Isn't It Strange?

Editor CoüJUBB : Decir Sir: - Iu glancing over the Reg ister last week, we were somewhat surprised (?) to find it attempting to poia as the friend of the typographical union in this city, and charging tlie Codkieb with trying to destroyit (not very mach Burprieed, bowever,) as that sheet has ahvays been noted for claiming everj thing, if they thought capital could be made thereby, hut doing nothing substautial to encourage those who would be its friend, as we will illustrate below : As to its friendliness for the typographical union (or for workinginen) let us look back a short distance in its history. It is only a short time since the printers of Ann Arbor were forced to the conclusión that 25 cents per 1,000 ems was insufficient pay for the work and it was resolved to ask for an increase to 30 cents. It was generally considered then, as I have no doubt it was at the commencement of this controversy, that if the Courier, the most substantial paper in the city would pay it, the others, including the Register, would be forced to, even if the rnen were compelled to strike. Messrs. Shannon and Saunder waited on Mr. Beal of the Courier, and af ter a short conversation, were promised the desired advance. How was it with the Register? The manager or proprietor was waited on bv men in its employ, but they were put off froin time to time, until finally after two years of waiting, the Courier unwillingly reduced the price to 25 cents per 1,000 ems again, the employés acquiescing in order to more successfully compete with the other offices in bidding on work. Was the Register declared an unfair office then. We answer, no.' The printers of Ann Arbor at that time were too shrewd to diminish their strength or compel one-half of its members to leave the city, by acting in that way. But the time again carne when t va deemed necessary for an advance to 30 cents, the printers of Ann Arbor clared that if the Courieu proprieto woold pay it, the other offices, espec iaüij the Register should, or they wonl quit work. What was then the result Why, as usual, a nurnber of the printer in the Courier interviewed Mr. Beal and he very willinglv agreed to an ad vaneed scale, and notifled the foreman to figure up the men's work for the week at 30 cents, in lieu of 25 cents, the followiug Saturday night. Did the Kegister then appear as the friend of its employés, or the champion of the typographical union ? We shoulc say not to any great extent. lts man ager had the same opportunity for con sidering the matter the other offices did - two weeks - but up to the time set for the advancement of the scale, nothing promissorv could be obtained f rom its management. The consequence was that on the morning in question the Register printers quit work - some of the Courier boys asked for and obtained permission to lay off in order to stiffen the back bones of the printers in the Register employ, and see that this time they kept their promise of securing the desired and necessary advance. What was the result is well known, the Register was "in a box," and in order to see itself through it accepted the demands of the men unconditionally to them, and then to the surprise of all, the printers at least, stated in its next issue that they had conceded to the demands of its printers, and would pay 30 cents, "as an experiment for three months," - or up to the dull time after the commencement exercises in the University. They did this, and in order to beat the union in some way, soon after employed a young woman, and a number of apprentices, sornetirnes liaving as rnany apprentices as journeymen, in direct violation of the typographical constitution, which distinctly says: "There shall only be one apprentice to five "jours." What comes next? It is this, The Courier needs extra help. It is obtained and wages are satisfactorily agreed upon between the man and the office - one man receiving an advance of four dollars over what he was receiving at the Register office a few weeks before, (as both foreman and proprietor were satisfied he could earn it,) and who having desired an increase there, was informed that the foreman, a staunch union man, had told the manager that he could not earn any more then he was then receiving. Now some of the restless printers again come to the front, an ex-member of Ann Arbor typographical union, and one who suddenly decamped and was expelled by its members without a dissenting vote (see Secretary's books) appears on the scène as manager (or something) of the Register office. He is very anxious to become "solid" with the boys, - anything they asked would be granted and especially a request for au advance of two dollars per week, provided, however, that Mr. Beal, of the Courier, would sign the contract fint. Does this look as if the Register management was a friend of organized labor ? We think not, unless they are forced to play the hypocrite for the time being, hoping to deceive their men in this way, and thus make something out of them in the near future. It should be remembered that this way of securing an advance was opposed by the "older heads" from the beginning, and that the men were advised to leave the "seale" where it was and those entitled to an advance then seek it a more business-like and proper nimmer; but the desire for a strike was on ; they did not seem inclined to listen to reason at all, and the result was as E0II0W8 : A meeting of the union is called and au amendment passed makiug the seale two dollars more per week than before for all journeynnm printers working ou time work - this is a blow dealt directly at the Courier, as that office is the principal office engaging men on time work, (and, in fact, only affecting in the least four offices employing uuion printers, as the other four offices do uot eniploy union printers as time hands ; the eniployer of one, by the way the one who seems to take the most interest in the undertaking, being the first to sigu the agreement, has only one week hand in bis employ, and he lilis a position which is worth, at least what they demand, if not more.) This advance is made the object of the deinand in the coutract (entirely omitting to demand of the Register the enforcement of Sec. 2, Art. II, of their constitution, which has been continually and flagrantly violated, together with some other and very important by-laws which are allowed in almost all respectable offices, and especially all union offices, only excepting the Register, as far as we are informed. Well, acommittee is appointed by the union, Mr. Beal is approached by them submitting the "agreement" or "contract" for bis signature first. He is willing and ready to negotiate with and pay men in bis employ what they can earn, but objects to lead the van on this occasion. Mr. Beal might and might not have reasoned from the following grounds : The principal spokesman on the committee has been in his employ for some time on "piece work," and although having a great deal better than the average run of copy has failed to make, on an average, withiu a dollar and a half of what they are demanding for those in regular employ, work or play. Very few, if any, of the "time" men have averaged on busy weeks what they demand, and some have fallen from one to three dollars a week short of what they were then getting, - if measured by the piece. Another meeting of the union is held ; another committee is appointed, and Mr. Beal is called upon and invited to meet with some of the other employers of this city to discuss the subject involved. Mr. Beal politely but decidedly refused to do so, l'eeling capable of attending to his own business, and the committee departed. Another meeting of the union was called, and although some of those who were mostly interested opposed it, it was resolved to raise the scale on May 1, and a committee was appointed to notify the different offices to that effect. They did so. Mr. Beal took the matter in hand some two weeks ago and after eonversïng with his employés and telling them what he was willing to and would do, ;old all those who were not satisfied to go to the book-keeper and draw what was coming that night, without waiting for May 1. The result was four men quit work then, and on Monday, oue more, who bad promised Mr. Beal to continue at work, was induced to follow their example. The Courier, however, has not been delayed. The paper has made its appearance regularly, containing as rnuch, if not more "composition" than previously, and certainly more han the Register,and it is not compelled a resort to filling up the whole inside with "plate," as that paper does, in order to make a presentable appearance o its deluded but suffering applicants 'or news. Respectfully yours,