The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-24
PINGREE ON HIS STRIKE.
Says the Trusts are Running Business
and the Gov rnment

Detroit, Mich, Aug 24.-In the histo-
ry of Detroit labor troubles there has
been no more curious situation than ex-
lists today in Governor Pingree's shoe
factory.
His striking workers say that for
years he has been a professional frieno
of the people," and the most vociferous
if not the most potent, advocate of the
cause of the workingmen in the whole
state. AS the champion of wage-earn-
ers, they say, he has become known TO
every household in this state and to
nearly every one in the country al
large The men declare that, as the
leader and idol Of those who work for
other people. his place should be at the
head of his striking workmen and
against the shoe corporation of which
he is a member.
The strikers themselves occupy po-
sition fully as novel as that they ac-
cord TO the governor. In the employ of
a man whom they have called their
best friend, who ever since he became
their friend has arbitrated all his diff
radical a position as the most DOWN
trodden and abused community OF
workmen could possibly assume. They
have refused all arbitration and simply
refuse to go to work until the price they
ask is paid.
Governor Pingree when questioned as
to the merits of the strike replied in his
usually characteristic manner:
"This strike in my shoe factory is just
an effort on the part of the men to get
in early on this prosperity that is re-
turning. There is race on between
them and the leather trust. Leather has
gone up and now wages are going up,
too. The poor manufacturer is between
two combinat tions and they have al
ready squeezed him out of all his profits
and now they are after his capital:
Really, have nothing to do with the
ton with the manufacturing end of the
concern for 25 years. l have managed
the buying and selling department. The
matter will be arbitrated, I expect and
settled in very short time"
But the men say they are not in it
at all on arbitration?'
"In it just as much as we are. If they
can't trust board of arbitration, what
can they trust? There is a scarcity of
hides, real scarcity. The combine, of
which Armour is the big man, has kill
ed the cattle-raising business. Shippers
found only one price, and that the low
est; only one man buying at a time at
Chicago, and freight so high they
couldn't go back, SO they just had to
quit business. Leather has gone up,and
Armour has built a church and an in
stitute and come to be one of our
statesmen.
1.-THE people haven't been able to- buy
our shoes for the last three years; they
have been too high-priced for them. One
Rochester man met the situation by
closing down for year. Others have
gone to the wall. In the east lot of
manufacturers have moved their fac
tories to small towns, where their work.
men take very small wages and run
farms on the side to make a living.
New England is full of shoemakers who
work at other occupations, and when
things get too hot. for a man at one
place he goes to another and takes a
new start. They pay no attention to
the union scale.
"Our goods bear the union label, but
workingmen pay no attention to that
fact in buying shoes; they go for the
cheapest. have seen Is firms give up
manufacturing shoes in Detroit. 1t is
easier to do business where other man
ufactories are, as the men know what
others are getting and are better con-
tented. How can we pay more than 9TH
ers and stay in business? In the east
they are very quick to see an improve
| ment in western markets; wheat goes
up and combinations raise their prices
at once to correspond
1--WE must call these men in trusts
| Statesmen hereafter. They furnish the
campaign funds and run the govern
ment. They have also knocked the law
| of supply and demand clear out of their
| business. 1t doesn't touch them any
where. Statesmen is the only word for
| them.'