The San Francisco call., 1904-11-15
DISCUSSION
OF THEMES
OF INTEREST
Audiences Assemble
in TheaterS to
Applaud.
Clerks fire Rated
Open House Is Kept
for Delegates
Pleasure.
Clerks fire Rated

Cooperative stores were discussed at
a gathering Of the butchers and street
carmen's unions at the Alhambra last
night. The house was filed and the
orators and the audience were enthu-
siastic. Richard Cornelius, president Of
the Carmen's Union, acted as chair
man. John L. Davie, ex-Mayor Of Oak
land and head Of the California Co
operative Meat Company; p. H. Nc
Carthy and w. d. MahOn. president of
the International Street Carmens IN
ion, were the speakers.
John Mitchell was expected to make
an address, but he sent word that ow-
ing to other engagements ne could not
appear.
P. H. Mccarthy told Of the organiza-
tiOn of the Progressive planning mills.
and in a fiery address denounced the
policy Of open shop and advocated CO.
operation. He said in part:
The beauty Of cooperation is that no one
can be millionaire. There is no argument
strong enough to block this movement All
the Corbetts and Fftzsimmonses in the country
could not land it knockout punch. Co-opers-
ton means the end OF the strike. the lock
out and the blseElisting.
with than When they die There is enough
donated alreedy 70 start cooperative butcher
shops in san Francisco on the same lines as
the ones in Oakland.
j. l.. DAVIE SPEAKS.
]. L. Davie was introduced by Corne-
lius. He said in part:
I came back to Oakland about eight months
ago, having just recovered from a long illness
l had no money. but had my nerve with
me I went to work at the butchers block
at 81 80 day and had been there but three
days when / tound myself locked out
was justly Indignant Certain people came to
me and offered me work at a reasonable
salary, II / would comply with certain con-
ditiOns. I told them that i would not I
had toiled hard for the city Of Oakland and
while 7 Mayor there were no policemen
burglars. 1 gave the city clean admins
Wen. we started the movement for CO.
operative buteher-shops- We started with no
office furniture but a barrel desk and a
table, but we had our nerve. The California
Cooperative Meat Company started with one
shop. Now it has ive and We viii have
two more before December.
w. d. Mahon said in part:
have had little time in the last ave or six
years to study this subject rs i have been
busy with my own organization The CO.
operative movement is often misunderstood.
and cOnfcunded with joint stock companies
The difference between them is that In the
cooperative plan the members work for one
work one another. We have reached the point
where working must study economy and
This movement is not socialistic. We don't
want to tear down the castle. but we do want
TO destroy the howell Let US roll up our
sleeves and go into this movement with a
viii and our opponents win soon go out Of
business
BARRIERS ENTERTAIN.
The JOurneymen BARRIERS Union held
open house last night at their O'FarreH
street headquarters for the entertain
ment of the visiting delegates. Among
the visitors were President Of the In
ternational BarSers' Union Frank Nor
chang. Secretary J. c. Shanessy. J.
Shillebar, secretary of the Sheet and
Metal Workers Union; Frank Jordan
business agent Of the Western Miners
Union of Colorado; W. E. Klapetzky.
past secretary and treasurer Of the
BARRIERS International Union, and
Frank Smith, president OF the Oakland
Journeymen's Union. All these made
short addresses.
President Samuel Gompers addressed
a large gathering of retail clerks in
Pioneer Hall last night. II those pres
ent expected praise they were doomed
to disappointment. He accused them
of niggardliness and lack Of apprecia-
ton of what had been done for them by
members Of other branches Of organ
lied labor. After gaining a victory the
members Of the associations, as they
usually prefer to style their Organiza-
tions. would disband sooner than pay
the so cents a month TO keep their or
ganization alive. In about a year old
COnQlIlOnS WOulQ OBTAIN, LOlOWeQ OE
more agitation. another victory and on
its heels another disbandment. The
clerks, he said, are starving out their
own international officers to save a few
cents per capita. Mr.. GOmpers spoke
strongly in favor OF universal peace.
but he said 1t must either come from
mutual recognition or from fear
The meeting was presided over by
Charles B. Whilden, president Of the
district council Of retail clerks. Among
the speakers were j. II. Devine of
Scranton. Pa. a delegate to the con-
vention; Max Morris Of Denver. inter
national secretary-treasurer Of the re-
/ tail clerks: G. z. Schaver Of Portland.
secretary OF the State Federation of
Labor: Mayor Eugene z. Schmitz and
F. S. Lewis, national vice president OF
the United Mine Workers.