Chapter Two

The Knights of Labor Years, 1885 -1897 also known as ***** or The Five Stars

Boards for the sawmills

The Knights of Labor was the next and first highly successful, organized labor association in La Crosse.  They were able to bind together unionists and workers of the La Crosse area.  Lumbering and its’ associated industries and services was widespread at this time.  This industry was the first large employer of the citizens of La Crosse.  It employed thousands of men in many lumber and shingle mills by the last half of the nineteenth century, and in the associated trades.  The lumber industry would be the source of many workers that eventually would join the Knights of Labor, and other unions in La Crosse.  Before detailing that event, a little background on the Knights is in order.  Terence Vincent Powderly, Grand Master of the Noble Order of the Knights of Labor in 1886, wrote a preface to a work on the history of labor by John Cameron Simonds.  Bear in mind, this work related union history and went into print when the infant AFL was just beginning life.  Terence Powderly was born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania on January 24, 1849.  Attending school from age seven until thirteen, he became a switch tender for the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company.  After four years of labor at that job, he became an apprentice in the machine shops of that company for three additional years, becoming a machinist.  In 1869 he went to work at Scanton, Pennsylvania for the Delaware, Lakawanna and Western Railroad, becoming President of the Machinists’ and Blacksmiths’ union there.  In November of 1874 he joined the Knights of Labor Assembly No. 88 and in November of 1876 he induced his union to form Local Assembly No. 222.  In January of 1879 he succeeded Uriah Stephans who had become very ill and could not continue as General Worthy Master of the Knights.  Elected Mayor of Scranton in 1878, he was to die in 1924.  He led the Knights from 1879 until 1893. ^[36]

In the introduction to Simonds book, Powderly writes, “The prospect for the future of the laboring man in America is brighter today than it ever was, not withstanding the seemingly strained relations [authors’ emphasis] at present existing between employer and employee.  That we are passing through an epidemic of strikes, lockouts and boycotts, is true, but the fact must not be lost sight of, that were it not for the growing power of organization we should have a great more strikes to contend with than we have had for the first three months of the present year.  The growth of organization for the past ten years has been steady and healthy.  It is only where organization is in its infancy that serious strikes and lockouts exist.” ^[37]   All of this knowledge and labor history predating the AFL, which was just founded in 1886, so by laying the foundation for what was to come.

The Noble Order of the Knights of Labor was founded in Philadelphia in 1869 and kept as a secret order.  Fear of repression and dismissal caused the workers to keep their existence secret.  Uriah Stevens a member of the Garment Cutters’ Union of that town, called a meeting with several other members of his union and after several preliminary meetings, the Knights were formed at Stevens’ home on Thanksgiving Day, 1869.  The Knights were founded on the principle that all race, creeds and colors were to be represented equally.  For the first years of existence the group was known to the public at The Five Stars, Chalking five asterisks on the face of their meeting places, * * * * *.  Adopting the official name the Knights of Labor in 1871, by 1878 the leaders decided it was time to go public.  So in June of that year they sent out notices and at a mass meeting formed Assembly No. 1, in Philadelphia.  This first National Labor Organization was very progressive and modern in its’ policies and by 1881 had admitted women as equals to the Assemblies, which now had spread to many other states. ^[38]  

These assemblies were lead by officers that were designated as, Master Workman, Worthy Workman, Venerable Sage (retired Master Workman), Recording and Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Worthy Inspector, Almoner, Unknown Knight, Inside and Outside Esquires, Insurance Solicitor and three trustees.  Cigar-makers were not allowed to be Knights of Labor, unless they agreed to drop A.F.L. affiliation first. 

The preamble of the Knights spoke of the need to stem the uneven distribution of wealth and direct more of it to the working class.  Their agenda included the following goals.  Establish bureaus of labor statistics.  That public lands be held in trust for all, not another acre for the Rail Roads, or Speculators uses.  It sought legislation to safeguard the health and safety of miners, manufacturers, builders and other workers.  The recognition of Trade Unions as a right of the workers was a right being demanded.  The establishment of a law forbidding the use of child labor in mines, workshops and factories finding strong support among all Knights.  Outlawing the use of convict labor.  The creation of a graduated taxation system on income being thought integral to the needs of organized labor at this time of our nation’s history by the Knights.  Mandated arbitration laws for workers.

Interestingly, the Knights also were forward thinking on national issues as well, calling for the national government to own all telegraph, telephones and railroads.  A rather socialistic plan, but sought due to the abuses and injustices being witnessed on a daily basis by the workers and their families by the affluent and powerful owners of these essential industries.  They also demanded that Congress prohibit the importation of contract foreign labor, create a safe banking system for the people using the U.S. post office, and secure equal pay for both sexes for equal work.  They also asked for an eight-hour workday. ^[39]

The author of The Story of Manual Labor, summed up the current (1886) status of the Knights of Labor with this concluding paragraph, The Knights of Labor may fail, but whether the organization dies or lives, it has taught a lesson which will never be forgotten as long as man shall earn his bread by the sweat of his brow.  It has demonstrated the overmastering power of a national combination among workingmen.  If the Knights of Labor were to dissolve tomorrow, on the next day a new society would be formed to push on their work.  No fair man can object to the ends, which they propose.  Labor must win, and the sooner we all come to a realizing sense of this fact the better it will be for America. ^[40]

