The Newsboys Go On Strike
During the Spanish-American War, the price of papers newsboys paid to distribute was raised to 60 cents per hundred. The "extra" editions produced during the war helped justify the price hike because of the additional printing. However, when the war ended, all papers except Pulitzer's Evening World and Hearst's Evening Journal went back to the pre-war price of 50 cents per hundred. The newsies, who preferred selling these papers, felt like they were taking a loss.
“Ain’t that 10 cents worth as much to us as it is to Hearst and Pulitzer, who are millionaires? Well, I guess it is. If they can’t spare it, how can we?... I’m tryin’ to figure out how 10 cents on a hundred papers can mean more to a millionaire than it does to a newsboy, an’ I can’t see it. ” |
The newsies were not unique in their decision to strike. The newspapers printed during the summer of 1899 were full of strike stories, from the surface railroad "trolley" strike of Brooklyn, to the messenger boys striking in Manhattan. The fire of strikes was spreading rapidly.
"A Great Meet of Newsboys"
"Please don’t buy the World or Journal, because we refuse to sell these papers until some satisfactory terms can be reached. The World and the Journal demand arbitration for the striking railroad me, but why don’t they arbitrate with the newsboys? If you have any sympathy with us help us to boycott these papers by not reading them. Take out your advertisements: as no one sells these papers no one will be able to see them. * * * You will find all the news in the The Evening Sun, Telegram and Daily News. They give us a chance to make a living. Buy them and help us, and we will thank you very kindly. We remain yours humbly, The Newsboys’ Union." |
The newsies held large meetings to convince more of the newsboys to join their stand against the two papers, and quickly, hundreds joined. They tried to stop the businesses from making any money by staging a massive strike, highlighted by angry speeches made by some of the more colorful boys. They marched the Brooklyn Bridge, halting traffic, which made it difficult for paper deliveries to occur for hours a day. This was an inconvenience that attracted the attention of many people.
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One of the newsboys' meetings was held at New Irving Hall where 5,000 boys came to listen to what had to be said. Of those 5,000, only about 2,000 were able to squeeze their way into the building.
At this meeting, Assemblyman Charley Alder sent his best wishes through Leonard A. Suitkin, who felt the newsies were making "a better showing" than other ongoing strikes at the time. It was said at the meeting that Alder was "with the boys heart and soul." Ex-Assemblyman and former newsboy, Phil Wissig spoke, encouraging the newsies to keep doing what they were doing, telling them to persevere, and keep their efforts peaceful. The newsboys were on the path of winning against Pulitzer and Heart with the publicity they were attracting from their strike efforts. |