Newsboys' strike in New York City begins

Background. Prior to 1899, newsboy strikes occurred in 1886, 1887, and 1889. During the Spanish-American War, publishers raised bundle costs from 50 cents to 60 cents. Although newsboys did not protest immediately, they suffered financial consequences after the war ended, setting the stage for the 1899 conflict.

Strike Start. A July 20 memo from Joseph Pulitzer's business manager, Don Seitz, named Cohen as the boy who started the strike in New York City. Earlier, on July 18, newsboys in Long Island City turned over a distribution wagon for the New York Journal. The strikers demonstrated across the city, effectively stopping circulation for several days and impacting distribution in New England.

Resolution. On August 1, the World and Journal offered a compromise: maintaining the 60-cent price but buying back unsold papers. Newsboys accepted this deal, ending the strike and disbanding the union on August 2. The World continued to assert there was no strike, labeling it an unorganized movement.

Internal Conflict. Rumors spread on July 26 that leaders Kid Blink and David Simmons had accepted bribes, diminishing faith in centralized leadership. A planned parade failed due to permit issues. Despite these tensions, the strike continued until the compromise was reached.