The Knights did not die in 1886, but by the 1890’s were on their way out.  The A.F.L. was the next national organization to take up the challenge of workers’ rights.  As to the goals of the Knights of Labor, the sad truth of the matter is, we are still toiling and still laboring to win these same goals today!  La Crosse embraced Knights of Labor Assemblies when offered the opportunity by Knights of Labor representatives sent to this area.  Based on the numbering system used by this nationwide labor organization the Knights first organized La Crosse workers around 1882 or 1883, when assemblies numbered 2466, 3162 and 3987 were chartered in La Crosse.  These assemblies may have been comprised of railroad, carpenters, or lumber mill workers or a mixture of these and other workers.  All that can be said with any certainty is that these three Knights of Labor Assemblies were in existence prior to the birth of Assemblies number 4989 and 4990 in La Crosse early in 1885.                                           

The newspapers of the era note first the appearance of the Knights of Labor in La Crosse in issues published in December of 1885.   A representative of the Knights contacted workers on the cities’ north side and began handing out handbills to passersby advertising a speech that would take place that same Monday afternoon, December 21.  Colonel Charles A. Lincoln of New London, Wisconsin, the Knights of Labor representative, attracted hundreds of interested workers who attended his speech at the opera hall on the north side of town.  Speaking on the topic of  “American Labor and American Finances,” he was frequently interrupted with applause and enjoyed the apparent support of all the workers that made up the audience.   In fact so many men, women, and children crowded into the hall, that many had to stand for the entire speech, which lasted for two hours! ^[41]   A local paper gives Odd Fellows’ Hall, as the location of this first meeting and states that Mr. Lincoln appeared in a costume befitting that of a primitive woodsman.  It further states that he proceeded to blast anyone with an accumulation of money and also paid a flattering tribute to Mayor Powell.  It seems Vanderbilt and Gould were featured targets of the evening and all monopolies in general.  The paper ended with this warning, “ The result of the orders establishment in La Crosse cannot be foretold, but we predict the tug of war next summer, when all our laboring classes are all employed.  It is their custom to raise wages when they think it ought to be done.” ^[42]  

One of the local supporters, Alderman Mathias Wannebo, a millwright and local businessman offered his hall (still situated at 1132 Caledonia Street) for a repeat performance that evening.  The context of the speech was that if workers wished to gain either wage increases or improved job conditions, they had to form collective bodies of workers to negotiate with their employers successfully.  Mr. Lincoln recommended the Knights of Labor as the organization to assist them to accomplish this task.  Upon the end of his speeches Mr. Lincoln invited all interested parties to stay after and begin the process of forming a local assembly.  Sixty persons remained behind and went into a private meeting and began forming a local chapter of the Knights of Labor. ^[43]   An article appearing in the December 22, issue of a local paper warned the workers of La Crosse not to fall under the spell or influence of those that would desire the destruction of all capitalists and urged them to instead seek redress through the medium of local, state and national politics, by the ballot and lobbying of their elected officials. ^[44]  Additionally the editor of the republican newspaper also had an editorial that warned the workmen of La Crosse against embracing too fervently this organizer from the Knights, citing an article from the Chicago News of December 21, 1885; which forecast a great labor agitation in May of 1886! ^[45]

      A Chicago newspaper reported that they had interviewed a local socialist labor leader, and the La Crosse republican newspaper editor to demonstrate the strong socialistic view he felt this organization held, reprinted the quotes.  The editor noted, that this labor leader predicted possible violence if the Knights of Labor did not win the Eight Hour Day campaign in 1886! Prophetically, this would indeed come true!  However, the article was reprinted to scare off local workers by playing on their fears.  Citing the Chicago paper he reprinted the following; “Before that date, every employer in the United States will have received ample notice that the law fixing eight hours as a legal days’ work, must be enforced or all the wheels of every productive industry will be stopped.” Asked by the Chicago reporter whether the knights of labor could field enough workers in May to win the Eight Hour Day effort the socialist responded, “ the organization is so general and so effective as to be beyond dispute.  The records of the knights of labor will show initiations of over 500,000 workers, and, though there may have been some depreciation of the rolls in times of peace, they would rapidly fill up again in the emergency that a refusal to concede the eight-hour demand that would at once precipitate upon the country.”

     Concluding this activist summed up with his viewpoint on American workers saying, “Americans as a class are selfish to the point of cowardice in labor matters.  The native gives his whole desire and attention to the benefit of the individual and he is not disposed, nor does he make any personal sacrifices for the good of the class of which he is one.  There is no unity among the Americans as workingmen, and that explains the   fact that they have been crowded out of their rights as workingmen, but it is not so with the Irish, the Germans, the Scandinavians, the Poles, and other nationalities from abroad. They are always ready to fight, and fight they will for eight hours as a days’ work, if fighting should be necessary.” ^[46]  

From George Read ^[47] editor of the Daily News, came the prediction that the fifth ward of the city would soon form a chapter of the Knights Of Labor. The group was expected to send an organizer to town very soon.  Not to be left out, the workers from the Southside asked for meetings with Mr. Lincoln.  And on Wednesday, December 23, he spoke at Bohemian Hall.  Enough interest was shown by these workers that one or possibly two more assemblies were expected to be necessary. ^[48]   Interest in pursuing the creation of Knights of Labor assemblies continued and Mr. Lincoln held additional meetings on Saturday the 26^th both taking place at Wannebo’s Hall.    That evening his speech was titled Land, Pauper and Prison Labor and Finances. Crowded to its’ limits, the appreciative audience again frequently applauded and interrupted his speech.  At the conclusion Chairman Charles Bennett asked for the withdrawal of all those not interested in joining the Knights of Labor and after this happened, over one hundred men stayed behind and conducted another organizing session. ^[49]   Yet another meeting took place at Solberg’s Hall on Wednesday December 30, when around three hundred men gathered to hear an address by Mr. Richard Trevellic of Detroit, Michigan.  When he did not appear, Mr. Lincoln took over and addressed the gathering.  He discussed such items as a scheme for the bonding of a city project to fund the Losey Boulevard project of up-town sewer systems and called them nothing less than highway robbery.  At the conclusion of his speech he invited all except, attorneys, saloon keepers and gamblers to stay after and join the Knights of Labor.  Mayor Powell presided at this meeting and was made an honorary member of the Assembly along with organizer Charles Lincoln.   

     In response to this outpouring of interest, the Knights of Labor agreed to send their national organizer (responsible for all of the United States and Canada) Captain Trevellic of Detroit, Michigan to La Crosse to help with the work.  Trevellic was once again, scheduled to appear at Solberg’s Hall this time on Tuesday, January 5^th.  He could not keep this appointment because of a delayed train connection in Chicago.  Mr. Lincoln stepped in and took over the speaking duties successfully.  Rufus N. Moody a carpenter from Eau Claire, Wisconsin was now sent by the Knights to formally charter the local Assemblies.  On January 8, he formed the White Beaver Assembly at a meeting held at Wannebo’s Hall, this Assembly comprised of the north side workers.  On Friday January 9, he formed the Lincoln Assembly, made up of the workers of the south side of town. ^[50]    The Assembly founding meeting was so heavily attended that the hall doors had to be locked to keep the crowd from overfilling the rooms. ^[51]

The movement was beginning to be very widespread and being a very progressive organization, it soon was extending its’ membership base to include all the women of the community.  On Thursday, January 14, at Wannebos’ Hall a meeting for these woman was held and a list was made of all interested in the movement with the goal of forming an all-women assembly in La Crosse, soon. ^[52]

The La Crosse Daily News was by now, an official organ of the Knights of Labor and it revisited an issue from the Shoe and Boot makers strike of 1863, when it printed, “Occasionally one is heard to grumble because the Knight Of Labor desire to have wages paid once a week instead of once a month.  And why should they not thus the pay?   There are rogues in all classes of society.  Grocers and Butchers suffer most by the monthly payment system, and next to them the honest workman.  Rogues cheat, failing to pay, and honest men have to help make up the deficiency, or else the creditor goes to the wall.   If the honest workers had their pay once a week, the money would go further, and with the small credit the dishonest was could not do much harm. - Sauk Co. Democrat. ^[53]  

During the year that the Knights were organizing the workers of La Crosse the workweek across the nation and in the area, ran from 52 hours a week up to 60.  Wages were being paid to plumbers at the rate of $3.28 (54 hour week) and $2.46 a day to carpenters and joiners, who worked a 58-hour week.  Farm labor earned $1.63 a day for a 63-hour week on the average and plasterers were earning $2.58 a day for their 52 hour a week labors.  The dollar was fixed at 70.8 cents. ^[54]   The Knights of Labor national newspaper notes that an assembly was formed in La Crosse in July of 1886, known as the Humboldt Assembly Number 8242.

First Central Body of Organized Labor Formed in La Crosse

The Grand Labor Council was the first effort to unite the Knights of Labor unions, farmers’ groups and AFL unions of the Coulee Region.  The Grand Labor Council of La Crosse came into being in October of 1891.  Several AFL unions had been chartered in La Crosse by this time, the American Federation of Labor (A.F.L.) itself being founded in Columbus, Ohio on December 8, 1886.  The AFL had succeeded the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions, which lasted from November 15, 1881 until being replaced by the AFL ^[55] .  Samuel Gompers, the father of the AFL had been instrumental in the work and formation of both organizations. ^[56]   Finally in La Crosse the unions of both the Knights of Labor and the AFL affiliates choose to work together in harmony for the betterment of the community’s workers.  The Knights of Labor, admittedly a more progressive organization being all-inclusive of workers, regardless of gender or race, and the AFL, which at this time was, yet a single crafts oriented

body of tradesmen.  

Have Joined Hands, Labor Unions and Knights of Labor to Work in Harmony.  They Organize A New Society.  It Will Be Known as Grand Labor Union- Officers Elected ran the headings in the newspaper story in October of 1891. ^[57]

The Grand Labor Council was formed from a coalition of the Knights of Labor and the Trades Union assembly of La Crosse early in the month of October.   Boycotts, strikes and lockouts, were cited as the reason for the formation of this labor body.  The principal labor organization behind this initiative was the Knights of Labor Assembly No. 4990.   Inviting three delegates from each labor union throughout the city, discussions began and resulted in the creation of the council.  These delegates agreed upon by-Laws, a constitution, and rules of order.  Taking this information back to their unions, votes were taken and the members accepted and approved the formation of the council.  James Collins was elected as the first President, Frank Mathias was chosen as Secretary.  Mathias was a member of Cigar makers Local 61.  Even while this body was being created, the Knights of Labor were still advancing their cause in La Crosse by forming another Assembly of Bohemians (20 charter members) at White Beaver Hall, on October 15. 

The Grand Labor Council would exist for only six years.   The men that served as the Councils’ President during the last five years were, 1892; Leonard Stallman (Cigar makers Local 61), 1893; Fred Snell, 1894; Leonard Stallman (Cigar makers Local 61), 1895;  Frank Grebner, and in the last year of its’ existence, 1896; the president was Frank Dunscombe.  At the time of its’ last year in existence the following unions comprised the membership of the Grand Labor Council, Typographical Union No. 274, Stone Masons Union No. 4, Hod-carriers Union No. 1, Brewers Union No. 81, Barbers Union No. 91, Cigar makers Union No. 61, Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Union No. 472, Woodworkers Union No. 35, Clerks Union No. 103, Coopers Union No. 39, Horse-shoer’s Union No. 52, Teamsters Union No. 560, Plumbers Union No. 31, Tailors Union No. 66 and, Molder’s Union No. 70.  The following Railroad Brotherhoods were members, Locomotive Engineers Division 13, Switchmen’s Union Gateway City Lodge 44, Railroad Carmen Union No. 5, Order of Railroad Conductors La Crosse Division 61, Locomotive Firemen Guard Rail Lodge 176, and Railway Trainmen Gateway City Lodge 168.  The Knights of Labor had five Assemblies, Scandia Assembly 2466, Humboldt Assembly 8242 ^[58] , Gateway Assembly 4999 ^[59] , Northern Star Assembly 3987 and Norden Assembly 3162 ^[60] .  The Farmer’s Alliance was also affiliated during the years the Council was in existence and was an important member of that group.

