Turning the Tables by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Dec 23, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 51.

Turning the Tables

By Editor

Turning the Tables.—Of late a disposition seems to be growing among some employers of labor to "carry the war into the enemy's country." This was seen in Brooklyn, N. Y., on December 10, when a great hat manufacturing concern decided never again to employ any member of the hatter union. This action was taken because of the action of the men in repudiating their agreement with the company in complete disregard of their signed obligations. It is claimed that the company is getting good men at a rapid rate to supply the strikers' places. In San Francisco trouble of a somewhat similar nature has arisen in the restaurant business. The majority of the restaurants have closed their doors indefinitely because a strike was threatened contrary to agreement. At the recent resumption of operations on the Chicago street railways the managers ordered that no union buttons be worn by the men while on duty. We have not learned the outcome of this matter. In line with these actions is the decision of Judge Holden at Chicago in placing a fine of $1,000 against the Press Feeders' Union of Chicago for interfering with the business or employees of ten printing firms, members of the Chicago Typothetæ. In imposing the penalty, the judge said:—

There has been no discrimination between the sexes. Women have been assaulted and terrorized, and followed to their homes, and their families intimidated. Murder has even resulted from the unlawful acts of the union and its striking acts. From affidavits in evidence in this case it appears that more than fifty people have been, since the inception of the difficulties set forth in the bill, assaulted, intimidated, called opprobrious epithets, and threatened with more harm, simply because they worked in a place voluntarily vacated by members of the Franklin Union, No. 4.

The work of organizing the employers is in harmony with the same movement and continues to progress. The strike situation in Colorado remains unchanged. Martial law is now in force in the strike districts there.