Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1900 — STRIKE TIES UP MILLIONS. [ARTICLE]

STRIKE TIES UP MILLIONS.

Chicago Capital Lying Idle Pending Settlement of Labor Troubles. While the contractors and workmen of Chicago are engaged in their desperate struggle millions of dollars that would under ordinary circumstances find circulation are tied up. The amount is variously estimated from $16,000,000 to $50,000,000. The effect is felt not only in Chicago, but throughout the entire country. A few days ago the expense of the building trades’ contest was estimated at $20,000,000 up to that time. With each passing day the loss has increased. Contractors and workmen alike are beginning to concede that much of this will never be invested in building operations now. The most conservative element agrees that it will be withheld for at least a year. Aside from the buildings that are under way and that have been delayed, preventing the capital invested from becoming productive, there are numerous big enterprises that will not be undertaken until the labor war is ended. A number of buildings contemplated for erection this spring have now been abandoned. Among the big enterprises tied up the following have been made public: Chicago postofflee >3,000,000 Blaine school 300,000 Car shop and box factory for An-glo-American Provision Co 130,000 Railroad terminals at Stickney tract (estimated) >500,000 to 1,500,000 Waller high school, George Dewey. Calumet Avenue, Charles W. Earle, Prescott, Darwin and Madison Avenue schools 500,000 The schools are all under roof and 75 per cent of the way toward completion. No further progress can be made, however, until the strike is over.