Wages of 1891 were as follows, plumbers $2.87, bricklayers $3.51, farm labor $1.37, hod-carriers $1.77, painters $2.09, stonemasons $3.18, plasterers $3.20 and stationary engineers earned $2.26.  Workweeks ran from 48 hours a week for the plumbers and stationary engineers worked a week of 63 hours. The dollars buying power was fixed at 76 cents ^[61] to better judge what these daily wages meant to the worker and family during the year of 1891, it is necessary to look at the average prices for goods during this period.  A five pound bag of flour cost 15 cents, Round steak meat cost around 12 cents per pound, while pork chops went for 11 cents a pound and bacon 12 to 23 cents a pound.  A pound of butter cost 27 cents and a dozen eggs were 22 cents.  A gallon of milk (delivered) cost 27 cents and a five-pound bag of sugar ran 30 cents. ^[62]  

The La Crosse Trane Company and the Early Plumbers Union

Shortly after the initial formation of the Grand Labor Council, a labor dispute involving the newly organized plumbers and steamfitters arose.  The James A. Trane Company hired a nonunion plumber and Local 31 (one year old) ordered the remaining union plumbers to walk out.   This dispute arose when the two union workers that had been installing the steam heating apparatus at the State Bank, received a telegram calling them home on business in their home state of Minnesota.  Trane himself was in Austin, Minnesota and when notified of the work stoppage, send word to his staff here locally to employ another plumber to finish the job on time.   When Local 31 heard about the nonunion man put on the job, they called out the remaining union men on other Trane projects until the nonunion man was removed from the State Bank project.  Meeting with newspaper reporters the union officials explained their point of view and stated that the problem was not simply that the nonunion worker was employed at the project, but that he was an unemployed bricklayer who was not skilled in the field of either plumbing or steam fitting.  Upon the request of the master plumbers association, other union plumbers of the city walked off the job.  The man in question was given an opportunity to join the union as a steamfitter’s helper, but he declined to do so.  This was an early case, which arose from a contractor trying to keep to a written contract, and a union trying to maintain competent craftsmen employed in their skilled trade.  Both sides had to sit down and discuss the issues before this dispute was resolved. ^[63]

Planting early seeds of Labor/Management Initiatives

Prior to the formation of the Grand Labor Council, and just about the same time as the Pullman Railroad strikes were breaking out in Illinois, La Crosse workers were experiencing an example of outstanding good will from their employer.  On Saturday, May 2 1891, the Salzer Seed Company hosted an excursion and picnic for all of their companies’ employees.  John A. Salzer had started his company just a few years prior to this event and was already noted as being a liberal and fair-minded employer.  His firm had grown to be the third largest seed company in the United States.  Employing one hundred and fifty employees, the invitation drew over one hundred attendees.  Gathering at the foot of Adam Street (which was just a few blocks from the business) the men and women boarded a special Burlington train that the Salzers’ chartered for the picnic and excursion.  The engine pulled up with two passenger coaches decorated with flags and bunting and a banner reading SALZER SEED COMPANY.  Pulling out shortly after nine in the morning the train reached Grand Crossing and was switched over to the freight line and ran out to a level field at the foot of Granddad’s Bluff.  Leaving the train the workers spread out among the trees and enjoyed themselves in such things as a ball game and other outdoor games, provided for them.

A tent had been set up and tables were inside loaded with food and refreshments.  At four in the afternoon a lunch was served and Manager Henry A. Salzer rose and spoke to the guests.  He announced to the workers that the company had decided to distribute among their workers 12 percent of the annual profits of this company.  The workers were to receive an envelope with this bonus, based on their assessed skills and their time on the job.  Inside the envelope was a note that read, Please accept the enclosed token of our appreciation of your services of the past season, Respectfully, John A. Salzer Seed Company.  This bonus met with loud cheers and approval and shortly afterwards the train arrived and transported the workers back to town. 

When the short work season of this company is taken into consideration, it being only from December until June, this magnanimous gesture is even more amazing to ponder. ^[64]

First Labor Day and Labor Day Parade in City (AFL and Knights of Labor unions)

The beginning of Labor Day Celebrations and Labor Day Parades were the direct result of the competent leadership and guidance of the Local Knights of Labor.  Labor Day was created by an act of congress in 1894.  However, the first serious celebration of Labor Day in La Crosse occurred three years prior to the federal holiday, on Monday September 7, 1891.  United Labor Rules, Is Known As Artisan’s Day was the headline in the La Crosse Daily Press newspaper of Monday, September 7, 1891.  The story went on to say: La Crosse witnesses an unusual spectacle today as all the unions’ turnout for a parade honoring union workers.  For in the past only one or two of the city’s unions and perhaps thirty or forty men had publicly honored the day.   Union leaders in New York City had initiated the event beginning in 1882.  They staged a Labor Day Parade on Tuesday, September 5. 

The union members in La Crosse apparently attempted to follow their lead during the interval of 1882-1890 but were not able to elicit much local interest.  In 1891 almost twenty unions turned out to commemorate the holiday and their numbers were estimated to run into the hundreds, reaching as high as six hundred marchers during the parade. 

