NEWSIES STRIKE NEW YORK Today, people can buy a newspaper from a machine or at a newsstand. But back in the 1800s, newsboys, or “newsies,” were the principal sellers of newsapers. Newsies sold their newspapers, or “papes,” on New York’s streets. For two weeks in 1899; however, the newsies went on strike, refusing to sell papers. What started the strike? During the Spanish-American War, people were eager to read the news, so the Journal and Evening World raised the price that they charged for their newspapers, Newsies had to pay ten cents more for the papers. A dime made a difference to the kids who earned less than a dollar each day. Most newsies lived on the streets. Others used their earnings to help their struggling families. When the war ended, newsies expected newspaper companies to reduce their prices, but that did not happen. Although the cost of papers to newsies never dropped, the strike was considered a success. The two offending newspaper companies agreed to buy back all unsold papers, and eventually this strike helped bring about child labor laws in the United States. (Adapted from Moor. E Daily reading comprehension. P21. Educational Publisher) T F 36 The strike occurred in a Spanish-American colony in the 1800s. 37 Most of the newsies lived in poverty. 38 The strike occurred due to the cost rise on eager readers of the war. 39 The strike was considered to be successful because the cost went down for the newsies, 40 The strike helped the public become aware of the newsboys’ problems.