The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-14
Union Butchers Will Not
Compromise With
Armour.
Have "SCab" Labor But
No Slaughter
house.
Encouraging Prospect of
Adjustment in
Chicago.

II is entirely probable that there viii
be a strike OF local butchers after all,
as an outgrowth Of the great packing
house strike.
The cause of the trouble is the cattle
which Frank Graham. manager of the
Armour Packing Company. purchased
in Virginia to supply the local market.
When il became known that these cat
tie were for Armour, one of the pack
ing houses against which the strike is
directed the union butchers and helpers
employed AT the two main abattOirs,
that OF Golden & Co. at Brickhaven.
and that of T. T. Keane and n. Auth.
at Benaing. waited on their employers
and stated positively that they would
not kill any beef for Armour.
Met with this ultimatum. Golden s.
Co. through their president, William G.
Carter, frankly stated TO Mr. Graham
that they could not handle his cattle.
Michael Keane. OF the firm Of T. T.
Keane. who. with \. Auth. controls the
Benning abattoir. announced that the
work of the two firms was so great
that it would be impossible to accept
the commission from Mr.. Graham.
Sought "Scab" workmen.
on this refusal. Mr. Graham circu-
lated around Center Market and Louis
lana Avenue, seeking TO employ those
non-union butchers who are now work
ing in market stands as cutters, clerks
and statesmen. II is understood that the
compensation offered was large, one
man placing it at 3 per head, and that
his offer was accepted in a number Of
cases.
The labor secured-.scab'' Iabor-the
next problem was 10 find proper place
for killing. Golden & Co. when ap-
preached. reiterated their refusal 10
handle the stock under any circum-
stances. This left the Benning abat-
toir. and the various small slaughter
houses scattered about the District and
vicinity. and the alternative Of shipping
10 another point for butchering This
last. however. was not considered prac-
ticable, because the same opposition
would be encountered in Baltimore and
Pittsburg as here.
There IS no slaughter house available
which can hang more than fifteen
beeves. and these have no cold stora ge
facilities. In other words. the Armour
Packing Company and whatever other
interests. if any. represented by Mr..
Graham in his coup de grace. were up
against the proposition Of killing their
cattle in the Benning abattoir or not at
all.
Farmers Raise Prices.
Mr. Graham returned TO Washington
unexpectedly last night He was sup
posed 10 be in Virginia until Friday
or Saturday. buying more cattle. On his
return he stated that the stock-raising
farmers had gotten wise 10 the sltua-
tion and were asking a price for cattle
on The hoOf which made its purchase
impossible. However that may be. he
al once set about arranging for the
hiring Of butchers
When Michael Keane. now at the head
Of the firm OF T. T. Keane & Co. was
asked II he would permit the non-union
men approached by Mr.. Graham 10 20
10 the Beuning abattoir and kin the
Armour cattle. he replied that " auth
was president OF the abattoir cOmpany
and was the ma.n 20 sec. SUBSEQUENT
inquiry developed the fact that Mr Auth
was out Of the city till Monday. and that
Mr.. Reanc had full control over the
abattoir. When again approached with
the fat question as 10 whether he would
permit such an arrangement. Mr. Keaue
replied:
Il refuse 10 answer your question"
Martin llellmuth, secretary OF the To-
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