The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-01
DUFFY AND HIS BOYS.
Will Refuse to Handle New York
Sunday Papers Unless They Can
Get Them for 4i Cents.

The newsboys have become infected
with the germs of the strike fever
which has been epidemic in and
around this city for the last year or
more. At a rather slimly attended
meeting of the lewsboys' union, neld
last night, II was decided to order all
the Sunday paper boys on strike next
Sunday If a certain demand which has
hecn decided upon Is not granted be-
fore that lime.
The local newsboys have been par
chasing the New York Sunday papers
for some time past from the Lacka-
wanna News company at FIVE cents
each and selling them to customers
for seven cents. A number OF them
finally decided that it didn't pay to
carry around seventy-page paper
for profit of two cents. and the
question of securing uniform price
of four and a half cents was raised.
Several of the leading members of
the union approached the representa-
tives of the news company, but were
unsuccessful In securing any satisfac-
tion, and letters were accordingly
written to the circulation managers
of the big New York Sunday papers,
settling forth the boys grievances.
kilograms were received from the
Herald and Journal a week ago. an
nouncing that the boys could secure
these papers from the local news
company for four and half cents in
the future.
The representatives of the news
company took a hurry trip to New
York upon hearing of the receipt of
these kilograms. and that their mis-
sion was successful was proven by two
kilograms received by President James
Duffy, of the Newsboys' union, on
Tuesday from the Herald and Journal,
announcing that "in justice to the
news company the price of our paper
will be five cents in the future"
Last nights meeting was called
upon the receipt of these kilograms
and was attended by about thirty of
the boys selling Sunday New York
papers. A Tribune man who knocked
at the door of Guernsey hall about
$50 o'clock was informed that meet
ing was in progress.
After about fifteen minutes. the doors
were flung omen and out trooped the
boys. or, rather, out came the boys,
driven by singularly pugnacious-look-
ing lad with closely cropped hair, of
whom the others all seemed to be in
great terror.
"Go wan. now, git out" he yelled.
THE meetin'S over"
Nearly all of the boys did "git out"
about as fast as they could, but few
drawer spirits remained. The pug
Notwithstanding lad grabbed these by
their coat collars and kicked them half
way upstairs, remarkng in kind. but
fiji IN tones that they had better not get
gay"
The Tribune man, fearful that he, too,
might be tackled by the lad with the
closely cropped hair, after the on
slaught was over, inquired from one of
the larger boys, who remained, as to
the pugnacous lads identity.
"Why, that's Duffy, our president" ;"
was the reply. II thought everybody
knew Duffy"
The Tribune man approached the
mighty Duffy in fear and trembling.
and was informed by him that all the
Sunday paper boys would he ordered ia
refuse to buy any New York papers
next Sunday, unless they can get them
| for four and a half cents, The news
company will be notified today of this
| decision.
The mighty Duffy informed The Tri-
| hume man that nearly all the newsboye
in the city belong TO the union, and said
that the news company threatened Ia
put negroes on selling papers next Sun
day.
They'd better look out" said he. III
they do that, we'll be after EN-"