The San Francisco call., 1896-06-12
Say the Company Has a Right
to Discharge Whom 1t
PleaSeS.
TO FORM A HACKMEN's UNION.
All the Drivers in the City Banded
Together to Strike for Higher
Wages.

The strike of the hackmen against the
Pacific Carriage Company is off. The
men have gained decided victory, but it
has been at the self-sacriice of the three
principals in the movement. These men
are William Shrewsbury, Charles E. Eds
berg and George H. Allen.
The company after the interview with
Mr.. Su r, representing the three under
taking firms, on Tuesday night, agreed to
take all the men back excepting these
three at the original wage rate of 81 so per
day
The men, however, were not satisfied
with this arrangement and determined to
remain out until their three leaders were
re1nstalIed. Matters continued thus until
yesterday afternoon. The undertaking
firms, McGinn Brothers, Porter & Co. and
the firm of which Mr.. Suhr is at the head
remained solid with the men, pledging
themselves to withdraw their patronage
from the Pacific Carriage Company until
the three were given their old positions.
Had it not been for the remarkable self
sa crifce of these same leaders the strike
would have undoubtedly continued in full
force until the carriage company had ac-
cepted the mems terms. But yesterday
Shrewsbury, Allen and Edsberg talked the
matter over and came to the conclusion
that rather than keep the fifteen or six
teen men who stood with them from OBJ
tanning employment they would give up
the fight and concede TO the company the
right to discharge what men it chose.
AS soon as they made known this reso-
luton to the other men the strike was de-
clared off and all but the three went back
to work.
Last night all the carriages were running
the same as usual, and everything was Sc
rene in the vicinity of the stables.
George 81. Allen said last evening, rep
resentIng the three men who had drawn
out from the strike:
''It was only on account of the other
men that we made up our minds to do this
thing. We were told by Al White of Por
ter & Co. s undertaking firm to-day tnat the
undertakers were still with us, and
that they would withhold their pat
ronage as long. as We held out
We told him of our intention and
SAID we did not think it was the fair
thing to the undertakers or the other men
to stay out simply on account of grudge
to the company. He said, we will engage
their hacks then, but if they send is one
of the five scab drivers, we will simply not
take the hacks they drive
"This movement has been productive Of
something" continued Mr.. Allen, "that
drivers in the City. We have on hand
now the starting of movement that will
include all the hackmen of San Francisco
in a union known as the 'Hackmen's 8
Union
The object of this will be to petition
and receive wage of 81 per day, with an
exemption from broken springs and break
ages of all kinds on the wagon.
This movement las gained great head
way already and | prophesy that within
one month we will havesconsummated our
end. We will circulate petition among
all the riding patrons, and ii we get the
encouragement we expect the thing will
be insured.
II am authorized to say that the hack
men extend their thanks to the press, the
, undertakers and the riding public for the
sympathy that has been offered them and
the assistance that has been given them
in this strike"