Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1887 — THE INDUSTRIAL OUTLOOK. [ARTICLE]

THE INDUSTRIAL OUTLOOK.

Bradstreet'a, in a review of the strikes of the first two months of the year, says: In January, 1887, there have been reported ninety-two strikes and lockouts, involving over 73,3C0 employes, as compared with nineteen strikes and 47,200 employes during January, 1886. Of the former, eightyeight strikes, involving 63,300 employes, were concluded by Feb. 28; while four strikes, including 10,000 men, were still open. Of the 10.000, about 8,000 are New England boot and shoe factory hands, locked out as a protest against Knights of Labor dictation as to shop management The number of shoe operatives locked out or on strike Feb. 1, 1887, was, approximately, 8,400; on March 1, 1887, 5,930. The number out in various small strikes is about 900, as against 400 Feb. 1. The total number of successful strikes of the January list, including compromises as successes, was 31 (out of 88 ended by March 1), involving 18,173 employes. As January strikes of 63,300 employes are ended, liis shows that about SO per cent of the employes have thus far been successful. The prospect, however, is for a smaller percentage of successes after the termination of the boot and shoe lockout The totals of failures are 57 strikes and 45,127 employes—about 70 per cent In January, 1886, 9 strikes, with 23,300 strikers, were successful—nearly one-half —while 10 strikes, with 23,900 strikers, were failures. In February, 1887, there were 74 strikes and 26,000 strikers, as compared with but 5 strikes and 10,700 strikers in February, 1886. By the close of the month 57 strikes, involving 20,000 strikers, had ended, and 23 strikes, with 6,000 strikers, remained unsettled. Of the 51 strikes with 20,000 strikers ended, 12 strikes and 5,350 strikers had been successful—a little over 20 per cent.; while 39 strikes, with 14,650 strikers—nearly 89 per cent —had been failures. In February, 1886, all the strikes were failures. The Milwaukee newspapers have filled their composing-rooms with non-union men, and now positively refuse to re-employ tho strikers.