The evening times., 1899-05-05
liar vote Of the members of the national

ular vote OF the memoere OF the hationea
union.
In extreme cases q local union inaugu-
rates a strike without permission, but II
receives no support from the central BODY
Tie laws of the Organization provide Tor
a travelling benefit. The provision aims
to aid man who is cut Of work ana VINO
cannot get employment in the town IN
which he is living to go to some otner
town or city where the cigar business s
more active and the prospects OF obtaining
work are brighter. During the last nine
teen years, 81. 100000 has been paid out III
travelling benefits.
During the strike in Cincinnati IN
lSS4-'S5, when the organization numbered
IL 600 members, secs. 600 was disbursed in
less than a year.. Although the union did
not win the strike, it considered the re-
| suits in the light of victory. The strike
demonstrated to the operators that the
body was thoroughly organized and there
have been no great strikes since.
In Binghamton, N. Y, in 1880, the nom
union cigarmakers lnaugurated strike.
At first the union took no part In the
strike, but after a time reached such pro-
portions that the union men were shut out
Of the factories. The national organiza-
tion then took up the fight.
THE manufacturers secured an injunc-
| tion against the union men which practi-
! cally prohibited them from doing anything
! except going back to work for the man
| ufacturers" said the witness. The manu-
| facturers raised SIS 900 and employed tie
! best legal talent in the western part OF
! New York TO make the Injunction perma-
nent. The union retaliated- by employing
an attorney who carried the matter to the
court of appeals of New York and finally
| secured a dissolution OF the order. after
il having cost the union $4,000. The wit
ness stated that no violence can be laid at
the door CT the strikers. The union does
not countenance violence.
Very few of the Cuban cigarmakers en-
plcyed in the factories of Florida are
members of the union. Efforts have been
made to organize them, but without sue
cess. They talk of liberty said the Wit
ness but they cannot be made TO discuss
or study economic or industrial ques-
tions.''
Mr.. Perkins thought that depression in
business is due to the low rate OF wages
paid to labor. IF they were to receive
greater portion of the wealth which they
help to produce they could purchase a
larger amount and greater variety of
the luxuries and necessities OF life" SAD
Mr.. Perkins II the increase in wages
were to be made general the under-coh-
sumptjon which results in depression
would be avoided.
The witness believed that trade unions
tend In times of depression to stihe dan
gerous disaffection among labor men.
During the hard times OF 1894 unorganized'
unemployed laborers were accustomed 10
gather in large crowds on the lake front
and discuss the situation. AT times these
meetings were dangerous and Mayor Har-
rison finally found it necessary to sup
press them The organized labor men.
many of whom were out of work, gathered
! al their trade union meetings where, sur
rounded by some semblance OF deccrum
and authority. they relieved their minds
| by discussing the situation in an orderly
way. In the case of the unorganized labor
there was no authority and the meeting
often became disorderly. The conclusion
of the witness was that the trade union
acts as a restraining influence over its
members which in times of provocation is
very effective.
At the afternoon session David Ross,
secretary of the Board of Labor Commits
| sioners OF Illinois. gave testimony on gen
| eral labor topics.