LOCKED OUT.

Twenty-five Thousand Idle Men Who the Day Before Were Hard at Work.

A Demand for Eight Hours' Work and Ten Hours' Pay Causes the Trouble.

Furniture Manufacturers Stick by Their Agreement and Close All of Their Factories,

While the Lumber and Iron Interests Are Full as Determined Not to Yield.

Freight-Handlers on the Burlington Go Out, and Other Roads Will Suffer To-Day.

The Local Situation.

THE SITUATION.

Twenty-five thousand is a fair estimate of the number of men who quit work yesterday and walked out of the various shops and factories in Chicago because their employers would not consent to an eight-hour working day and the same wages which have been paid when ten hours' work was the rule. How many will do the same thing to-day is problematical, but the prospects for a repetition of the performances of yesterday and exceedingly brilliant. The trades most affected are the furniture manufacturers, the lumber interests in all their numerous ramifications, and the iron men. With the furniture people it was practically a general lockout all over the city, and the 7,500 men employed in the various Chicago factories are to-day idle, and probably will continue so for some time to come. The refusal of the manufacturers to grant the demands of the men was the result of a meeting last week, when a manufacturers' association was formed and an executive committee appointed to take charge of the business of the various members. It was decided that if the men demanded eight hours yesterday every factory should shut down, not to be reopened until this committee should decide and upon terms that it should dictate. This agreement was carried out to the letter, and to-day every furniture factory in Chicago, including Brunswick & Balke and Rothschild Brothers, where strikers were already in progress, is practically in the hands of the executive committee of the Manufacturers' association, and will not be reopened until it so decides.

A somewhat similar situation exists in the lumber trade, including the planning mills and the box factories. No concerted action was had among the employers until yesterday, but all except three refused the demands of the men, and in a meeting afterward decided to stand by one another and not take their men back except at their own terms. The number of men in this trade out of employment in consequence can only be approximated but eight thousand is a low figure.

With the iron people the idea of running only eight hours a day could not be entertained for a moment by the larger concerns with expensive plants, and in consequence all who were waited on refused their men's demands, and Crane Brothers, with their 1,500 employes, set the example of closing down; and, with the exception of the rolling-mills, where no demands were made and no trouble in anticipated, the majority of the large iron works of Chicago are closed to-day.

The railroads have, with one exception, so far escaped trouble, but their time will come to-day, and it is feared that when it does come its extent can not be now foretold. Ninety freight-handlers on the Burlington went out yesterday, and the two hundred of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul will do the same at 10 A.M. to-day. The Alton men will probably follow suit this evening and if the railroads do, as they now say they will, and refuse the freight-handlers' demand for an eight-hour working-day, it is likely that none of them will be overlooked. The companies say that anyone can handle freight, and it will be easy to fill the men's places if they strike; but much tossing about of heavy packages has made their present employes very muscular, and that muscle will probably be put into active use if new men are placed into the old ones' places. The element of uncertainty as to the action of other employes of the various roads must also enter into the calculations of the manager and tend to make his life miserable.

The packers will probably escape without serious trouble. The employers are somewhat disposed to yield to part of the demands of the men, while the latter are not at all disposed to strike. Still, it depends a good deal on "what Armour will do." The above are the interests most directly affected by the results of yesterday, but every business in the city was more or less implicated, and the general feeling of unrest that prevails among workingmen is balanced by a sentiment of anxiety among the employers.

FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS.

The furniture manufacturers received the intelligence yesterday from Grand Rapids to the effect that their Michigan colleagues had refused to concede the demands of their employes. A contrary report had been received upon Thursday, and it had a very dispiriting effect upon the manufacturers here. There was a corresponding degree of satisfaction at the news of yesterday, and it served to stiffen some of the smaller concerns in their determination to refuse the demands of the men here.

R. Rothschild's Sons were waited upon by a committee from their striking employes yesterday morning. It desired to arrange a compromise upon terms of a 10 per cent. for which they struck. It was informed by the firm that the matter of starting up the factory was placed in the hands of the executive committee of the Furniture Manufacturers' association, and that the men could not go to work upon any terms until the firm had been authorized to start up the factory. This announcement astonished the committee, and when it reported it to the strikers many of them began to realize the strength of the manufacturers' union, and cursed and swore against the agitators who had led them blindly into the weaker union of the socialists. There was considerable talk among them about abandoning the Furniture-Makers' union. The American workmen did not hesitate to declare that it was folly for them to stand out against the manufacturers' union when they did not have either the

SUPPORT OR SYMPATHY

of the Trades and Labor assembly or the Knights of Labor. Meantime the strikers are keeping a close watch upon the factory. Mr. David Rothschild stated yesterday that the strike at Cincinnati was still on. The firm would never yield to the demands of the strikers there, and the executive committee would allow them to yield here even if they wanted to, and such a contingency would never arise.

At the Brunswick-Balke-Collender factory yesterday the situation remained unchanged. A committee of the strikers sent a written notice to the firm that the strikers sent a written notice to the firm that the strikers were holding meetings every forenoon and afternoon at No. 105 Wells street. The company paid no attention to the notice, except to laugh at the impudence of the committee which sent it. All the strikers had been discharged, and what they might have to say did not concern the company any more than the action of any other body of men. When the executive committee of the Furniture Manufacturers' association should determine upon the number of hours and rate of wages under which the factory should be run the company would re-open the factory and hire what help it needed irrespective of who were formerly working for it. Until that was done the factory would remain closed. Several orders for goods to be delivered yesterday were taken from the factory. No attempt to prevent the removal of the goods was made by the strikers. The factory is surrounded by strikers

ACTING AS SPIES

upon everyone who enters or leaves the place. At a meeting of the strikers yesterday afternoon it was reported that the company would attempt to start up the factory with imported men, and a resolution was adopted ordering all the strikers to be on guard about the factory on Sunday in order to prevent any work being done.

Leo Austrian, manufacturer of mirrors, at No. 110 South Jefferson street, employing one hundred men, closed up his factory yesterday, to await the action of the executive committee of the Furniture Manufacturers' association. This committee will not meet until next Tuesday.

Jessen & Rosberg, Keller & Co., C. E. Jorgenson, J. O. Besch, L. F. Nounost, J. B. Beming, and George F. Selden, all furniture manufacturers, occupying the block on the east side of Jefferson street, between Randolph and Lake streets, closed down their factories last night, to await the action of the executive committee of the Furniture Manufacturers' association. This action locks out over seven hundred men.

One hundred and forty-five men, boys, and girls employed by the Union Wire Mattress company, at No. 73 Erie street, demanded ten hours' pay for eight hours' work yesterday. The company explained to them how it would be impossible to keep the factory running upon such terms. No settlement was arrived at. The factory was shut down last evening, and will not be opened to-day. Upon Monday the factory will be opened again, and if the employes return to work at the old wages work will continue. Otherwise the factory will go into the hands of the executive committee of the Furniture Manufacturers' association.

THE IMMENSE ESTABLISHMENT

of Clark Brothers & Co., furniture manufacturers near the corner of Blue Island avenue and Robey street, was unoccupied yesterday except by a few clerks and the superintendent, the entire force of 310 men having quit work Thursday night. They demanded the short day and full pay, which the firm refused, and yesterday none of the men entered the shops. A few endeavored to do so, but were prevented by the strikers. The firm belongs to the recently formed association of furniture manufacturers and will remain closed until the eight-hour question is settled in one way or the other. The pay-roll of this concern amounted to about $15,000 a month, and with the branch house at Philadephia paid out over $23,000 a month in wages.

Fifty men in the furniture factory of R. E. Rohle, corner of Clinton and Sebor streets, went out on a strike for eight hours' work and ten hours' pay yesterday. Mr. Rohle offered a 10 per cent. increase in wages with ten hours' work, but they declined.

Fifty-three men in C. Bostleman & Co.'s factory at No. 862 Allport avenue, left the shops at noon. They demanded an increase of 20 per cent. on all piece work in addition to ten hours' pay for eight hours' work. Mr. Bostleman will keep his factory closed until the men are ready to work on the old terms.

Sixty-five men employed in the parlor-furniture factory and upholstering shop of William Giffert, No. 330 South Clinton street, went out shortly before noon yesterday on the eight-hour and advanced-pay question. Mr. Giffert offered eight hours' pay for the same amount of labor, but it was not accepted. He will remain closed until they think better of it.

C. C. Holton's furniture factory closed its doors last evening when the forty men had finished their day's work. This is brought about because Mr. Holton can not concede to the demands of the men and make any profit for himself. He said that if all the furniture manufacturers in the country would agree to increase the price of their wares there might be some chance of granting the men's demands and make a little profit for himself, but not otherwise. Mr. Holton does not think that the strike will affect the retail trade very much, but it will give the jobbing trade a set back. "As for myself," said he, "I don't think this strike will hold out very long. I shall simply call in my salesmen from the road, sit down quietly, and await results.

The picture frame makers wheeled into line with the rest of the strikers yesterday afternoon and made a demand of eight hours' work for nine hours' pay. The manufacturers were loath to let the fact of their men making a demand get out, as they thought that they could compromise matters before night. About the first firm called upon was was that of Sammons, Clark & Co., at No. 169 Randolph street. A committee of the workmen waited upon Mr. Clark at 2:30 o'clock and made their request for eight hours' work and an increase of wages.

"What do your men demand?" Mr. Clark was asked.

"Oh, nothing unreasonable; they respectfully ask that eight hours constitute a day's work after May 1."

Four or five other extensive picture-frame establishments on Wabash avenue and State street were visited but the proprietors said they had no news. But the fact is that by a prearranged agreement all the employes of the picture-frame dealers were to call upon their bosses at the same hour to [formulate] their demand, as the bosses' action afterward proves, for about 4:30 o'clock a large number of the picture-frame manufacturers, representing at least 95 per cent. of the local trade, met at No. 254 Wabash avenue, Mr. F. J. Sammons presiding, and passed the following resolution:

We, the picture frame manufacturers of Chicago in meeting assembled have

Resolved, That we will not concede to any advance in present wages; but if our men desire to work only eight hours, they will be permitted to do so, with eight hours' pay.

THE RAILROADS.

In one direction, yesterday, the freight-handlers' agitation got beyond the point of petition and demand, and developed into a strike. At noon, the Burlington freight-handlers having received what they considered an unfavorable answer to a demand for shorter hours, resolved to precipitate matters by ceasing work. This they did, after cleaning up the out-freight, and at 3 o'clock the houses were closed. The company at once gave notice that no more freight would be received, and operations practically ceased. Officials say that no treaty will be made with the men involving any change in hours or pay, at least for the present, and that the place of the strikers will be filled at once. The Alton freight-handlers joined in the current, but in a rather vague sort of way, dispensing with the formality of reducing their demands to writing. At the conclusion of work Thursday evening, the men huddled into a corner, evidently wanting something, but seemingly puzzled how to get at it. The foreman asked what was wanted, and a general chorus went up. "We want what the other roads are getting." When informed that they were on an equality with other roads both in the matter of time and pay, they amended it by saying, "We want what the men on the other roads are going to get." A little further conversation evolved the fact that, to be in the fashion, they wished it understood that eight hours' work and ten hours' pay would be about the proper thing, and there the matter rested. No answer had been given up till 5 o'clock last night, and probably none will be until to-day. The men worked through the day as usual, accomplishing more in the way of loading, as the shutting down of the Burlington turned a lot of southwestern freight over to the Alton. The Northwestern freight-handlers on the Galena division worked on through the day without taking any action looking toward going out. The demand made by them had not been referred to the higher officials nor acted upon by the latter. Hope was entertained that the division superintendent and the local agent could arrange matters with the men, persuade them how unwise they were in making so foolish a stand, and thus avoid the necessity of

AN OPEN RUPTURE.

The men on the Wisconsin division made no more. If the others insist upon a formal reply it will probably be given them to-day, and there is no doubt but it will be in the form of a complete refusal. The Milwaukee and St. Paul men also continued their labors without interruption until the closing hour. It was stated that they were to have an answer at 4 o'clock and at that time local agent C. E. Wilson informed the committee that the company would unqualifiedly refuse to accede to the demand. The Grand Trunk freight-handlers made a demand of the same tenor, eight hours and no reduction of wages. They are promised an answer at noon to-day. Rumors were plentiful in regard to all of the other roads, but were unreliable and untruthful, born of the excitement and circulated as the strike gossip of the day. It may be said, however, that all of the officials had assumed a listening attitude, and the eight-hour demand from their employes would not have taken them by surprise. An inquiry among the men as to their grievances demonstrated that none of them were laboring under a sense of injustice either regarding their wages or treatment. Their movements seem to depend to a great extent upon what course of action will be taken elsewhere. They formulate the idea in the language of the Alton men, "We want what other men are going to get." If eight hours is to be the rule, or if some of their comrades want to make a fight on that principle, perforce they must join in the stampede. The managers are evidently of one mind in the matter, although not at all demonstrative on the subject. They do not care to discuss it, and leave the burden of treating with the disaffected upon the shoulders of their subordinates. There is no concert of action among them, although investigation proves that they are a unit in sentiment and agree that no concession such as asked is to be made. As to the outcome, opinion is divided. Some are of the opinion that the strike will be a general one, and will come to-day; others are of the same belief, but do not look for a concerted move by the men until Monday. A few agree that the men will try and beat the roads in detail, a portion remaining at work, and giving material aid and support to those who are out. In any event, a turbulent time is anticipated, with more or less interruption of business.

