The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-04-22
SAWYER CO.
UNI0NIzED
What a PreSistant Demand
for Union Labeled Goods
Can Accomplish.

weapon in the hands of union men is
the union label. 1t is so patent that
it would seem that it would require
no particular elucidation. A dealer or
a manufacturer who would retain his
business must handle what his custo-
mers demand. If he don't his competi
tor who is little more far-sighted,
very soon takes his trade away from
him. If concerted demand for the
union label were made by every union
man in Everett, local merchants would
very soon be securing the country to
secure union made goods and the
wholesaler and manufacturer surely
would very soon find out how they
could get the label on their products.
That the manufacturer as rule is
alive to trade influences is pretty well
illustrated by the following little story:
The Sawyer Tool Manufacturing com
pany, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts,, man.
ufactures machinists' tools extensively
They had once used the label on their
products but had discontinued it's use
Users of machnists' tools who were
union men began to enquire why and
considerable agitation resulted. 1t
made itself felt on the trade of this
particular company and the officials
who were practical business men, began
thorough investigation. A circular
letter was prepared and sent out to ma
chinists throughout the country in
which some very pointed questions were
asked. R. F. Straka, secretary of the
local machinists' union, received one of
these circulars. The object of the com
pany was to obtain the sentiment of the
individual union machinists of the
country towards union made tools. A
great many machinists replied to this
circular, and the tenor of the replies
left no room for doubt in the minds
of the officials of the Sawyer Tool com
pany as to their attitude.
it appeared in the columns of the Fitch
burg Daily News of March 26th last:
"An event of general interest to all
organized labor throughout this vicinity
took place last night at Reform Club
hall, when the entire working force of
the Sawyer Tool Manufacturing com
pany, of Fitchburg, was installed in the
International Association of Machinists.
The installation was made by officers
of Rollstone Lodge of Machinists, No.
400, with which the Sawyer company
employees will be affiliated.
at is seldom that the entire number
of employees of a manufacturing con-
Germ have united forces for initiation
into the union as a body, and the event
is considered all the more extraordinary
dance with the wishes of the manage
ment of the Sawyer Tool Manufactur
ing company.
"One of the interesting features of the
installation was the initiation of the
five young lady employees of the Saw
yer company. The young ladies evinced
great deal of interest in the proceed
ngs and, after being initiated, declared
their intention of giving their full share
of support to the cause of unionism.
"The address of welcome was made
by Harry Hartford of Boston, inter
national organizer of the machinists'
union. He declared the event a splen-
did tribute to the confidence that en-
dures for organized labor in general and
the machinsts' union in particular. He
laid stress upon the fact that the big
move into the union ranks had been
made with the full consent of the Saw
yer Tool Manufacturing company mana
cement, and that the union machinists
everywhere should see to it that the
SAWYER product received its full share
of patronage.
"The recent development of the Saw
yer Tool company's resources and the
consequent demand for Sawyer tools
has made necessary a large addition to
the working force. The sale of Sawyer
tools to the union machinists of the
country has started considerable agita-
tion, with the result that Vice President
Wilson of the International associal
tion waited upon the management with
the request that all of its employees be
made members of the machinists' union.
Following quickly upon the visit of
Vice President Wilson the management
took up the matter with its employees,
who signified their entire approval of
the plan.
"The growth of the machinists' tool
industry had brought each individual
tool manufacturing concern to the at
tention of the International union of
ficials.
"The large number of officers from
Boston and other nearby cities who
were in attndance at the installation
last evening attested to the interest
that has been attached to the affair. A
number of the officers were loud in ap-
probation of the Sawyer Tool com