the brass mill and formed
their procession. They came imme-
diately to Main street, went north to
the tannery, turned west on Grand
avenue, south on Ann street, west On
Rock street to the Northwestern depot,
south along the platform and West
Main street, east on Prairie avenue,
south on West street and broke ranks
in the old Balm orchard.
Here the men halted for moment,
and began the discussion of "What
shall be done about it 2" Some spokes-
man in the crowd called for committee
of four to consist of one of each nation
atty represented in the crowd, to call
on the Chicago Brass company to see
what answer the company would give
| to their request. Counsels of peace
were plentiful and Cancellation was the
thought kept uppermost throughout.
"Let US keep perfectly peaceable, !"
was remark often repeated. The re-
quest for a committee was soon second
ed, and the men selected of their num-
| Der Peter Petersen, William Peterson,
John O'Hare and William Brick.
There was one Dane, one SWede, one
German an6 one Irishman in this COM
mittee.
The committee Immediately started
toward the Office of the company.
They were accompanied by two news
paper men, a representative of this
paper and Fl. W. Marden, of the Ifade-
pendent. At the Office Mr.. O'Hare
acted as spokesman. He met Mr..
futile and remarked to him that these
men were selected as committee to
wait ON the company to see what could
be done in the matter of wages.
ave feel" said Mr.. O'Hare, +" that
we have suffered long enough under
these low wages, and we don't see how
we can remain any longer in your en-
ploy unless we are gwen wages enough
to support our families on"
You understand, of course" re-
marked Mr.. TuttlA, I" that this is not
the way to get at this thing. We ex-
pect to run our own business. We are
paying you just as high wages as any
other factories in the same lines Of
business in the country, and you have
been given steady employment, haven't
youg"
" Yes, we have been having steady
work." replied Mr.. O'Hare, +" but we
wish to differ with you on the question
of paying. the same wages other factor
les do. We hear of raises in wages
every day in the newspapers, and we
believe this company can afford more. !"
Let's see," rejoined Mr.. Tuttle,
I'VE pay Ii cents for copper in the
original now. We must put it on the
market at Iii cents. There is no
money in that, is thereg We can't
control the market. If I had been
here this morning ] should not have
sent you away, but now you have left
our employ. didn't know there was
any dissatisfaction among you"
The reporter for this paper took Mr..
Frost aside and questioned him con-
corning conditions at the factory. In
reply to these questions Mr.. Frost said
that these men were all day laborers.
None of them were of the skilled help.
| They work in the rolling department.