The herald., 1895-06-11
The Sailors Union Controversy
at San Pedro
VIOLENT WAR OF CIRCULARS
An Assertion That Someole May Dance
on Nothing
Long Time Difficulty That Has Taken
New Turn-A Few OF the Pro.
nunciamento5

SAN PEDRO, June 10.-For tho last
two years there has been an incessant
warfare between the Coast Seamen S
union at this point and the Shipowners
association, as represented by Mr.. j. w.
DAVIS. OF late crews have been shipped
on non-union vessels without as much
trouble as was the case at one time. owing
to public spirit baving been aroused and
the city fathers and private citizens de-
terminirg that the law should ne obeyed,
even if they had to take hand them
selves to help enforce it.
The difficulty has now taken new
phase, and is being fought with printers
ink as the weapon. and anonymous cir
culars as the ammunition. The first cir
cular issued about ten days ago read as
follows:
"SAN PEDRO,
You pay your money and you take
your choice. Ii the disgraceful career OF
the Sailors union at San Pedro is not
suppressed and that right speedily. they
will defeat her appropriation by congress.
in fact the have seriously damaged 1T
already. | know whereof | speak and L
am surprised that the citizens OF that
town are not awake to their own interests
and compel them to desist. L have spent
too many years working for
"SAN PEDRO DEEP-SEA HARBOR.
"To be willing thus to see my work
frttel ed away without protest.
The above is a statement recently made
by DR.. J. Widney of Los Angeles and
voices the sentiments OF many other
ardent friends of San Pedro.
The weak point about this publication
is that it is anonymous. If it had been
signed by committee of reputable citi-
zens. willing to assume the responsibility
of thus throwing down the gauntlet
to the sailors union, it would have been
more effective. The result is that 3 sec
ond circular has been issued. as follows:
WARNING NO. ,
You pay your money and take your
choice.
If the disgraceful career of the sailors
union OF San Pedro is not suppressed, and
that right speedily, the citizens OF the
city will try little hemp upon them,
and let them dance upon nothing.
By their acts they will defeat her ap-
preparation by congress. In fact, they
have seriously damaged it already.
| am glad that the citizens have at last
organized a committee of safety against
the labor unions of San Pedro, and against
the sailors union in particular. AS a
member Of that committee, hereby no.
tify all labor organizations OF San Pedro
that we are watching them and their
will sprng the trap we have set for them.
Now the friends OF Dir. Widney and the
opponents of the methods of the sailors
union. deny any knowledge OF the second
circular. whilst the friends OF the union
claim that circular No. emanates from
the same source as circular No. l, and
very pretty row is the result. and it is
quite PROBABLE the whole matter will be
ventilated i the courts OF law. One very
regrettable incident occurred in connec-
ton with the first circular. Covering the
back of one OF them with very scurrilous
and obscene language, directed at him,
some one mailed copy to Dr. Widney.
The doctor Las been too long a tried and
consistent friend to San Pedro harbor for
any loyal citizen to make such base
attack upon him, and the enemies o. the
union do not hesitate to state that it en-
anated from their ranks. Further devel-
opments will occur III the very near flu
ture, which will be watched with inter-
est by all concerned.