The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1906-01-20
SHERLOCK HOLMES, JR., BUSY
Famous Sleuth Employed by The Wagework-
er to Investigate Conditions in Lincoln Sub
nlits Interesting First Report-Finds
Sad State of Affairs in Several Print Shops
-"Scab" Soap Used to Clean Union Hands.

-"Scab" Soap Used to Clean Union Hands.
After much correspondence in effort to
arrive at terms. The Wagcworker recently
succeeded in securing the services OF Sherlock
Holmes, jr the famous sleuth. The Wage
worker, upon securing the services OF this dis
tinguished detective, assigned him to the task
of looking UP lot of union men who make
strong claims of unionism but very often give
aid and comfort to the 'scabs Mr.. Holmes
has been at work but short time. and during
his Investigations has spent most OF his time
in getting acquainted with the local situation.
AS result his first report is very brief, but
the less interesting that account. Be
ing printer himself Mr. Holmes very natur
ally gave his first attention to the printing
Offices.
In view of the fact that the printers are just
financing the greatest strike in the history
of their organization and are asking the sup
port of other trades unionists, Mr. Holmes re-
port reveals {, very sad state of affairs. But
we will let the famous detective speak for him
self
TO the Editor of the Wageworker-Purs
ant to my agreement with You began my in
vestigations last Monday morning. | gravi-
tated towards the printing Offices first, and
ing my nom de plume soon became well
quainted with most of the printers of the city.
Without an exception | found them all very
much interested in the strike situation and all
with whom | talked were loud in their denun-
Citations of the rats who are allowing them
selves to be used by the Typothetae
My first call was at the Star Office and there
| found bunch of earnest unionists All of
them expressed themselves more than
pleased to be able to cough up 10 per cent
week to help their striking brethren in other
cities
I'VE have no use for rats and scabS' in
this shop declared of the members of
the Star chapel
This sounded good to me, but the echoes
of the declaration died away the man who
made it was at the sink washing his hands
with "scab" soap.
why don't you use good union soap?" |
asked
"O we don't like anything but Stepfather's
Astonishment soap" he replied.
At the Western Newspaper office | found
both composing room and press room thor
oughy union, and in both | found ''scab" soap
used exclusively However, all the men were
very emphatic in their protestations of union
sm When | mentioned the overall factory
across the street they used harsh language in
reference thereto. When ! asked them to ex-
plain the difference between wearing 'scab"
overalls and using "scab' soap they began
talking about the weather.
My first visit to Lincoln was made some ten
or twelve years ago, and at that time | found
the Journal composing room infested with
rats" | not surprised then to lot
OF ScaD OVerallS worn ana SILK equipped
with "scab' soap But | was quite sure that
my visit last Tuesday | would find every
thing changed-but | didn't. | saw only union
printers, it is true. | 'scab overalls.
But over at the sink | found the same old
brand of "scab' soap. | also found all official
of the Typographical Union with ''scab''
Stetson hat perched on his head 1t made me
laugh to hear a lot of union talk coming from
beneath that "scab' hat
In short, | visited every printing Office in
town. and not one used union made soap
| did little sleuthing the chewing to-
bacco question, too. | not a chewer of the
weed, but | smoke constantly. However. on
my rounds | asked eleven printers for chew
- of tobacco Nine of them accommodated me.
and of the nine only one handed me out a ur1-
ion made plug. All the rest was 'scab' of the
worst kind.
also asked seventeen printers for pipeful
of tobacco. Fifteen of the seventeen accom-
modated me. and eleven of them handed me
sacks or boxes that never had the label there
on Five of them handed me ."Puke's Mix
ture.
On my way to my hotel in the evening
stopped in at cigar store to lay in supply
of smoking tobacco. | met unon printer in
the store and asked him to have cigar with
me. He accepted and selected "Cremo,
which is tenement made "scab" cigar put out
bv the American Tobacco Co. | paid for it
iotted down the union mans name and will
use it for text for future report.
/ haven't got my bearings yet therefore this
report is very incomplete. | will make more
extensive report in time for your next issue
rather think that my next round will be of the
barber shops to ascertain what is doing.
SHERLOCK HOLMES. JR.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION