Denver labor bulletin., 1915-10-23

News reaching The Bulletin Nednes-
day evening from New Orleans indicates
that the tide has turned in that city
and that the locked out union printers
employed ON the States. Piccayune and
Item. newspapers published in that city,
which occurred about year ago, have,
after one of the most unl sual struggles
for the principles for which they stand,
succeeded in drawing to their support
some powerful influences, along with
public sentiment. which places them in a
position to better defend their cause
against the uniustified lockout by the
unfair publishers of the aboye-named
papers.
Ii will be remembered that this lock-
out occurred when the members OF New
Orleans typographical Union. during the
depression OF a year ago. attempted to
alleviate the unemployed condition of
their members by instituting a five-day
work week. thereby affording relief to
the members by dividing up the work
until such time a conditions might i'm
prove
The publishers. upon the flimsy pre-
tense that such action was a violation
of the contract between them and The
union. locked out their uuion employees.
Started Paper.
The New Orleans union shortly after Z
the lockout, when all overtures to the
publishers were ignored. started daily /
paper to espouse the principles for which |
they stood and TO show the unjustifiable j
action of the publishers.
This paper. The New Orleans Ameri- /
can. under the management of mem |
hers cf New Orleans union. Immediately |
made it, influence felt and drew to il a /
large following from people in all walks
of life.
II would appear from the information
in our hands. that politics cut quite a
figure in the turning of the tide. as i'm
mediatelv following the institution OF a
suit against the American for the ap-
pointment of receiver, knowing the |
financial condition OF the paper was not |
strong and almost before the ink was /
dry on the petition. one of the assistant |
campaign managers OF Ruffin G. Pleas |
ant appeared Mt the American office |
with an offer to take care of the suit |
and a tender OF 5000 to tide the paper
over its difficulties. which offer was
spurncd by the printers
Senator's Offer.
The following letter from Senator +.
NJ. Stafford. addressed to /. A. Strauss.
president OF the company publishing
New Orleans. La. Oct Il. 1915.
MIR. |. \. Strauss. President New Or
leans Southern Publishing Co, City.
Dear Sir; In reference to the sale of
the New Orleans American. kindly read
this. my latest offer. to the Board OF
Directors Of Your company, and to ev-
eryone concerned in the passing of judg
mcnt ON all offers submitted for the
purchase of the American.
My offer is as follows:
LIST That l will assume all liabili-
ties OF the Southern Publishing Com
pany. and will Immediately pay said
debts including the $500 OF outstand
ing stock.
'-end. That I further guarantee to the
full extent of my financial resources,
amounting to over S25o.ooo.no. that the
paper will be operated over five years
from date of sale.
"3rd. That l further agree to pay the
full union scale of wages. and it will be !
my sincere hope to develop the Ameri !
can in order to care for as many print |
ers as the growth of the paper will al |
low.
"Ith That | further sign the custo- !
mary Publishers and Typographical con,
tract
"5th. That the certified checks for Sl0.- |
10000 that l have posted in the hands |
of President Hebbard is guarantee
of my good faith in my offer, and this |
amount will guarantee my ability to Inn 1
mediately begin putting the paper ON a I
standard daily newspaper basis.
"Gth. That in order to fully assure all I
parties interested in the welfare OF the 4
New Orleans American and in the Just
treatment of the cause of the Typo !
graphical Union. | further pledge my /
self and agree to sign contract of sale 4
with the southern Publishing company
that will legally bind myself and pro
tcct them to the full eNten; OF my per-
sonal wealth. which l. guarantee to be
not less than S25o.0oo.0o.
Respectfully submitted.
"E NJ. STAFFORD
This offer was likewise turned down. 4
the members OF the union putting priu- /
ciple above financial benefit.
Realize Need of Assistance.
II was then the members of the union. /
realizing the need OF assistance. ad- |
dressed the following communication to 4
d. c. O'Aialley;
ID. c. o'Nialley. 1884 Canal street. City: I
DEAR Sir. Dire necessity compcls us
to call on You for assistance in tiding 4
over what seems to be- u conspiracy for /
our ruin. Several members OF the Typo