Evening star., 1901-07-03


the terms of the last proposed contract
The Existing Contract.
I'm April, 1900, contract was signed
between the various brewing companies
and the Brewery Workmen's Union, 11s.
and the Central Labor Union OF the Dis
trict Of Columbia, providing for the en-
ployments compensation and regulation of
working of men employed inside, the brew
cries. This contract is In force for three
years. Without any notice to the brewing
companies that the brewery workmen
would take any action, and without any
breach Of contract or grievance whatever
under the contract with the brewery work.
ers and the brewing companies the brew
cry workers, under the direction of the
national order of the brewery workmen,
called out all the brewery workmen and
drivers, leaving the breweries without any
help or assistance whatsoever
This action was taken, the brewing COM
panies say, without any reference to the
authority or jurisdiction of the Central La
Dor Union and without any cause of CON-
plant under the contract between the brew
ing companies and the Brewery Workers
Union, but simply because the brewing
companies had not as speedily signed the
proposed contract of the drivers was
expected. Each of the brewing companies
this morning received communicat ton to
the effect that the brewery Workmen and
drivers would hold a meeting at s o'clock
am today to wait for the different brew
cries OF tne DlStrlCt OF COlumDa sign a
contract with the Beer Drivers and Stable
mems Union This meeting was still at
last reports waiting to hear from the brew
ing companies, and from what is stated by
the brewing companies might, SO far as
they are concerned wait for years to come.
The brewing companies state that there is
absolutely no complaint to be made by the
brewery Workmen whatsoever. They are
receiving union wages and working union
time and their action in calling out the
WOrkmen under the circumstances is be-
ieved by the operators to be unwarranted
and has never been heard of in organized
labor circles. 1t is averred that the action
was taken without authority from the Cen
tral Labor Union of the District Of Column
bia, who were totally ignorant of the pro-
posed action and, in fact, no grievance eX-
listed whatsoever. The operators claim that
1t is simply an attempt to throttle the brew
ing companies by taking advantage of the
beer season. tomorrow being legal holi-
day, when the demand for the supply of
tors say the delivery of beer is being con-
tinued and the places of men going out have
been filled by others.
Another Version.
Another of the representatives of the
brewers present at this meeting made the
following unofficial but very pointed state
ment to Star reporter:
THE drivers have gone on strike.
Well, let them strike. We can get more
men, and We will get them. The strikers
can meet and debate the subject as much
they want to, but their demands will
not be acceded to. That is settled fact
They will stay out forever if they wait
for us to make the concessions they ask"
Succeeding this announcement another
meeting of the strikers was called, to be
held at the Hotel Royal this afternoon. At
a late hour it was still in progress. One of
the officers of this meeting said to Star
reporter while the meeting was in progress
that the men were determined to hold out
for the Increase demanded. He said that
what they asked was due them, and that
the brewers. in justice, ought to accede.
He added that the men were waiting to
hear formal communication from the
employers before taking further action of
any sort. Up to a late hour no such COM
munication had been received. ..
Early this morning, when it was discov-
cred that a strike had been declared, the
managers Of the breweries, upon hurried
available upon the delivery wagons in or
der that the regular trips might be made.
Over at Heurich's brewery Mr.. Heurich
himself took the bull by the horns by
the seat of q delivery wagon and
driving over some of the regular routes of
his establishment Messrs Abner & Drury
did the same thing in their bailiwick
Clerks, collectors, agents, sweeps and other
employees performed similar service, so that
before the day was over each brewery af-
fected had at least made noble effort to
continue its business usual
1t is stated that the breweries will en-
ploy new men to take the places of the
old and 1t is claimed by the managers
that the regular deliveries will be contin-
ued without delay as heretofore.
Neither Side Yields.
At late hour the meeting Of the strikers
was adjourned until 4:3O o'clock pm. when
1t will reconvene for further consideration
Of the situation.
1t was reported this afternoon that the
employers had reached an agreement to
hand all the striking employees their formal
discharges in case they do not report for
work tomorrow morning