The sun., 1897-12-20
FREE SHINES DEAD AND BURIED.
A Victory Won by Chicago Eewsboys and
BoetbiacLs Over shoe Dealers.

A Victory Won by ChicaEo Gewsboys and
BostblacLs Over shoe Dealers.
CHICAGO. Dec. 19-Free shoe shining has died
n Chicago, and had an imposing funeral. Free
shoe-shining in the large and small shops had
caused the bootblacks great pecuniary loss and
also great deal Of worry. Their struggle for
what they called simple justice" was waged
fercely for number of months before victory
crowned their efforts.
The first stores to offer their customers free
shines were those in which cheap shoes pre-.
dominated. With every pair Of Smiths indie
structible shoes the dealer would present to the
each heal Calling res ss' Rine In
short time there was not department store or
noy is o%n and give away from
fifty cents worth to dollars worth Of free
shines with each purchase. While this system
gave employ yment to a number OF boys and men.
1t cut into the business OF the regular bootblacks
The newsboys and bootblacks have banded
boys and Bootblacks' Beneficial Association.
For some time it was war to tho knife between
tns uaoh ia anb Ine or@v
the boys. Many merchants expressed willing.
eral assent was obtained. Then tho work
became comparatively casy. Armed with
ing shoe dealers and department store proprie-
tors: committees were organized by the boot
blacks and stoFeiiosf9re canvass was h made
shoe dealers we're induced to yield to the de.
mands made by tho bootblacks, and tho others.
although unwilling to sign any agreement, ex-
pressed themselves ms willing to abolish the un-
welcome free system. The written agreement
specified Wednesday,, Dec. Is. as the last day Of
free shines.
the boys, and It took place according to pro.
Gramme The affair was wholly unlike funeral
procession. save, for the presence of draped
bootblack's chair. carried as q float on a high
and rickcty express wagon. Torchlights, left
over from political campaigns, were common.
the dead march from saul" The Newsboys'
Band was out in force. and another
sd IN hs St Rn.' Ss nss %
was made up of such selections as - A
G T%c II the 0a n KosS
popular music hall tunes. Tho marching boys
shouted and sang themselves hoarse. and
note carrying broadcast tho tidings: "Mr.
Free Shines is dead !" There We're three di.
siSns Of the and 69GtSiIekn all
procession, which was sweIled by large dele.
cation of uniformed poriers and many OF the
boys. The boys were OF various ages and the
mud made it impossible for them 10 step out
with military precision: hut they made up in
enthusiasm what they lacked in battalion and
The conspicuous feature of the parade was
large coffin mounted upon q wagon, surrounded
by vh heksrng torches The coffin was inscribed
rF bn no hde
ognizc our future Presidents" 1.-Two and let
liye." and similar mottoes. All along the line
OF march were crowds who looked and
smiled rs the enthusiastic boys passed by. and
many q shout and cheer was given in answer to
the cries OF tho paraders.
Every shoe store between the river on the
north. Van Buren, street on the SOUTH and
Franklin street and the lake, east and west has
entered into an agreement which is to hold
good as long as no other stores come in with
free stands. To prevent. future inyasions OF
their rights will be the chief object of the News
boys and Bootblacks' Union, and a dligent
watch will be kept for stores trying to break in
with free stands.