Three hundred freight-handlers of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad sheds sent in notice to the managers Wednesday that if the working day was not reduced to eight hours and the same rate of wages maintained the men would go on a strike Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The demand was sent to the general office at Milwaukee, and after a long discussion by the managers of the road it was decided to refuse the demand. The reasons given were that it was absolutely necessary to have the sheds open at 7 in the morning and not close till 6 at night. The men in all other sheds on the line are apparently satisfied, and if any change were made here it would spread over the entire road. Besides, none of the other roads had reduced the hours to that time, and hence the Milwaukee would be seriously inconvenienced if such a change were made. Shortly before the time stated by the men had expired a committee went into the general office and had an interview with Mr. Wilson, the freight agent, after which they received

A PRINTED REFUSAL

from the managers of the road about the concessions asked for. At first the committee said it would immediately go out, order the men to stop work, and leave the freight standing in the shed. It then decided to have a conference with the men and see how they felt on the subject. But before leaving Mr. Wilson they promised not to inform the men till after 6 o'clock, so that all the freight ready for shipment would be disposed of. The committee then went out and told their men that the road wanted two hours more to decide upon the matter, and that at 6 o'clock a decision would be given. In the meantime the speaker appointed by the men had another interview with Mr. Wilson, and obtained his permission to use one of the freight houses so as to hold a general meeting and decide upon some course to pursue. Shortly before 6 all the doors in the freight-sheds were closed, and a number of wagons loaded with freight ready for shipment were turned away. The men were then ready for the meeting. When the refusal of the company was read most of the men were highly indignant that they had not learned of it before, so as to have left the road in the lurch. Some then proposed not to go to work in the morning, but the majority were in favor of holding a meeting in the evening for the purpose of deciding upon some course. The men say that if they strike they will have the sympathy of all the men on the road, not only in this city, but upon the entire line. If the shed is closed here in all probability the one in Milwaukee, where 150 men are employed, will close. They also say that the switchmen on the road will do everything to favor their interests, and if necessary will strike. It is understood that the men on the Michigan Central and Illinois Central will

WORK WITH THEM,

and do everything in their power to aid them in this undertaking.

At the evening meeting of the Milwaukee freight-handlers, the men after a full debate of the matter decided to go to work this morning, and put in three hours in handling whatever perishable freight there might be offered. Then, at 10 o'clock, unless the company previously concedes their demand, they will go out in a body.

Ever since the freight-handlers of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad formulated their demand for eight hours' work and were refused by the authorities, Mr. Gano, the foreman of the out-freight house, has been endeavoring to arrange some sort of a compromise, so as to keep the men at work. The absolute refusal of the company to consider the eight-hour question induced him to try and effect a slight increase of salaries for ten hours' work, and yesterday he called on Vice President Potter and Supt. Stone and informed them that if the request was granted, even to the slight extent of 5 per cent. on the present pay-roll, he believed the men would be satisfied. The officials declined to consider the proposition in any way, and upon Gano reporting the fact to the men at noon they at once went on a strike. The eighty-six men stopped at once and put on their coats, the doors where the freight was received were crossed, and the men went in a body to the in-freight house, where some forty-five men are employed. These agreed to quit as soon as they had cleared the floor of the freight then in hand, and at 3 o'clock this was accomplished and

THE HOUSE CLOSED.

