The labor standard., 1918-09-01
ssSOL" TELLS FRANK ABOUT GLOVERSVuLE
 PROHIBITION TOWN
Short-Sighted Merchants Now Hollering For Help-Premium Stamps and Junk With ssStinkO" NOn-UniOn Cigars,

"StinkO'' NOn- Union Cigars, HARTFORD-Th following letter was received by Frank J. Madden, sec retary- treasurer of Local 200 for a number of years. The letter is from Sol. Sontheimer, who needs no intro duction to the working people of Connecticut Cor the Manufacturers Association, either).
 Gloversville, N. Y., August 26, 1918. MT. Frank Madden,
 1 Secretary Bartenders, Local 200: Friend Frank:
 idea of where I have been and what have done. visited the following places, in the interest of the Trades Union Liberty League: New Britain, New Haven, Simsbury, Waterbury, Bridgeport, South Norwalk, Stamford, New London, Norwich and Danbury, and assure you left nothing undone to give every assistance I possibly knew how. In some of these places I found things working nicely, but I am free to admit, in other places not every thing is being done by the local peo- pie that might be done for the cause. l In my travels frequently met John Reilly of Danbury, working diligently for the cause. I feel sure the league made no mistake in. selecting Brother Reilly to do the work-he is doing everything possible. He is out early and late-always on the job.
 In some of the places the barten- ders and cigarmakers have perfected local leagues, but not in all. Of course they do not seem to realize to what extent the Prohibitionists are on the job, and may be that they will only awaken when they begin to real ize-when it is too late. If only these people could see what have seen, in the western country, they might then be up and doing.
 Right here. in this town (Glovers- ville) they voted the town "Dry," and now you ought to hear the merchants and business people eput up holler. " Amsterdam and Schenectady are both swet," and now the business men are beginning to squeal. Here in this city, the Amsterdam and Schenectady mer- chants are advertising their wares, saying to the people of Gloversville: l "Come to Amsterdam" sCome to Schenectady" do your buying in our town; we. will make it worth your while; we guarantee to pay your trolley fares going and coming" There is a regular stampede here amongst the merchants to stem the tide.
 Now the merchants have formed a Chamber of Commerce to save them lselves,from being ruined-but it's too late. It will be two years before they can take another vote on the ques- tion, and of course when that time rolls around, the damage will have been done.
 I tell you, Frank, you ought to see some of these people. Consternation is mild way of putting it. And then again there are some good features about it, for instance: The Cigar makers Union, is a very weak organi- ration in Gloversville, the merchants and dealers, giving the preference to outside non-union made cigars. Every body here wants to smoke "Premo" or a "Stinko," widely advertised brands of trust-made cigars just to get the coupon or premium stamp. After they have smoked these 'tStinko's" long enough they may get some worthless piece of junk, worth not more than nickel or dime at the most.
 While the home cigar industry has been driven out of Gloversville, want to make the following statement: The bartenders and the saloon keepers have done fairly we'll, they at least have union label cigars on sale, but they pay such miserably low price for the home product, that no cigar maker can make living on the wages paid.
 It does seem too bad that business men should pursue such short-sighted policy-but they do it, just the same. But what's the use of kicking, maybe some day there will be a general awakening, and then things may be different. However, Frank, do not think I am discouraged, I am not built that way.
 I hope your state gathering of the Trades Union liberty Leagues will prove to be a great success.
 Kindly remember me to all the boys of the convention. Kindly tell them of my activity in their behalf, during my stay in Connecticut. Tell them l only wish I could have done more.
 With very best wishes to you, old Pal, remain
 Fraternally
 SOL. SONTHEIMER.
 P. S.-There are two other places l forgot to mention which I visited Middletown and Willimantic.