Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-09-17
LABOR NEWS.
Meeting TO Meet William c. POmeroy
What Is Transpiring in Labor Cir
cles Here and Elsewhere.

events of the year in local labor circles
was the open meeting and reception of
the Bartenders' Union Monday evening,
the main purpose of which was to hear
and entertain Mr.. w. c. Pomeroy, of
Chicago, and a number of prominent
local labor men.
Mr.. Pomeroy, who is the Vice Presi-
dent of the national body, is visiting vari-
Gus cities in this and adjoining States for
the purpose of organizing local unions
and increasing the membership.
President De Souchet presided over the
business portion of the meeting and in
troduced the national officer to the men,
bers and visitors in a few we'll chosen
words. Mr.. Pomeroy prefaced his re-
marks with a brief explanation of the
workings of the unions in Chicago, and
referred to the remarkable growth of the
barkeepers' association. He said that
while two years ago there was only one
local union in the country, there are now
l01. The order is now growing more
rapidly than ever before. He said and
predicted that it will ultimately have the
largest membership of any of the national
labor bodies. Among the good things he
had to tell the Louisville people was the
fact that the Waukesha Water Company
had agreed to build a home for the aged
and infrm members of the Bartenders'
Union at Waukesha at cost of $40, 600
aud to donate q carfain Nor caufaua Of ;to
profits to the maintenance of the institu-
ton. The conditions were most favor
able and the proposition will doubtless be
accepted by the national convention,
which meets at Syracuse next July.
After Mr.. Pomeroy had finished, Col.
John Whallen was called upon and made
speech that created the greatest EN-
thusiasm. Among other things, he stated
that he always had the best wishes for
organized labor and he wanted only union
men in his employ. He also said that he
would have the union sign hung in his
house the next evening.
The social part of the session was pre-
sided over by Alderman Knecht, who
also acted as POSTMASTER That he filled
the position in a most pleasing and ac-
ceptable manner is attested by all of the
large number present.
The hit of the evening was made by
Mike Hickey, of the Paradise, who assured
the members that, while Col. Whallen
would have the union sign up the next
evening" he would not wait that long,
but would have his in place in the morn
ing.
Councilmen Graft and Reiss were here
called upon and made addresses that were
greatly appreciated.
Mr.. John Ropke also made humorous
address, which kept all in the best of
spirits. There were remarks of an inter-
esting and instructive nature made by
James McGill of the Central Labor Union,
and number of other speakers.
In the meantime refreshments, Roman
punch and cigars had been served with
the greatest liberality, and at a late hour
the meeting adjourned, all being loud in
the praise of the Barkeepers' Union and
their generous hospitality.
Messrs. William NJ. Higgins and Ed
ward p. Owen are making the necessary
arrangements for their trip to Syracuse,
N. ", where they will represent the
printers of Louisville.
The strike statistics of Germany for
the year 1897 show that SO, 1l9 working
men were involved in SIS strikes. OF
these $50 were won by the workingmen
and 248 by the employers. The number
of strikers that were completely success
full was 273. Those that were partially
successful numbered l46.
The sixth biennial convention of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
opened in Toronto, Ont, Monday.
There were some 500 delegates present
at the opening, and 200 more arrived
during the day. There were / 800 dele
gates and visitors in the city. The con-
vention will be in session until Wednes-
day or Thursday of next week.
The weavers of Borden City Mass }
Cotton Mills Nos. | and 2 have been
compelled to strike against reduction of
wages. The weavers of the No. mill
have been on strike for three weeks for
the same cause. Ike strikers number
between 600 and 700. Work in the weav-
ing departments of the three mills has
been suspended. The spinners and card
ers are likely to leave work in support of
the weavers.
Mrs. Florence Kelley, of Hull House,
Chicago, is probably as we'll posted on
sweatshops as any individual in the coun-
try. She says that little good may be
expected from the law proposed in Illi-
nois which requires that all sweatshop
goods shall be tagged as such. A similar
effort had been made in New York, she
said, but it had been practical failure.
She insists that no law will be of ma
terial benefit in stopping the sweatshop
evil except it is madea sanitary measure
and the existence Of the sweatshop is
strictly prohibited.
Edwin F. Galley has been elected by
the New Albany Typographical Union as
delegate to the biennial meeting of the