Marching under the flag of labor through the city, a carriage containing Mayor Copeland, ex-mayor Dengler, B. Berlyn and Theodore Stallman, headed the parade.  Rudolf and Reese’s Band followed this carriage. Cigar makers Union Local 31 (Knights) was next and they were attired in white vests and stiff hats, followed by the Journeymen Tailor’s Union Local 66 (AFL).  Bricklayers and Masons-helpers Union Local 1 (AFL) was next and these men were dressed in outfits of blue shirts and jean pants.  The Nickel-Plate Fife and Drum Corps followed them.  Next came the Stonecutters Union Local 4 (AFL), and the Plumbers Local 31 (AFL), whose members wore, white, felt hats and carried canes made up of gas pipe. 

Also made up for their parade unit, the plumbers and gas fitters had constructed a frame for a silk banner displaying their union logo, out of pipe and gas fittings weighing some thirty-five pounds.  Faucets and spigots added amusement to the sight of this piece of work.   Machinery Molders Union Local 70 (AFL) appeared in line next followed by the Carpenters and Joiners Union Local 335 (Knights and AFL) and then came the Journeymen’s Masons Union Local 4 (AFL).  The La Crosse Cornet band trooped along next followed by the Teamsters Union Local 560 (AFL). 

Some of the various unions comprising the Knights of Labor finished up the rest of the contingent.  Due to the large number of sawmills and lumber workers that were employed in their occupation this day, there number appearing in the parade was less than what had been hoped for. 

The papers of the day reported that thousands of citizens viewed the parade.  Public relations and publicity for the labor movement was taken advantage of during this parade, because the units carried many banners during this parade, smoke only union made cigars, deference, not defiance, united we stand, divided we fall, eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, and eight hours for one week will, to work by the piece or work by the day! Decreasing the hours increases the pay, nine hours work for a full day’s pay, fidelity, education, benevolence and production, a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay, and finally a sign reading on a horse drawn wagon reading Reins in hand on the wagon we stand, bold as a king, for youth$3.00 we sing.  

The line of march of this first Labor Day parade was Market Square north to Pearl Street, west to Front street, north to Main street, east to 11^th street, south to Cass street, west to Fifth street and finally south to Germania Garden.   This is where the parade dissolved and after the bands had played a patriotic song, Mayer Copeland was introduced and made the following speech: “Both as mayor of the city of La Crosse and a private citizen, I am pleased to take part in the exercises of a holiday, which has been set apart by you, a class of our people said form the real foundation upon which this great country has been built and must rest.   What would be our condition if none of us performed any labor!  We would have to live in a country where neither food nor raiment would be required.   In this country of ours, labor is represented in everything nearly to its full value.    The law material costs almost nothing.  We will for instance our new city hall.    What do you suppose the raw material for the complete building would cost?  Almost nothing.  Nature has given us this raw material free, the sand and clay for the brick, the stone and the tree in the forest; now you add to these the labor necessary to put this raw material into shape so we can use it, and you will find that labor is represented to nearly its full value.

      I once heard of a man who offered to sell the raw material for one million wagons for five cents a wagon and another man took up his offer. No. 2 thought he had made a great trade until he went after his wagon stock; he supposed he would get the timber for the axles, the hubs, spokes, and felloes, gotten out in the rough and the iron to put the wagon together, and you can imagine his surprise   when No. 1 told him that the wood for the wagons was in yonder tree, his iron was down in the ground, all he had to do was boom mostly to add the labor to them and he would have is wagon stock that he thought he was buying; so that really an article is worth but a trifle more than the labor that it cost to produce it.   But labor does not necessarily mean work done with the hands there must be some brain work employed to design and instruct the hands also capital that is required is merely the produce of labor; all have got to work in harmony for us to prosper. 

I presume few of our citizens realize how much of our city owns to laboring people, La Crosse has been very fortunate in having so little strife between capital and labor and from the fact our citizens have put their money into our fine buildings and enterprises with a sense of security.

Now our main object is to get the other fellows money. We cannot make him give it to us for nothing, and surely he will not give it to us of his own accord, so we must find something that he is willing to trade his money for.  He wants to put up a building, or he wants to manufacture something to sell; he must have your labor, and is ready to exchange his money for your labor providing the product of your labor with his own will bring him a little more than he has paid you.  I heard it remarked on the street several times last week that there were few, if any, places where all the people were so well dressed and looked so well fed, as our people in La Crosse, and everybody was wearing such a good natured smile, and I hold this will always the said of us.  Their is so much that can be said that there is really no stopping point, therefore I will give way to others, who will be more interesting for you to listen to, and will close by saying that La Crosse is proud of her laboring people, and if you will work for the interest of your employers as you would expect others to work for you, there will never be any strife between labor and capital in this city.”

Following Mayor Copeland on the stand was Mr. Berlyn, of Chicago who spoke for an hour.  He addressed the many social and labor issues of the day such as opposing child labor, equal pay for women, and sweatshops.  He invited the learned men of the city to speak at labor meetings and urged the union workers of the city to support the labor movement by buying union made products whenever possible.  He spoke in favor of establishing circulating libraries for the workingman and condemned the press for allegations of misrepresentations of unionists as labor agitators.  The President of the Labor Council, Leonard Stallman made a few remarks and the crowd dispersed and went to their homes for an evening meal.  They returned to Germainia Hall later that evening for a grand ball. ^[65]  

