The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-02
OWNER AND UNION.
The Interesting Story of Three Newspaper
of Jamestown, N. Y.

The Interesting Story of Three Newspapers
of jamestown, n. Y.
JAMESTOWN. Aug. 31.-Tho typographical
Union was once power among local PUBLISH
ers here. Ill-advised action loosened it's grip
and now there is little moro than the sem-
blance OF an organization in the city. The
first serious setback occurred several years
ago when John A. Hall. now dead. was pub
fishing the Erenin0 Journal The union was
then in tbs height of its glory. The chapel
not only ruled the com posing room. but 1t also
had suggestions to offer regarding the man
agement OF other departments OF the paper.
For long time Mr.. Hall was FESTIVE under the
unions exactons. but the first open outbreak
came when he sought to give employment to q
needy young woman OF his acquaintance and
was toldiby the Typographical Union that he
must not without first compelling her to Join
the organization.
This young lady was one OF the best COM
positors In the employ OF the Journal Imme-
diately after her introduction into the Journal
composing room she was ordered to join the
union. But" she protested. am the only
woman printer in jamestown and don't wish
to join. Besides. l cannot afford to pay the
dues. Won't you let me or?"
Join the union or get out OF the office
was the brutal reply.
Tearfully the young lady appealed to Mr..
ildls " nm shc NOIu btoiJ- hubb
join?" she asked in conclusion.
NO." replied Mr. Hall: you can do as you
please. You shall retain your place whether
you join or not. III run this newspaper here-
after. and l think l will employ whom I
please"
The climax was not long in coming. The
chairman OF the chapel was on hand bright and
early the next morning. Mr.. Hall received him
free2inEy.
Dat woman goes see!' commenced tho
chairman. blowing beery breath at Mr.. Hall
That woman does not CO." remarked Mr..
Hall, very quietly. Then" declared the deio-
gate with an awful frown. we strike"
Strike and be damned" rctorted Mr.. Hall
SPONTANEOUSLY.
his stick and walked out Among the number
was a young man whom Mr.. Hall had taken
into his Office. and taught the trade upon tho
Office, but be had widowed mother to support
and Mr.. Hall charitably allowed him TO hold
his case. He was one OF tho leading advocates
Another young man employed on the csss
crime which would have sent him to Jail for a
long period. Tears and promises 70 reform
@ him ii: and a sbe smop
the advocates Of the strike.
was felt than in city Newspaper shop, Mr..
temporary force Tor the day. One OF the mum.
S Den a a politician Hia and sqbssauent;
was appointed Postm aster Of apsst9xn.
" third Mrs. George Jenner. . the wife 81
prominent citizen; ln the once The editor.
Using men. Waiter Armitage. completed the
list Of compositors. and produced iairiy cred
table paper on the first day OK the strike; In
.Ssnd' Az IL a tas
nado an open office. and several union printers
sub sequently found employment in tho com
Of any in the city and their influence prevented
radical action on the part OF union printers em-
The next newspaper strike amounted to but
little, The printers in the EUentn0 AZ once
h 81 tS here p.p nSt G mott g.S
seriously disturbed by this action. but secprod
printers the 9 .G. day and In
At that time tho book keeper had the accounts
in arrears as they had imagined. For example
Ss psper him
been TsH e e1:ss f
oth"r mail WIS driven IN the CONN Of the
Last on .be list was the Morning Yevs. This
paper raid the highest price Of any In the city:
equivalent 70 nearly double that sum in q large
city. TIE Nc;ns had been q losing venture from
the start Every dollar that was earned won't
over the counter Saturday night to pay the
printers. One day the proprietor. Ben B. Dean,
overhaued the business ONCE. He inspected
the payroll. figured up the weeks receipts.
drew q check on his private account to max Q up
the balapcs and then called the printers In for
conference.
profits Now think ] will quit tho newspaper
business; and If you wish l will give you the
plan. 1t won't cost you cent TO try tho exper-
iment j will turn the entire plant oyer to You
and get out. Now what do you say2"
Six OF the best competitors OF the city ac-
certed tho offer. Tho Newspaper and plant
without a cents Indebtedness was legally
transferred to the gentlemen in question
and they undertook to exemplify the
benefits OF cooperation. They did not
last long. First the daily was discontinued.
Then Sunday edition was isaued for q time.
Finally that was dropped Tho weekly sub.
scrptton list was turned over to the journal
The press and type were sold for what thev
would bring and the Nstcs was added to the
list OF newspaper dead.
This was the death blow to tho union, No
further attempt was made TO maintain tho
mana cement OF the local newspapers. th rough
the composing room chapel. The two dsilies
which survive both have open offices where
union and non union printers work In peace
without an y attem pit to instruct tho respective
proprietors as to their respective duties.