Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-02
How the Strike Originated.

The cigar makers had been out for more
or less indefinite period. 1t is a rare inter-
val when some of the factories are not at
odds with their workmen. The cigar max
ers' unions compact and aggressive.
Their demands, if they have the semblance
of reason, usually are met by the manu-
facturers. The basis for the general strike
was the charge that the factories, and es-
peciaIly those controlled by the American
companies or the trust; were discriminating
against Cubans as apprentices. There
seems to have been ground for this charge,
but this matter could have been settled
easily. The manufacturers claim that it
really was settled, but that ambitious labor
leaders and politicians wanted big strike,
and having set out to have 1t, they got
that in the results that have followed they
got more than they wanted.
A week ago threats were made of a gem
eral sympathetic strike and the Fremont
tory symptoms were marked. The cigar
makers had committees and delegations
visiting other gremios, cor labor unions, and
urging them TO quit-Work If the cigar fac
tories did not yield. Some of these gremios
were strongly averse to striking. They
promised their moraIr support and also
financial aid. But this was not in line with
the plan Of the ambitious leaders. The
stevedores and 1ongsh bremen, who often
strike, and who USUALLY enforce their de-
mands without help from other labor
unions, were slow to give their consent.
Finally they yielded and then other unions
fell into line with them.
Most of the organizations treated their
employers courteously, giving them formal
notice two or three days in advance of the
coming cessation of all work. However
the strike fever mounted. and in some in
stances there was no notice. Two or three
months ago the unemployed upsklled labor
ers Of the city held mass meetings and
marched to the palace to beg that work be
given them. So some public improvements
which were not urgent or necessary at this
time were begun on the old forts and on the
malecon, or sea wall. The laborers at the
malecon, hired by the state as they were,
were the first to quit. In the beginning
they had no grievance They were receiv-
ing eighty cents a day. American money,
for ten hours work After two days idle
ness they decided they had grievance and
sent a committee to the secretary Of public
works to demand a dollar day for eight
hours work. Incidentally 1t may be stated
that their demands were not met, and now
some of them will have to go into the coun-
at fifty cents a day, Spanish silver. or less
than half the wages they have been receiv-
ing.
In the rope factory few weeks ago bust
ness had begun to pick up, due to the I'm
provement in the sugar industry, for the
plantations were calling for cordage as fast
as 1t could be supplied. Many of these
good while last summer. Nevertheless, they
sent delegation to the superintendent to
announce not only that they meant to quit
work, but that he should close down the
factory, for no one else should be allowed
to work. dozen similar instances might
be given. There were symptoms of the de-
gree to which the strike fever was spread