Four hundred people attended the ball that evening, and filled the dance floor to its’ capacity.  Rudolf and Reese’s Band provided the music for the evening.  Mr. Berlyn of Chicago spoke once again and added some instructions to the mothers of children in his speech this time.  Al Major and Frank Killian served as floor managers for the event. ^[66]   The Republican newspaper of the day noted that the workers shouldered muskets to defend their country when needed and that they marched in step to patriotic music during this parade and showed no socialistic traits in either their speeches or banners.  The editor thought the workmen made a good impression on everyone. ^[67]

The Grand Labor Council had plenty of labor dispute issues prior to the next Labor Day celebration in La Crosse. In March the carpenters went out on strike.  Not a union hammer has descended since eight o’ clock ran a heading in the Daily Press of March 31.   Meetings held at the Knights of Labor hall attracted nearly two hundred carpenters and they agreed to ask for a nine-hour day, wages of 25 and 30 cents per hour and recognition of the union as their demands.  The bosses meanwhile gathered at the Builders Exchange and planned their response. ^[68]   Soon the Knights of Labor and the other La Crosse AFL unions planned a public show of support for these mill workers and it was decided to hold a mass meeting on April 10 at the Knights of Labor Hall. 

Several hundred union members gathered there and then marched en masse to the Armory Hall.  The striking carpenters leading the procession, banners flying.  Upon arriving at Armory Hall, they joined additional hundreds of citizens until the crowd numbered over six hundred, including many women.  The Knights of Labor brought in Mr. Frank Frye of Marinette to serve as the featured speaker for the evening.  He announced to those gathered there that he would give a speech titled, why should Labor Be Organized?  In this speech he explained to the workers that every other group in America was already organized.  He pointed to the bankers, doctors, lawyers, courts, churches, and railroads as examples.  He noted that all these groups worked to profit their advocates financially and then asked the workers why they should not do likewise. 

He also illustrated the point that it is not the employed that set the wages as much as it is the unemployed that affect wages the most.  He advised workers to insist that their unions work to admit only skilled tradesmen into their organizations to ensure success in improving marketability of their particular labor.  He further stated that trained union workers would encourage the spread of the acceptance of union workers over nonunion workers.  The Knights of Labor and La Crosse AFL unions also gave notice at this time that they had purchased La Crosse Times newspaper and would replace it with a labor press to be titled, The Voice of the People.  Not so coincidentally the editor of this paper was to be none other than Mr. Frank Frye of Marinette.  This was to be a daily paper, publication to begin in April of 1892. ^[69]  

This strike now continued for some three weeks and caused nearly a complete cessation of building projects within the city.  The crux of the matter was the demand of the carpenters as set forth in a resolution given to the employers in this form, We the undersigned contractors, builders and owners of shops and factories where carpenters and joiners are employed, do hereby agree to pay to every average workman belonging to the local unions No. 335, 472 of the North Side, of the carpenters and joiners of the City of La Crosse, twenty-five cents per hour, and that nine hours shall constitute a day’s work and bind ourselves not to employ any non-union men any longer than eight days.  The employer’s group balked at agreeing to this resolution until the unions agreed to the following changes.  Resolved, That two lower rates of wages per hour be hereby established for union men who, after undergoing am impartial test, shall not be found able to pass as average workmen; said rates of wages shall be 22 and one half cents per hour for those second below average workmen; and Resolved further, That a committee shall be appointed, consisting of two competent good workmen of the union, two competent contractors and builders, and one respectable citizen, the latter to be chosen by the former four, said committee shall have power to impartially adjust all disputes between employer and employee regarding the ability of workmen and their claims to wages.  Resolved further, That every contractor or builder employing not over six union journeymen, shall be entitled to keep one apprentice for every additional six union journeymen, and in conclusion.  Resolved, that the above agreement and amendment to the same, shall be in force for one year, beginning form date.

This agreement was expected to profit both sides.  Mr. W.F. Abrams, a member of the Executive Board of the National Carpenters Union arrived in La Crosse from Detroit to assist the men.  He studied the resolutions and encouraged the men to submit them to the bosses with his support for approving them. ^[70]   So ended the dispute, for on April 20^th the union and employers agreed to the resolution and amendment.

 

10-Hour Day Won – Lumber Mill Workers Strike

Then, just as soon as this strike ended another began.  On April 20^th, A.W. Trow and Co.’s Lumber Mill saw trouble begin when the union workers asked for a reduction in the work day of from eleven hours to ten hours per day.  The demand was denied and the mill shut down. ^[71]    The very next day, A.S. Trow and Co. Agreed to the demand and established the ten hour day.  Holway’s Mill on the same day saw its workers make the same demand.  All the other mills acceded to the ten-hour day cause; Mr. Paul’s foreman discharged two men, allegedly for not doing their work.  The Labor Council issued a warning that a strike would occur if these men were not taken back on the job. ^[72]   Mr. Paul did not agree with this ultimatum and did not allow the men to return. 

By the next day, over two hundred and fifty employees of the John Paul Lumber Company were out on strike.  They left the shops in masse and marched down the labor headquarters.  The Chronicle newspaper reported that the teamsters were said to have left their teams standing in harness when they struck, but the public was notified by the Daily Press newspaper the following day that in reality they cared for the teams and placed them in the barns before departing on the strike. ^[73] Loading crews left railroad cars half filled and office personnel had to take over the tasks.  The union men quickly telegraphed the Headquarters of the Knights of Labor, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and explained the situation and received permission to call a strike. ^[74]   The union issued a circular to the public, which read, ‘To The Public-Why We Are Blacklisted.  We, the employees of John Paul & Co., finding that a secret system of blacklist and discharge was being imposed on all our comrades who have exercised their constitutional right to organize for their own protection, the same as has been practiced by our employers, have through our duly authorized agents sent in our protest against this gross and un-American injustice, and asked that the matter be arbitrated.  Our appeal being met with a positive refusal and insult, we therefore realizing that in protection to our most sacred principle of American citizenship, Equal rights to all and special privileges to none, do feel the necessity of taking our places along side of our blacklisted comrades, collectively and simultaneously instead of gradually and individually as we have been compelled to do heretofore.  We also ask that the influence of and sympathy of our fellow-townsmen be extended to us during our stand for our principles and enforced idleness.  Respectfully yours for the cause of right, The Employees of The John Paul &Co.’ ^[75]

