The San Francisco call., 1896-06-09

Fifty representatives of the broom
making industry of this City have pre-
pared the following eloquent appeal, which
they have sent TO Labor Commissioner
Fitzgerald:
To the Hon. r. II. Fitzgerald, Commissioner of
Labor for the State of CatifOrnid-DEAR SIR: We,
the humble petitioners, laborers in the
broom making art beg OF you TO allot some of
your valuable time in the interests OF those oc-
cupied in the above-named art; to investigate
its condition, and in the interest of many
hon est American citizens in general ana Cali
torn1ans IN particular, free laborers, men and
boys.
Matters in this honest occupation are COM
ing to where just and honest help is ne eded
and as soon as possible, for if omething is not
done soon we are suffering now, but shortly
we all Will be thrown out in the colo without
a chance to earn an honest living for ourselves
and our families; All that will be left to US is
the cold help of common charity, which we
diSdaln while full OF strength and the vigor of
American manhood. What else but the above
will be left to US If we are robbed of our rights
to do an honest days work for our support ex-
cept the road to the poo-house? or for our
younger mates except the road to the peni-
tentiary? or to be shot by the Government
forces II we dare to cry for justice and bread?
Therefore in you we lay our hope to help
and ameliorate our condition while in time to
help us, by investigating fully now the un-
happy industry for the free American citizen.
but once a very profitable one to all those who
were connected with it. This above-named in
dustry was good for all connected with it up to
two or three years since; the general depres-
sion came, and all lines of liie's pursuits suf-
fered and it with the rest but three other OBJ.
stacles caused 1t still greater loss, by forcing
1t to the ruinouS competition.
First, the com petition of prison-made goods,
shipped here; second, the local Chinese
faotories, which naturally employ their own
people, the Cinnamon; third, the last and the
worst, the State broom factory for the adult
blind.
Now to compete with the free American la
borer the prisoner does not need to worry for
his meal, for his three regular meals are pre-
pared with the same punctuality that the clock
dial goes the rounds of the twenty-four hours
This is coming to him surely, regardless as to
whether the industry In which he is occupied
is bringing profit or loss to the State that holds
him.
The second free and honest American labor
ers' competitor, who may well be termed the
American social and economical parasite, II
the Chinaman. Are we to hope to compe te
with him. who can live for cents a day in
this land OF plenty? Further comments are
useless in this case.
The third competitor, the adult blind, and
the hardest, because in the midst OF our
homes and fostered by the very State which
should watch safe our honest chance for an
honest living. Here do not misconstrue our
good intention and good feeling toward our
more unfortunate brother, the blind, whom
nature has robbed of one of the most needed
faculties to man. No; because we are senS1 Die
70 the necessity that society should care FOL
them; yet the State should not do so by fore
ing them to ruin the chance of living of those
who would gladly help with their own labor
to sustain them in the comforts of life, which
fact is actually being done now.
Shall we strike against our employers? Such
would be of no use, as they are in no better
condition than ourselves, for they would he
willing to give work, but through the cause
described they lose sales and therefore loss
to the leborer. In the face of all these OBJ
stacles they cannot be expected TO keep ing
their capital simply to give the laborer en-
ployment When loss is created by the state
the reverse with the individual If his capita
is lost the State will not reimburse him as il
does its own factory. Therefore all we car
hope for is to reduce the number of the EN-
ployed which has been increase ed for the whole
of last year until we are all thrown out o.
work.
We, therefore, pray you to investigate those
three very destructive channels to the free
American laborer, and do all that lies in your
power TO ameliorate our cause.
To this petition is appended fifty names
In connection with the petition is sub.
mitted an article which appeared in THF
CALL May u. giving the formation OF the
increased output from the State Asylum
of the Blind or manufactured brooms.
Beneath this is written the following:
! AS by the. above item their glorious and
boasted increase of output is our unfortunate
loss our humble petition is proved to be correct
/ Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the serious
! ness of this matter was not overdrawn by
! the petitioners, and that he would accord
! it full investigation and take such steps
| to ameliorate the hard condition of the
! broom workers as lay within his power.