The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-03
STRIKE STATUS UNCHANGED.
KROUsKoFF's TALK
TO THE UNIONS.

THAT His Talk Had Any Political
Sisnifcance-The Unions Letter to
the Mayor and Aldermen Asking
the City to Make o Hours Its stand
ard for Day Labor - Contractors
say They VIII Have No Difficulty
in Securing Labor.
There was little If any change yesterday
IN the labor situation. Both the union men
and the contractors that have not grant
ed the unions demands, appeared to be
satisfied with the course Of events, and
each is confident of ultimately winning
cut.
There was no violence, and the only
anproach to it was when two men under
the influence of liquor insisted on staying
In the Weed building contrary to the or
ders OF Superintendent Steinacker, who
fnally had them removed.
Superintendent Steinacker says the
strike has not Inconvenience him; he not
only has all of the men that he needs but
has turned away many who applied to
him for work because he had no work to
give them He further says that the state
ment that MIR. Weed knew nothing of the
arrangements between himself and the
striking workmen is untrue as not only
lid Mr.. Weed know of the arrangement
but it was with his express consent that
Il was made.
The Builders Exchange held their usual
meeting but no important business was
transacted.
Several meetings of the unions, both as
separate organizations and as a body,
were also held during the day The most
important Of them was held last night at
Labor Hail. 1t was addressed by a num-
Der of speakers, among them ex-Alderman
S krouskoff. He was called for Justify be-
fore he made his appearance, and when
he came forward he was heartily cheer
ed. He was introduced by Mr.. T. J.
Naughtin.
Mr. Krouskoff said that he did not think
II necessary for an introduction, for there
were few present who did not know not
only who he was, but what he was. For"
he continued, this is not the first time
l have been in this hall and addressed the
working men on the question of labor
Not only have 1 been identified with union
labor nearly life time during my resi-
dence in this city, but have been associ-
ated with unions since a boy. 1 am, and
nave always been, a friend to those who
nave nothing but what they earn with
their own hands,
Mt Krouskoff wanted il distinctly I'M
derstand that his taking part in the meet
tns had no political Significance 'sAny
man in this hall or out Of it," he said.
VINO says that my interest in labor has
anything to do in any way with politics
Is too low and contemplate for me 10
speak of. The man who takes no interest
IN the laboring man or who, after his own
selnsn purposes have been accomplished
takes no thought of the interests of others.
Is no friend to humanity, nor is he a
man as God Almighty intended him to be-
am mere tonight as a citizen, as a man
and as a laboring man. 1 am still a
Knight of Labor, and though there are
only few of us left. we are still in ex-
lStence. l mention these things so that
40 man can question my motives. When
my last day shall dawn, when my last
moment of life draws near,
would leave as heritage TO
my children the knowledge that
had always acted with business and
equity toward oil men. l know what it is
10 work for wages, and am therefore fitted
by experience TO speak to you. These are
critical times, serious days for all of u.s.
MOI only You but everybody. 1t has been
said and is still believed that the laboring
man is always ready under such circum-
stances as the present to turn to drink
10 rioting and other excuses and lawless-
ness Now Is your chance 10 give the
ne to these traducers, by giving not the
feast cause that can be construed into an
unlawful act. If you fail to do this I shall
Teel ashamed of the part 1 have taken in
your welfare"
Mr.. Krouskoff said that Ii had been
stated that working man could live on
dollar day. Possibly he could; the ex-
alderman said if he got a dollar every day,
out where the rate is only dollar day,
as rule the income is not more than
Tour dollars week, as owing to rain and
"ther causes the man cannot work every
day. Mr.. Krouskoff went into figures
showing the nominal rent, cost of groce-
.'es' and other necessities 90 prove how
impossible it is for any man with fam
ay TO live on so small wage.
The very men, he said, who are willing
10 let the working man live If
re can on dollar day often pays more
man that amount day for the cigars he
smokes
Mr.. Krouskoff said that he had found
among the working men more charity,
more manhood, and more of the self-sac-
Iihcing spirit than he had ever found
among those who live in a riot of extrava-
Sance and luxury
The trouble" he said. "s that we have
so' so used to seeing the working man
crushed down to the lowest level that we
rave begun to think that it is right that
ne should be. These are the things that
,ne unions are organized to correct, not
ny unlawful means. rioting, fighting, and
sucn things but by educating the public
as wrole, showing them the actual con-
tiohs as they exist. and of which 1t s
.5Hoiaht; brig home to every man the
T'Hdiilon OF the laborer., LAS a merchant
am not diffe ent from other merchants,
~ we al know that the prosperity of
t*!'y depends upon its laboring classes;
en1se VINO. Go not realize 1t now the quick
:, my do the better it will be for them.
20" me a city where the wages are 81
S.59 day, and will
eho" you a city in which the grass
Slows IN the streets and the MOSES in the
.uhheys. great deal of the fault for
eUe present state OF affairs lies with the
'htraetors and those whom the work is
u9ne The contractors are individually
eelE good men, and in the majority of
S'sts are not I'm much better condition
,a,,ahcialy than you are. To remedy this
sts1'e OF affairs IL Is only necessary to let
o'e man who has the house built count in
q Idir price for labor as he would for the