The men also made two demands of their employer, the restoration of jobs to the discharged men and the promise of continued work for them, and a general raise of one and one half cent a day, for all men currently earning $1.50 a day or less. ^[76]   The mill owner’s answer was quick in coming, for the next day all the mills in both La Crosse and Onalaska shut down.  This threw somewhere from fifteen hundred to two thousand men out of work.  The Lumbermen’s Exchange did this because they were aware of the movement in La Crosse to call a general strike on May 1 by the Knights of Labor, and wished to force the issue instead of waiting.  The Knights of Labor had a strike assistance fund available which would pay single men $4 a week and married men $5 a week while out on an approved strike, or at least the union wanted the owners to believe it would. ^[77]

Mayor Copeland ^[78] quickly agreed to act as a mediator and arranged a meeting with Mr. Collins, President of the Grand Labor Council.  At this meeting the Knights of Labor representative agreed to appoint a labor committee of a dozen representatives to meet with the mill owners on Thursday morning.  On Thursday morning a the committee along with Mr. Fryre of the local labor press met with the Mayor and the Lumbermen’s group, and explained the situation to them, detailing the demands of the workmen to them.  The men were asking for a ten hour work day, a raise of one and one half cents per day for all men earning $1.50 or less, and lastly, no indiscriminate firing without just cause.  Then the men left and after a short meeting, the mill owners took a stand to keep the mills closed.  The union leaders learned this from a meeting with the Mayor that evening, and stated their intent to remain out on strike for as long as was necessary to win their demands. ^[79]

A meeting on Friday (where Mr. Paul addressed the workman while standing on a log ^[80] ) resulted in Mr. Copeland agreeing to rehire one of the discharged men, admitting that he was fired because he had left his work and circulated among the other men informing them of the Mill Workers Union.  One of the discharged men had now left town and the other man Mr. Copeland refused to take back.  The workers meet and passed another resolution in which they publicly stuck to all three of their demands. ^[81]   The union men were solidly supportive of their strike and their cause, they reported that they had signed up 150 new members into the Knights of Labor on Monday and Tuesday and expected more to join as the strike continued.  Said one union local official, “It is a case of union against union, it is a union of capital against a union of labor.  We are in this to stay and believe that we will win.  We have sent in our demands and we will hold for their acceptance if it takes all summer.” ^[82]

Now the press as an agent of agitation in the strike introduced the local physician George Powell.  He agreed to speak to a reporter and made the following statements, I am no more responsible for this strike than you are.  I have given no advice leading to it, and have not been consulted outside of chance conversation with patients or friendly callers, and in all such cases I have said the men ought to meet their employers either by a committee or personally, fix up the trouble and get to work again.  I am in favor with all of my heart of the laborer getting every penny his work is worth, and if I could help him to the extent of his reasonable demands, I would.  George Powell also cautioned the workers against humiliating the employer simply to benefit the leaders of the Knights of Labor, if there was no legitimate reason to continue the strike. ^[83]  

The union continued to stick to its’ demand of no discharges for insufficient cause and the Mill owners agreed to a ten hour work day and the one and one half cent an hour wage raise, but nothing else.  They cited labor statistics that showed this would cause them to be offering higher wages than those currently being paid in Dubuque and Lansing, Iowa, where mill hands were earning $1.35 for 11 hours work.  Other unions in La Crosse now witnessed their members going out on strike for wage improvements, Hod-carriers asked for 23 cents an hour for a 9 hour day and Italians working on the local Railroads struck for a wage of $1.50 a day up from the $1.25 they were earning. ^[84]

Issuing a public statement through the papers on May 4, the mill owners announced that they would start up the mills again on May 5.  They stated that they would honor the ten hour day, pay the same wages as offered last year and would hire and fire as they saw fit, but not discriminate between union and nonunion men when doing so. ^[85]   True to their word, the Mill owners opened up two mills in Onalaska with full crews.  Mr. Collins of the Grand Labor Council stated, Should the mills attempt to run, filling the places of the strikers with scabs, the people would see a neat strike in which all labor organizations would take part and from which there would be no compromise. ^[86]   Strikers set up watches around the mills taking names of those going to work, in hopes of persuading them to honor the strike when they could speak with them.  Mills still were short of men and were not able to operate at full capacity. ^[87]   Attempts at arbitration were made on May 6 but nothing was settled, almost all of the union men stayed out and honored the strike on this day. ^[88]   Internal strife among the meetings of the Knights of Labor was reported in the local press on May 8.  It was reported that the strikers had received only one dollar from the strike fund, which amounted to their initiation fee.   Reports came in that workers in Desoto and Prairie du Chien were anxious to have the mill jobs in La Crosse. ^[89]  

Another rumor started in the city was to the effect that if the strike continue, Mr. Collins President of the Grand Labor Council would personally profit from its’ continuance as it was known he was receiving either $6 or $8 dollars a day during the dispute in salary and expenses.  He replied in print and stated, “I only wish I was getting it, {he replied with a twinkle in his eye} I don’t care to refute the story, but I am not getting that or any amount for my services.”  In this same issue, the attitude of Mr. Paul was expressed by the following quotes, “Mr. Collins, the less said about unions the better it would be for all concerned, the mill owners are not dealing with unions, but their employees.” ^[90]

