The Indianapolis journal., 1903-08-09


against the Sunday shops and can show re-
suits. Out of the total of over 800 unions
more than half have closed their shops on
Sunday since coming into the organization.
Also. through the medium of the union a
large percentage of the shops are opening
one-half hour later during the week days
and many an hour later. About IS per cent.
of the unions have secured an increase on
the price OF hair cutting and shaving.
There is benefit also realized to the en-
ployers as well as the employe in that. in a
great number of shops. hot water. neck
shaving. etc. are charged extra 4Vhough
this cuts down the tips it Increases the in
come of the owners of the shops as well
as the wages OF the BARRIERS.
Strikes are rarely heard of in the organ
ization The executives do not sanction
them. Shops, may be declared. unfair and
boycotted by the Iaboring classes, but
pitched conflict Between employer and en-
ployes rarely if ever exists. In most
cases the owner Of the shop works along
with his employees and the interest OF both
are more nearly the same than in other
unionized trades. Although employers are
not admitted into the union they are more
or less familiar with its work and receive
favor shorter hours where they are rigidiy
demanded or refuse to let the union come
into their shops they lose the trade of all
union men by being placed on the unfair
list Cases of this kind occur often but
they are generally in the small shops.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
The union has also done much in remoy-
ing the dangers OF contracting contagious
diseases that are prevalent In the barber
shops. | believe that one-half the germs
of disease are contracted in the barber
shops from bad hygienic methods. In many
places the local unions require the use of
antiseptics and balms the sterilization OF
razors and the cleaning Of brushes and
chairs The passage of the license law in
many States has raised the standard of
the shops The law requires the barber
TO pass a certain examination before prac-
ticing his profession. 1t has been success
full in the States of New York. Massachu-
sets. Texas, California, Utah, Wisconsin,
Delaware, Washington, Dakota and Ne
vada The bill was turned down by the
State Legislatures of both Indiana and
Illinois 1 believe, however. that it is only
a question of time before it is passed, as
we intend to fight for it until successful.
1t was many years before the bills in the
other States were passed and i do not
think it will be long before Indiana VIII
have the same law.
Now that the executive offices of the
union are located in indianapolis strong
fight will be made against Sunday shops in
this city / understand that Indianapolis Is
a Sunday city and that the majority of the
barber shops either operate openly or be-
hind closed doors on that day. If other
people do not work on Sunday ii is not
right that the BARRIERS should be made to,
and I intend to do my best to close the
union shops and give members the one
day that every man is entitled to. Ii the
barber shops are kept open late Saturday
night there is no reason why men cannot
have their work done then instead OF Sun
day morning and 1 do not believe that the
closing of the shops will curtail the re-
ceipts of the employer materially. In many
other cities of the East man cannot get
shaved on Sunday and consequently he has
it done Saturday night. 1t has been found
that the regime does not affect profits
enough to warrant the extra hours of the
BARRIERS.
BARBER SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Zone of the greatest questions which faces
| the BARRIERS union is the so-called barber
Il
school system. which are frauds of indis-
putable gravity and which bid fair to at
length lower our craft to most degrad-
ing level. When thousands of these pro-
fessed students or graduates are being
turned out annually, the time must surely
come when the competent and legitimate
workman must either seek other employ
ment be forced to sell his skill and ex-
perience for mere pittance.
1.-The executive board of the union is like
that of any other. organization. However,
the officers are not all located at the unions
international headquarters, for the reason
that a great deal, in, fact. majority, of
the business Is transacted by mail None
but Mr.. Fischer and myself and necessary
clerk will be permanently situated at the
offices in this city. The executive board
| is composed of the following: President,
| Frank X. Noschang, of Albany. n. Y; first
| vice president, Thomas w. Dee, of Calves
ton, Tex; second vice president, NJ c.
Deremer of Bay City. Mich; third vice
| president T. NJ Leabo, of Portland, Ore;
fourth vice president, John F.. Hines. of
Worcester, Mass; organizer Jacob Fischer,
of Anderson. Ind; secretary-treasurer, w.
! E. Klapetszky. of Cleveland"