The San Francisco call., 1895-12-22

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some of the larger breweries in thecombine
could stand such loss the smaller brew
erles would go to the wall, pool or no pool.
At last the conservative element prevailed,
and Mr.. Fredericks' motion was laid upon
the table until special committee could
investigate the charges more thoroughly.
That committee is still at work, and, from
what can be learned, it has obtained in
formation that, to say the least, does not
dlsprove the charges against the accused
breweries.
Meanwhile several of the other brewers
did little detective work on their own
hook, and their success may be judged by
the following incident: Word was re-
ceived that the California Brewery had
been selling to a Third-street saloon
keeper for SO 80 for six months. A brewer
went to the saloon-keeper and seeing the
California beer made the following bid as
a test:
If you will handle my beer exclusively
I'll sell for So SO barrel"
"Much obliged, but would not gain
anything by making the change" an
swered the oon-keeper.
III give you beer at that price on a six
months contract" persisted the brewer,
but the saloon man shook his head.
How is it that you do not want such
bargain, when you can get beer at 81 so
per barrel less than the regular rates and
q six months contract" asked the brewer.
II would not make anything by the
change" repeated the saloon-keeper. The
brewer went away firmly convinced that
be had not gone low enough to undersell
the California Brewery. He so reported to
several other brewers.
Another brewer recently lost good Gus
toner, and when he asked the reason was
plainly told: when you will sell beer
for the price 1 pay for it will be willing
to do business with YOU"
All of these and many similar expert
ences have convinced the members of the
association that the treachery is within
the fold. There are within the association
several breweries whose faithfulness to the
association cannot be questioned, and the
managers and agents OF these have care
fully gone over the field of patronage of
the Cooperative, st. Louis and other
breweries not in the association and found
that they are not selling below the estab-
hshed price. Foremost in looking into
these troubles is Charles B. Stone, man.
ager of the Syndicate breweries. A we'll
known brewer said of Mr. Stone that he
has proved the most honorable business
rival in maintaining prices of any in this
locality. and yet he is ready at moments
notice to cut the price Of beer to 1 cent
quart, to crush out or attempt TO underseu
on the part of others.
In speaking of the situation several we'll
known brewers stated that it means Bit
ter beer war and fight. They believe that
when the associations committee makes
its report the motion made by Mr.. Fred
ericks will prevail and cut to 81 per bar
rel be made in order to discipline those
who have violated the association rules
and updersold the others. There is no
doubt, according to their belief, but when
such an action is taken it viii ba the me ans
of breaking the back of the pool. Ii such
%ol- l. I-
10 break and make general scramble for
business by cut-thrOat methods. Then
the people will drink cheap beer and lots
of it.
There is still another feature in this
light that has not appeared on the surface
so plainly as the others mentioned. 1t is
where the hand of the Brewery Workmen's
Union has been at work. Some time ago
the union had quarrel with the managers
OF the Jackson and National breweries and
boycott was placed on the product by all
the trades union people in this locality.
That their business fell off more or less
goes without saying, and further. as may
be supposed. these breweries were stanch
supporters Of the associa ton, which helped
to make good their loss by the boycott.
J prominent member of the Brewery
Workmen's Union told the following story
of how the union helped to start the war.
The union men learned that certain
breweries were underselling their beer
and as these breweries were not unfavor-
ably disposed to the union the unions
started a few of patronage toward those
breweries. The union men became con-
vinced that while boycott was held on
any brewery in the association all the
brewers would be held together, even
though they knew that certain of
t,eir number were cutting in, prices.
Three weeks ago, much to the sur
prise of the managers of the asso-
citation breweries, the boycott on the Ma
tional and Jackson breweries was raised
and the trades union men were given the
privilege OF consuming the products of
these two institutions.
The result was Just what was anticipated.
The association, not having common
enemy to contend with, undertook to
straighten out its internal difficulties. The
pent up wrath held SO long in the breasts
OF those who maintained a regular price
against those who had sold or been
accused of selling below prices was given
vent to in the spirit breathed in Mr.. Fred
ericks' resolution. The circus has only be-
gan and the union brewery men are stand
ing by watching the performance with
keen interest. The question may be asked,
What benefit Will the fight be to them p?
1t is this. In such contest some one is
going to get the worst of it. Those most
injured will not hesitate to accept aid from
any source. at this point the brewery
workmen will go forward, supported by
the entire labor union element OF the City,
and promise support in return for recog.
milton of the Brewery Workmen's and
other unions. One or two breweries could
take up the majority of the brewery work
men who have been blacklisted for
so long and thus the standing of the
union be re-established among the brew
cries.
The beer drinkers of Oakland and Ala
media County need not look to San Fran
cisco with feeling of jealousy, for they, too,
will soon reap the benefit of beer war.
In Oakland, however, the fight is along a
different line to certain extent. In the
city of oaks the San Francisco Breweries
fIimited) controls four breweries, two of
which are in operation most all OF the
time. The protecting arm of the Brewers
Protective Association is also extended
over Alameda County. Some time ago
Charles Kramer established the Anchor
Brewery and entered the association. 1t
was said that he cut the price of beer be-
low s. per barrel, and be was cast out of
the association. The Washington and the
New American and Independent breweries
entered the field, and it is stated that they
had some sort of an understanding with
Il