The north side Photographer, Frank Spettle of 306 Caledonia Street was reported to be a organizer and influential member of the local Knights of Labor in a issue of the Daily Press newspaper.  Upon being interviewed by the paper, he stated the true state of the case of the striker’s demands and he urged the Mill Owners to agree to them.  Also reported in this same issue was an article indicating that an official of the National Knights of Labor was in town with a bag of money to distribute to the striking workers.  He was reported to have given each of the strikers a few dollars. ^[91]  

As mentioned earlier, a labor press, The Voice of the People had begun publishing in north La Crosse during this strike, this paper did not survive in any archives that the author is aware of, but the Daily Press reprinted a letter to the editor which is interesting in that it expresses the public opinion of one of the strikers, “I would like to say a few words through the medium of the only labor paper in this city.  I live in La Crosse and have watched with much interest the strike and lockout, and the great conflict of rights now being waged in La Crosse between the workingman on one side and the owners of sawmills on the other.  I am uncompromisingly in favor of the men.  Their demands are just and equitable.  They have no banks or other financial concerns to assist or promise assistance to them.  They can’t say we are abundantly able to sit and wait, and live without doing anything.  They do not control the press of this city, as do the mill owners, if we may judge a man by his public utterances. 

The Morning Chronicle in an editorial May 3, states that workingmen seemed to realize that the claims made by the mill owners that they are paying more than the other mills were paying, was true, but that Mr. Collins, as their spokesman, had no reply except to insist on their demand.  This is an insult thrown in the face of every workingman who is now connected with this matter.  It is an assertion that they are incapable of knowing whether he is right or wrong.  It is an assertion that they are ignorant and irresponsible. It is more, it is a willful injustice done a body of men who toil day after day for a pittance, and who give no inconsiderable part of their earnings to support such leeches as he who penned this infamous sentence, so couched in words as to leave its meaning doubtful.  Ever since this matter arose I have watched the press of this city and invariably find that it misrepresents the situation, quoting at length what the mill men have said in their defense as though it were gospel, putting in a little coloring here and there, where the mill men have missed the point or made a bull of it.  But I have yet to find where they have quoted from the workingmen, or their representatives, and given the public any idea of their side of the question-and yet they claim to be NEWSPAPERS.  They are not!  They never were!  They never will be as long as principle is bartered for the favors of the rich.

The Leader has persistently misrepresented the situation by giving the points favorable to the mill owners and remaining silent with reference to facts favorable to the men.  The Leader and Morning Chronicle are great institutions.  So great indeed that there names have become contemptible to all respectable citizens.  Their editors have appropriated the plans of each other, and today.  Boodler Usher and Ickle Pen Fince are well known personages.  So I do not apprehend that the literature published by them has much influence.  It certainly ought not to have.  They are not only met by all these adverse influences, but there is another element that I have noticed in this connection.  All of the men who are getting a little better than starvation wages, such as sawyers, filers, scaler, straw bosses, bookkeepers, foremen and even some of the paper-collar clerks are against the men.  They are too good, too big, too well fixed to train with the men.  They seem to ignore the fact that they were once common workingmen, and that today they are not half as good as the workingmen.  The men have principle and will not barter it, as did Judas Iscariot.  Judas had principle in one respect, however, knowing his worthlessness he went out and hanged himself, as he ought to have done.

These fellows who are too good to train with the union men, and who throw their influence against the men, fail to see the significant fact that when the mill owners have no use for them that they are unceremoniously fired and their services dispensed with.  The men are right.  They will win if they will fight.  They will fight because they are conscious that they are right.

There is one point that the public seems not to understand clearly.  The mill men say they will reserve the right to hire and discharge their men, and allege that the union would deny them of that right.  The union does nothing of the kind.  What the union does say is that the men shall not be discharged because they are union men.  Quite a difference, is there not, in those propositions, and yet the press of this city has not till this day explained or elucidated this point, nor will it, because such a course would not be in keeping with its past career.

There is another event of considerable significance, which occurred in the Nineteenth ward of this city on the third of this month.  An election was then held to elect an alderman.  There were two nominees, Geo. H. Pierce, Republican, and Geo. HL Taylor, Democrat.  The ward has hitherto been strongly Republican, so much so that it was thought useless to run a Democrat.  Mr. Pierce prides himself o the fact that his is a non-union shop.   During the recent carpenters strike he discharged all his union men.  The election was held and notwithstanding the fact that the ward is Republican he was defeated by 96 to 42.  The workingmen were in it, and have said that no man can run a non-union shop and get their votes, even though they have to change their political faith for the time being.  It shows that the workingman knows what they want and that they are not ignorant as the tinhorn statesman says inferentially.  Yours Respectfully.  Abe Van Linda.” ^[92]

In the same issue under the pseudonym A Union Man, the paper ran a letter, which criticized the President of the Grand Labor Council, John Collins, accusing him of having a bad attitude towards arbitration of the mill strike.  “He is in no sense a laboring man and cannot be in sympathy with them except to line his pockets with money wrung from the poor working men...As a union man I protest that there are no grievances which cannot be satisfactorily adjusted if Mr. Collins will get out of the way and let some real laboring man talk.  He is totally unfit for the place, having neither the respect of the mill owners or the confidence of the strikers.  The very fact that he has blacklisted the three daily papers proves that he fears the effect which the facts upon the other side of the case may have upon the honest fair minded laboring men.  The strikers themselves will soon get their eyes opened and then Mr. Collins is quite likely to hear something drop.” ^[93]  

John Young (wryly signing his rebuttal, A Scab) of 618 North 9^th Street of La Crosse replied to this anonymous letter in the next day’s paper, in strong terms a