Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-28
BAKERS AND. UNIONS
Central Labor Organization
May Enter Discussion
DRIVERS INVOLVED
PREDICTION OF BREAK IN PRICES
UNCoNFIRMED.
Consumers Argue Against Increase
and Continue to Declare Six-Cent
Loaves Are Not Justified.

The Association of Merchant Bakers of
| the District of Columbia, which, it has
peen sad, had no official part in bringing
ABOUT the advance in the price of bread,
may, however, be drawn into the contro-
Versy as an organization. The Bakery
Drivers Union, to which all the drivers of
the big local bakeries belong, is closely af-
hliated with the Central Labor Union, and,
1T is said, dissatisfaction on the part of the
drivers may cause a change in the present
| favorable attitude of trade unionism in the
city toward the bakers recent action. Since
the Merchant Bakers Association was
formed some years ago with the chief pur-
pose of settling labor difficulties, it is plain
| to see that it would have to take cogni-
zance of such a situation this.
| Drivers of bakery wagons were quoted
| in The Star of yesterday as saying that
their sales were falling off every day. This,
of course, touches their pocket books, since
they are paid on commission, according to
the number of sales. 1t is argued by the
bakers that since the percentage of COM
mission remains the same and the price Of
the bread has been increased the men are
making more money than they were before,
| in spite of the fact that there has been a
falling off in their sales. But the drivers
say a so per cent decrease in sales is not
covered by 20 per cent increase in the
commission.
There has been kicking" all along the
line, with the result it is said that all but
three bakers have consented to raise the
amount of money which is guaranteed to
the drivers. The guaranty has always been
very small, 1t is claimed as compared with
what the drivers actually earn, and now
even with larger amount guaranteed the
men are said to be making less than before
Therefore there is still cause for dis
satisfaction in the opinion Of the drivers.
Drivers Union to Meet.
Added to this cause is another. Three Of
the bakers, it is learned on good authority,
have refused to increase the amount of
money guaranteed the drivers. These men
are now making in many instances only
about one-half as much money as they
made before, owing to the decrease in the
quantity of their sales of bread.
The grievance of the employees of these
three baking establishments, and incident al
ly the whole situation, will probably receive
careful attention by the drivers union at
Its next meeting, to be held Sunday even
ing.
For some time past the union element of
the city has regarded the bakers with
marked favor because the latter have been
paying the men who do the baking and
other employees in their establishments good
union wages. Unfonsm is expressing itself
constantly as being not against the in
crease in the price of the staff of life, CIV
ing figures through it's publca tons to justi-
fy 1t. The bakers have been somewhat
strengthened in their position by this con-
dition of affairs.
The atmosphere has not yet been cleared
of the various conflicting opinions in the
bread controversy which were mentioned in
The Star yesterday. Indeed, contradictory
assertions on the part of baker and driver
as to the amount of sales were made to a
Star reporter again today.
"Sales are going back to the normal con-
dition," say the bakers.
"Sales falling off more and more every
day." say the drivers.
Five-cent bread continues to flourish,
flour continues to be sold to houSekeepers
in large quantities and contracts are being
made and contemplated for furnishing
bread to certain stores at the lower rate
Briefly, the situation from this standpoint
remains the same as 1t has been for the
last two three days.
The big bakers will not say whether or
not they have held a consultation over the
present situation, or whether they intend
to do so. But one well-known baker said
to a Star reporter this morning that COM
ittee had been appointed to visit the press
and talk the matter over He did not
say who appointed the committee
Several of the boss bakers were asked
this afternoon about the contention of
their drivers.
There is absolutely nothing in it," an
A representative of the Havenner Baking
Company said:
Our drivers will draw more money this
week than they did last
IF all this agitation would blow over
everything would be lovely said another
baker.
Views of Citizens.
The Evening Star has received many COM
munications from business men and SUBJ