Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 March 1886 — RAISING A BOYCOTT. [ARTICLE]

RAISING A BOYCOTT.

Knights of Labor Score a Point Against the Employment of Convict Labor. [Chicago telegram.] The boycott declared by the Illinois Knights of Labor at their convention in Decatur against Phelps, Dodge and Palmer, Selz, Schwab & Co., and C. H. Fargo & Co., boot and shoe dealers of Chicago, was lifted yesterday. The manufacturers came to the terms dictated by the Knights, and signed the following: The disagreement existing between the Knights of Labor of Dlinois and the firm of Phelps, Dodge & Palmer, concerning the employment of convicts in the State Penitentiary for the manufacture of boots and shoes, is, by this agreement, settled. Both parties agree that convict-contract labor should not come in conflict with free labor, and that the interest of the public is better served by its discontinuance. Such being the sentiment of Phelps, Dodge <fc Palmer, they voluntarily agree that they will not, directly or indirectly, renew any of their existing contracts for contract labor; they also agree that they will cancel all their contracts for contract labor with the State of Indiana as soon as the State of Indiana will relieve them from said contracts, or any liability by virtue of said contracts. Phelps, Dodge & Palmer further agree that they will not knowingly buy boots and shoes of any manufacturer using convict labor. Phelps, Dodge Palmer further agree that no one seeking employment in their factory at Chicago shall be refused employment on account of being a member of the Knights of Labor.

The compromise was signed by representatives of the firms, and by Robert Bennett, President; J. P. Trench, Secretary, and George Rodgers, John J. Mahoney, James Courtney, and John Budlong, members of the Executive Board of Knights. Included in the boycott originally declared were C. M. Henderson & Co. and M. D. Wells & Co., of Chicago, and Pettingill & Co., of Peoria. A new boycott will be declared against them at once." Members of the yielding firms say the meeting was held at the request of the board. The members of the board say it was called by the firms. The influences which prompted the agreement are mysterious. Neither the members of the board nor of the conceding firms will express themselves lucidly on that point. There exists an understanding—an oral agreement—between the parties, which appears to be more potent than the written one. This they all acknowledge, but refuse to explain. An analyzation of the agreement shows that it has no immediate effect upon the business methods of the firms concerned. Selz, Schwab & Co. employ 451 men in the Joliet penitentiary, on three contracts. One of these, controlling the labor of sev-enty-five men, expires in a year; another expires in 1889, and the other, for the labor of the majority of the men, expires in 1892. The firm recently closed a contract with the prison authorities. Mr. Schwab explained to a reporter that he was heartily in accord with the abolishment of contract labor, and for that reason alone had signed the agreement. He said the firm had a factory in Chicago, employing free labor, from which good results had been obtained. He said in connection with this, that Chicago manufacturers were compelled to employ prison labor to compete with the East. He insisted that his firm is of the opinion that contract prison labor is a wrong principle, and that when the Knights of Labor demanded its abolishment his house was entirely willing to comply. The firm of C. H. Fargo & Co. employs about two hundred pri ners in the Michigan Penitentiary. Their contract expires in two years. Mr. C. H. Fargo said yesterday that he would rather not discuss the influences which caused him to sign the agreement. He had carefully considered the matter, and found that it was to his business interests to agree with ’ the Knights. Phelps, Dodge & Palmer employ 130 men in the Indiana Prison. Their contract expires in three years.