The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-21
THE BLUE LABEL.
Cigarmakers' Business Agent Here
In the Interest of the Union
md Home Industry.

There was an enthusia site meeting of the
Western Central Labor Union last night IN
the union hall. Occidental block. the inter-
est OF the occasion being much heightened
by the presence and words OF Michael Ra-
phaei, OF New York business agent OF the
United Cigarmskers OF New York and
vicinity. Mr. Raphael has been in Seattle
for several days, engaged In vigorous
canvass among cigar dealers In favor or
homemade. or rather union made, cigars.
II find the dealers In this in the main well
disposed toward this movement" said Mr..
Raphaes last night 70 a reporter. though
there fl a tendency among some OF them 10
hang back In order TO see what action
other dealers viii take. The crusade which
We are now making against the purchase
and use OF tenement-made cigars is meet
ing with signal success. II is so easy to
demonstrate the fact that cigars made in
the mids; OF unhealthful surroundings
are themselves unwholesome. that our task
of convincing dealers Is comparatively
easy. We have an accurate list OF the
brands Of these disease-breeding cigars,
and we do not hesitate 10 let others see
the list
Il am glad TO know that there is a gen.
eraI public sentiment in Seattle in favor Of
home industries OF all kinds. and ] have
everywhere made the movement for union
cigars a part OF the broader movement"
resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The Western Central Labor
Union OF Seattle. knowing that large guam
titles OF cigars are consumed in this city
made in New York tenement houses or
produced by child labor. and that in many
of the adjacent towns Chinese-made cigars
enter the market. 10 the detrimenJ of fairy
paid union labor and displacement OF adult
cigRrmakers. and
whereas, Cigars made in tenement
houses are a source OF danger TO the con-
sumer, produced under unsanitary con-
ditlons. the poisonous odors Of the cramped
apartments being absorbed by the tobacco.
watch is made up into cigars. thus breeding
disease and making II dangerous 10 the
consumer as well as the producer while
70 obtain work. families are compelled TO
hire two or three rooms in a building
Were from twenty 10 fifty families are
competed TO pay lexoroltaut rents 10 the
employer. and the employees work. eat,
drink and sleep IN these eramped quarters.
and children from 8 years % age are
pressed into service, thus making IL i'm
possible for them 20 attend school, which
not only dwarfs them physically, but also
makes OF them mental wrecks.
Whereas. In ncn-unicu factories the
wages paid are az the minimum that would
not average s. Per week. the system
OF work Is such that no head OF a family
coHld support them and Wa believe tnat
these condiaou.s tend so degrade American
labor. and Will eventually pauperize an
industrious element o. cigarmakers. that
can only be avertcI by a general recog-
milton CT union goods: be It therefore
Resolved. That the Western Central
Labor Union % Seattle does hereby recon-
mend SO al affiliated unions 20 take such
action as Vii compel the recognition OF the
blue label OF the olga makers Intcrna-
iionAl Union. ans % see wasn making rur-
chssss tn any store where cigars are SOD
that he blue label IS % every box; be i
further
Resolved That this union appo5n,
special committee 20 see dealers and In
duce them 20 use the union label and recog-
rize home Industry. be * further
Resolved. That a copy OF these resoIu-
lions Doe forwarded - the press Tor pub.i-
co.ion, ana that q copy 81 the same be for
war1ed to all dealers in cigars"
Mt Raphael made ar interesting address
In support q the resolution. ard spent a
while iu pleasant conversation wi,a some
of the leading members q zoe union lie
leaves ac noon today for Portland. whence
he goes t3 Sacramento and ether California
ctiss-