The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-10-08
BEER MAKERS QUIT
FOR REGULAR JOBS

Nothing TO it, boys ! vote to make
this strike order permanent we're
the words OF big hurley man in the
labor temple at Kansas City, Mo,
after he had tried getting work in a
legitimate trade following his aban
Comment OF the brewery game when
the brewery workers Of Kansas City
went on strike for higher wages
With the raising OF living costs dur
ing the war years, the Kansas City
brewery workers came face to face
with the problem of other men--they
were having to meet new conditions.
But as legitimate business and indus
try were meeting the requirements of
1.-THE day by wage raises. 1t seems that
the Kansas City brewers failed 10 do
so When the men asked for more
money as a matter of necessity for
feeding and clothing their families,
the brewers could see nothing of in
terest or merit in the demand, and
failed to do anything.
When it became more md more
forcibly impressed upon the family
men that ii was either higher wages
or hungry children, they decided to
make the brewers understand that
the wall of the brewery kings many
of them charged with pro German
ism. that the trafhc would not stand
an advance, meant nothing except
evasion and the attempt of the brew
ers to pile up as much money as they
could while the harvest run still last
ed SO what at first was workers
protest finally resulted in a strike or
der which, becoming effective. found
that the workers had taken "A step
toward leading themselves into the
light OF desirable and unobiectionable
employment.
They are now in position to realize
the argument for legitimate industry
and against brewers and beer making.
This realization also carried with it a
feeling OF pride. To be classified with
in line OF action that does not call
down public condemnation and induce
self disrespect Is highly apprecis BILE.
This becomes manifest in the reports
from various of the former brewery
workers who are now engaged in other
lines Of action. II develops that prac-
tically every man quitting the brew
cries in Kansas City had no occasion
to walt for long before getting to
work They were all needed and as
soon as they could get around to the
places where they were needed II was
matter of simply getting to work.
This Is best told in the words of the
brewery wagon driver, reported in
Kansas City Star Il didn't even look
at the help wanted columns l went
to a whole sale grocery house, told them
what | had been doing and what I'd
like to do and they asked me only one
question. Wanted to know II ] was
married. Say, told the boss Id bring
the nlissus and my hock OF eight around
and let him look them over II he doubt
ed it. We'll. I'm going to work in the
morning, pulling the ribbons over the
spankingest team Of six-year old bays
that ever looked through brides. And
get this-~I have a helper and get SIS
more than ! received for rolling fuls
and empties."
This is n. fairly representative incl
dent Of the general run of men ieav-
ing the brewerics first in protest and
then in strike formation. And what
is more the business agent of the
brewery workers states that they are
rot offering any announcement to get
A settlement with the brewers while
the men are seeking employment where
they will get placed in a more desir-
able and a more lasting enterprise than
beer making.