The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-31
AT STANDSTILL
SAN FRANCISCO WATER FRONT
TIED UP FROM END
TO END
ALLIED UNIONS ON STRIKE
Fifteen Thousand Freight Handlers
and Men of Associated Crafts
Have Quit Their
Jobs.
WANT UNIONS RECOGNIZED

SAN FRANCISCO. July 9O-The labor
trouble in this city reached crisis To-Day
and as a result maritime traffic and labor
along shore are almost at a standstin
and Industries almost totally paralyzed.
The order for a general walk-out of
the City Front Federation was made ef-
fectiVe this morning.
The City Front Federation comprises
fourteen unions and organizations, with
a full membership of about $1,000.
Three thousand of these men are en-
ployed at sea or in other cities and the
strike order does not apply to them until
they return to San Francisco. Twelve
thousand men obeyed the order today.
The City Front Federation is composed
of the following organizations: Sailors
Onion of the Pacific, four local unions Of
'lOngshOremen, marine firemen, Brother
hood of Teamsters Snip and Steamboat
Joiners, Porters, Packers, Warehouse
men, ship Clerks, Pie Drivers and Bridge
Builders, Hosting Engineers, Steam and
Hot Water Filters and Coal Teamsters.
When the order to walk out went into
effect all the big shipping companies, with
one exception, were left without union
man BY a special agreement made some
time ago between the Pacific Coast
Steamship company and the Firemens
union, firemen remained on the vessels
of that company. -Four coasting steam
ers a steamship and a schooner were
the only vessels that went to sea.
1t is claimed by the officers of all
the organizations involved, it is said, that
the strike is not purely an expression of
sympathy with the union of teamsters or
any other body of workers who are in
dispute with their employers, but is
taking up of the gauntlet thrown down
by the Employers association. In other
words the City Front Federation is de-
termined to defend the principle OF union
ism which the associated employers
have announced their intention to crush.
Both sides seem determined to carry
the fight on, and all efforts on the part
of the mayor and others to bring about
a concihatory settlement, have thus far
proved unavailing. 1t is reported un-
authoritatively that several of the larger
wholesale houses will close down until
the strike is settled. Walter Goff, presi-
dent of the labor council said today:
BATTLE FOR THE UNION.
'"rhis is the greatest strike in the his
tory of the state. Its effects will be far
reaching and the city and state will suf-
fer untold damages, but the responsibility
for it is all with the employers. They
have discharged men right and left for
ssdhering 60 union principles, and in TAX
! ing up the battle the affiliated trades are
merely fighting for their rights.
Nv e QlQ not want TINS trouble, ana
did what we could to avoid it, but the
employers were obstinate and forced US
to accept the issue. Now that the strike
is upon u.s. we will fight ii out. We will
win, because our side is right.
Our victory will mean the success of
union principles, the defeat of the en-
ployers attempt to say that employees
shall not organize or take steps to pro-
tcct their labor"
There is every prospect that many
other unions will be drawn into the
fight, in which case the business of the
city will be completely tied up. The coal
handlers may refuse to handle the fuel
supply Of the city, or the drivers of oil
wagons to deliver oil to manufacturers
who use that product for fuel.
FUEL IS SHORT.
The coal supply of the city will last
but two weeks with ordinary consump-
ton, but with economy it may be made
to last a few weeks longer. Should the
coal and oil supply be cut off the light
ing companies will be compelled to close
down and the city will be left in dark
ness after nightfall.
Several disturbances occurred today
and the first really serious fight since
the trouble commenced took place be-
tween a party of strikers and two col
Ored drivers imported from the interior.
The colored men state that they were at
tackled and fired into the strikers in self
defense. One man was slightly injured
He was a striker who happened to be
Ct oSsing the street near the scene OF the
trouble. The strikers claim that the
shoot ng was unprovoked. The non-union
men were arrested, but We're released on
bail.
Several fights occurred on the water
front and the police were compelled to
use their clubs freely, but no one was
seriously injured.
At Port Costa, where several hundred
warehouse men have been on strike O.
settlement was reached today, the ware
house owners agreeing to a nine-hour
work day and to pay time and half
for all over time.
FRUIT GOING TO WASTE.
The effects of the strike are being
felt in the interior of the state and at
fruit shipping centers much fruit is be-
ing Easted. Other products are being
placed in warehouses awaiting a settle
ment of the strike and restoration to
normal labor conditions.
The transport service has not yet been
seriously affected, but few Of the fire.
men and sailors are union men.
The greater part of the cargo had been
placed on the fitzpatrick, scheduled to
sal Thursday for Manila. A consign-
ment of flour remained to be placed
aboard, however, and a gang of steve
Folsom street dock. The majority of the
men are those who have been employed
right along on government vessels.
The Meade is the next vessel to be
located. She is scheduled to sail on the
10th prox
Under the present conditions, the work
will continue as before the strike, but in
the event that men cannot be scured it
is said the soldiers at the Preside will
be called on to load the transports.
total of over 25,0O0 union workmen
have now stopped their labor since the
miCdle Of May last, divided as follows:
City Front Federation, comprising four
teen organizations, 5000 men.
Machnists and iron workers, 1000.
Cooks and walters, I500
Sand teamSterS, 600
Oakland teamsters, 1000.
Total number of men out, $4,000.