Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1890 — IN THE LABOR WORLD. [ARTICLE]

IN THE LABOR WORLD.

THE OUTLOOK 18 FOR MORE AND GREATER STRIKES. The Situation Admitted to Be One of the Most Serious that Have Ever Couiroated Wage-Workers and Employers—Government Aid Invoked by Non-Union Carpenter* at Chicago. New York dispatch: Bradstreet says: “The Industrial outlook has not Improved at all during the last week. In fact, signs of restlessness among the wage-workers have become moro conspicuous, the number of strikes reported being larger than during any previous week for nearly two years. By far the most serious outlook is that reported from Chicago. The strike of 5,000 carpenters at that city, swelled as it has been by the necessary Idleness of noarly 20,000 other workers In allied trades, has already been noted. The number of idle men has now been augmented by the strike of 2,000 brlckmakers and brickyard laborers for shorter hours and moro pay. Late advices would seem tc point to the uneasiness of labor In other lines in that city, and this is likely to culminate May 1 in ono of the greatest strikes on record. “Nearly 20,000 packing house employes at Chicago are said to contemplate a strike for the eight-hour day. Harness-makers, clothing workers, (women), stair-builders, and other artisans have either already announced their intention of going out or are said to contemplate such action. This action on the part of so many trades is alleged to be against the advice of leaders, who are on record as opposing strikes for the eight-hour day in any but the building trades.

“The effect of such a widespread strike upon Chicago industries can not fail to be hurtful. That the wholesale strike is against the advice of the American Federation of Labor is proved by the issuance this week of a circular to tho wage-workors by Samuel Gompors, president of that organization. In this circular he outlines tho action tod>e pursued by tho federation In Its light f6r an eight-hour day. ‘Early advices,’ Mr. Gompors says, ‘had led tho officers of this body to expoet that tho building trados’ employers would meet tho inon half way In their efforts to adjust the hours of labor, but recent developments at Chicago and Indianapolis provo their expectations to havo beon unfounded.’ He claims that tho ‘wealth, power and influonco of tho employing and corporate classes of tho country are to bo concentrated to defeat tho movement,’ and therefore rocommonds that action toward securing shorter hours in other trados bo deferred until tho building trades’ light is settled. Diffusing organized labor strength in various movements, he thinks, moans final defeat for all.

“Money Is said to bo urgently needed. While the situation in Chicago is sufficiently grave, that outside of that city Is only a littlo bettor, at least so far as tho building trades are concerned. Strikes of building or kindred trades for an eight-hour day aro reported from Sharon, Pa.; Portland, Ore.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Now York city, and Jollot, 111. Nearly 1,500 coal miners are out in fho Conncllsvlllo region, owing to wago difficulties. This ’ stoppage of production is said to threaten tho suspension of blast furnaces in Cleveland depondont upon this source for coko for fuel. Tho situation as regards a general strike on May 1 is not of tho best. Tho carpenters and other building trades at Boston, Milwaukee, Birmingham, Ala, and Lancaster, Pa., are on record as proposing to strike for shorter hours on that date. All in all, the situation in labor matters Is more strained than for several years, and the outcome of the pros6nt ceuccrted movement will be watched with interest. The total number of strlkns in April was 120, involving 28,853 employes, whereas lust year during the same month there were only 61 strikes, involving 12,193 employes Since Jan. 1 this year there havo boon 803 strikes, involving 66,143 men, while in the first four months of last year there were only 221 strikes, involving 45,924 porspns.” 'Chicago dispatch: A number of the non-union men who claim to have been roughly handled by striking carpenters have appealed to the United States government for protection. A secret meeting, at which a largo number of non-union carpenters were present, was hold on the South side. They had been told by a contractor that those who ' were from other States could appeal to the United States authorities for protection if they were not protected by Chicago or Illinois authorities. Some of the men elaimed that they had been driven from buildings by strikers and that they having recently come here from other States wore outrageously treated by the police. A committee was appointed to draft a suitable petition and forward it to Secretary of State Blaime immediately. Tho committee brought in the following, which was adopted unanimously and sent on te Washington: “To the Honorable the Secretary of State ot tho,United States, Washington, D. C.:We, your petitioners of the city of Chicago, being tradesmen and bona fide citizens of the United States, now bv intimidation, threats, and actual violence, being prevented from following pur avocations to tho great injury of ourselves an;! families, hupahly petition the government of tho United States for protection in the exercise of our constitutional rights, now denied by a mob of riotous outlaws, who defy tho authorities and who maintain a reign of terror over those who differ with them on questions of tradesunions. “We also state that the above state of affairs has already continued for several weeks and that we have no protection of city or State authorities here; hence we petition your honor that protection, sufficient be afforded us so that we may in peace and safety continue our lawful avoca'.ious.” ;