The strikers then took up their march and visited the transfer freight houses of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy and Northwestern railroads at Sixteenth street. Here a brawny young fellow mounted a barrel and addressed the crowd. He said that the strike had been inaugurated for the purpose of bettering their condition. If all the freight-handlers would unite they would all be able to earn more money and have shorter hours. The speakers requested those who favored the move to attend a mass-meeting on the Burlington tracks, near Halsted street viaduct, at 8 o'clock this morning, and join with them in getting better pay. The listeners appeared to regard the speech favorably, and made such remarks as "We're with you," "That's the sort of talk," which showed that the men were ready to go out at any moment. There is no doubt that no work will be done in the transfer houses to-day, and unless a settlement is reached by Monday there will be none done next week. The strikers then broke up into small visiting committees, and during the afternoon made a similar demand for a strike in each of the freight-houses of the principal railroads in the city.

Mr. Cook, the local freight agent of the Burlington, said that no attempt would be made to-day to fill the places of the strikers, but on Monday something might be done in that direction. He was quite sure that the company would not concede anything to the men. The stoppage of business was not one that could be called local only, for at every town and at the terminal points the delay would be felt severely, and would, if long continued, result in the enforced idleness of a majority of the railroad employes. "It has always been a hobby of mine," said Mr. Cook, "to handle the company's freight promptly and get each day's consignment out of the way and in the cars before the next day's business began. It has been a well known fact among shipping clerks in the large houses that the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy would receive their freight later and put it aboard cars quicker than any other road, and this thing worries me. I can't say how soon the blockade will be raised. If it extends to the other roads, as I expect it will, it may take a month to get things in running order again."

Among the freight-depot men a unanimous eight-hours-or-strike feeling existed last night. The Grand Trunk employes submitted a demand for eight hours to Mr. E. Larkn, to take effect this morning. About seventy-five men will go out if the demand is not acceded to. A reply is promised to-day.

At the Wabash railroad freight-yards no talk of striking has been indulged in, yet the feeling is that a strike will be inaugurated to-day in case their request for eight hours' work is not accepted.

The Chicago and Atlantic railroad freight-depot men intimate that a strike is imminent to-day if the demand for eight hours' work is not acceded to. Likewise the Louisville, New Albany and Chicago freight-depot men express themselves. They will go out in a body if their demands are not agreed to.

The freight-handlers at the Chicago and Alton depot will undoubtedly

GO OUT THIS MORNING.

Yesterday afternoon they were waited on by a delegation of the Burlington and Quincy truck-men, after which they formulated a demand for eight hours' labor per day with ten hours' pay, and presented it to F. L. Eastman, the local freight agent. Mr. Eastman referred the demand to higher officials of the road and asked for instruction, but up to the hour of leaving his office last evening he had received none. He does not know what will be done, but is of the opinion not a door of the freight-house will be opened to-day. The men worked up to 6 o'clock last evening, and some of them even later, as there was an unusual quantity of freight to be handled on account of the strike on the Burlington. When they quit work, they had left nothing undone and everything was in good shape. It is understood that they will hold a joint meeting with the Burlington freight-handlers this morning, when they will be prepared to receive an answer to their demand from the officials.

No demands have as yet been made by the freight-handlers at the Pittsburgh and Fort Wayne depots, but it is expected that they will join the others to-day. A report reached the ears of the agent yesterday to the effect that the subject was being talked over by the men, but further than that he says he has heard nothing.

LUMBER INTERESTS.

The eight hours' work, eight hours' sleep, eight hours' play, and $2 a day men had a high old time yesterday in the lumber district, as, with few exceptions, all the lumber-mills, planing mills, and box factories shut down at noon, or shortly after, refusing to accede to the demands of the men for ten hours' pay for eight hours' work. The consequence was that everything was as quiet as on a Sunday, all the machinery was idle, and the only business that was "rushing" was that of the saloons. In every one of these were congregated crowds of men, in many cases being harangued by a wild-eyed Bohemian in a polygot tongue. In no instance that came under the notice of the reporter was Anglo Saxon the language used to give vent to the wrongs of down-trodden labor. B. F. Porges & Co.'s, Felix Lang's, and A. Bennett's were the only factories at work. The former have agreed to the demand of the men, as they have such heavy contracts on hand they say they could not afford to do otherwise. Felix Lang was going to shut down last evening, and Mr. Bennett, who is a Scotchman, professed to know nothing about strikes. He "had rin," he said, "all through the last big strike, and he would rin his mill to the day o' judgment. Maybe the boys would gang for a rin aboot the toun in the morn, but they would all come back again." He remembered the day when he had worked for $5 a week in Chicago, and now he owned the mill and employed two hundred hands. If any man was dissatisfied all he had to do was to come to him, but he had heard nothing.

ALL THE PLANING-MILLS.

on Twenty-second street have shut down. The Chicago Lumber company made a proposition to their men to pay them nine hours' pay for eight hours' work, but this was refused. It is understood that the same proposition was made by several other firms, but in every instance with the same result. Maxwell Brothers, who had recent trouble with their workmen, hope to make arrangements to have their box factory running Monday, but the planing-mill will remain closed with the others. The masters say that if they agree to the demands of the men they will have to raise the price of their goods, and that with the little demand there is at present this would make them really unsalable. Every precaution is being taken by the various lumber companies against incendiarism, and extra firemen are on duty at all the yards.

As soon as the lumber-dealers became aware that trouble was brewing a hasty call was sent out to all members of the lumbermen's exchange, suggesting the necessity of instant action. In response to the call nearly every member of the association met at the exchange room yesterday afternoon to discuss the situation. Secretary Hotchkiss was placed at the door to prevent reporters from obtaining any information as to what might be done, and the question at issue was thoroughly talked over. Opinions were varied as to what ought to be done, but the prevailing idea was that the dealers could not and ought not to concede ten hours' pay for eight hours' work. Several resolutions were offered covering the question, but it was finally determined to relegate the entire matter to a committee of which Mr. A. J. Van Schaick is chairman. This committee will formulate a statement showing the impossibility of carrying out the demands of the men, and will report at another meeting to be held this afternoon. It was reported that with the exception of S. B. Parker & Co. and the S. K. Martin Lumber company every dealer present was in favor of

CLOSING THE YARDS

at once, with the understanding that they would not open them again until the men would go to work on the present basis of time and pay. Pending the report of the special committee, several of the larger operators said they would this morning give the men the privilege of working if they chose to do so, but in the event of a refusal the gates would be closed indefinitely. A general lockout will throw nearly six thousand men out of employment and paralyze one of Chicago's greatest industries.

The lumber-shovers have taken a determined stand upon the eight-hour question. Yesterday a committee of the men waited upon prominent members of the lumber-exchange and announced that they would not work in any of the lumber-yards to-day. They did not add when they proposed to resume.

With the exception of the mills of T. W. Harvey, the Union Planing Mill company, and Goss & Phillips', every planing-mill on Twenty-second street, west of Morgan, ceased running at noon yesterday and the men went out on a strike for eight hours' work and ten hours' pay. The fifty men employed in the planing-mill of D. M. Goodwillie were the first to go, and the news spread west on the street as fast as the strikers could carry it. T. Wilce & Co. had 45 men in the planing-mill and 150 in the lumber-yards. The entire lot went out

IN A BODY.

Ware Brothers, who run a large sash, door, and blind manufactory in connection with the planing-mill, were the next to suffer. The twenty-five men in the mill did not want to quit, but Wilce's men forced them to leave their work. The S. K. Martin Lumber company had thirty men and Stephens' Box company about the same number, and these were soon informed that they must quit. The number of planing-mill hands thus thrown out is about two hundred, and by their action they practically compel every man in the sash, door, and blind and box factories to stop work also, for without the planing-mills the lumber used in these can not be prepared for use. E. P. Wilce & Co. has made a satisfactory settlement with the 160 men employed in their sash, door, and blind factory, agreeing to eight hours' work and a 10 per cent. advance in wages.

The Whitcomb Cedar campany have forty men in their yards at present, about half the number usually employed during the busy season in the summer months, and these men were notified to quit by a committee from S. K. Martin's and T. Wilce's yards, and they did so. The firm claim that it was solely a matter of intimidation.

THE FOLLOWING CIRCULAR,

the peculiar orthography of which was regarded as a capital joke by those receiving it, was in the hands of every lumber-dealer in the district early yesterday morning:

April 30, 1886.--Gentlemen: The Lumbermen's union No. 1 had appointed a committee to call on you to inquire into what action you will take on the eight-hour movement and also the wages we have decited on our scale of wage for 8 hours work, which are: For Tallymen 25 cents per hour, Sorters 23 cents per hour, and Balance of men 20 cents per hour and overtime work double. We will demand a answer Monday morning May 3, 1886. We will observe to-morrow (Saturday) as a genrel holiday

(Signed)Committee.

McClure & Jager, manufacturers of the Star grain door, at the corner of Canal and Polk streets, closed up their shop yesterday in order to avoid trouble. Their men had no complaint to make and made no demands, but said if they kept at work they might be assaulted by the strikers, and they preferred not to work until the excitement was over.

Campton & Brother's planing mill, at the corner of Ohio and Franklin streets, was shut down for an indefinite period of time last evening. The firm refused to concede a demand of their one hundred employes for ten hours' pay for eight hours' work.

George Kellar, manufacturer of frames and moldings, employing sixty men, received a demand from his employes for ten hours' pay for eight hours' work, yesterday. He refused to concede it, and closed down last evening. It depends upon the men whether or not he will reopen on Monday next.

IRON AND BRASS.

After several days of palavering between employers and employes at the Union Brass Manufacturing company's immense establishment, an ultimatum was reached yesterday. At 1 o'clock a committee waited upon Mr. J. McGregor Adams for a final reply to a proposition made by the men to work eight hours for eight hours' pay. Mr. Adams replied that he could only repeat that the business of the concern was already unprofitable; that it could be run upon the eight-hour system only at a loss to the company. The committee then replied in the politest manner possible that the men would prefer to quit work. At 1:30 o'clock over four hundred men stopped their machines and left the factory. The men employed in the foundry remained at work long enough to "pour off the heat," thereby saving the company any immediate damage, which would result in refusing to do so.

At the Adams & Westlake factory, engaged in manufacturing water-coolers, lanterns, and railway hardware supplies generally, the men "merely suggested," to quote Mr. L. McGregor Adams, the head of this establishment also, that the firm should allow them nine hours' pay for eight hours' labor. He advanced the same explanation given to the employes of the Union Brass Manufacturing company, and stated that it would please him much better to close the factory permanently than to attempt to run it upon the eight-hour system even at eight instead of nine hours' pay. No reply from the men was received up to 6 o'clock last evening. The factory will be closed "at the request of the men" to-day. Whether or not it will start up on Monday depends entirely upon the employes. The Union brass-works will remain closed until the men will return at the old wages and ten hours' work. Mr. Adams stated last evening that but few contracts for work remained uncompleted in the "order" departments. There was a considerable stock of goods in the jobbing departments, and the affairs of the companies were such that they could remain closed without loss worth mentioning, aside from the interest on the plant. Mr. Adams is of the opinion that the relations between the companies and their employes have always

BEEN SO PLEASANT

that it would not require a very long time for the men to realize the impossibility of gaining their demands. They would feel and know that the companies would concede them were it possible, and they would return to work under the old arrangement.

The employes in the Chicago Bolt and Forge company's bridge-works, on Forty-first street and Stewart avenue, were added to the list of applicants yesterday. Early in the forenoon a committee, consisting of Richard Canty and Thomas Grady, appointed by the employes, waited upon Supt. Weatherson and informed him that they wanted eight hours' work with ten hours' pay. Supt. Weatherson told the men that those who wanted to work eight hours could quit at the expiration of that time, while those who wanted to work ten hours would find the shop open at that time. The men were not satisfied, and finally succeeded in carrying their point, Weatherson acceding to the working demand. The question of wages then came up. Weatherson consulted with the other members of the firm, and finally decided to reduce the wages with the hours of work. The men very reluctantly accepted the proposition, and will be given a holiday to-day.

At the Union Steel company works Mr. Forsythe, the manager, said that he had no trouble in prospect of any kind whatever. He could not see how the eight-hour movement would affect him, as all his men were paid by the hour and they could work one hour if they pleased, it could never work with the iron trade. They always had to keep three furnaces going, and worked the men employed there in two gangs of twelve hours each. Suppose they had to work three gangs it would just raise the cost of production 50 per cent., and as they were running things pretty close as it was he did not quite see how they could afford to run the mill. In the machine-shops some of the men worked over four hundred hours in the month, receiving more than $100 a month pay. The same with the masons, and there was not one of them who received less than $100 a month. From all appearances the men in the iron-works will not go out, as in the places where the disaffected of Bridgeport most do congregate the unanimous opinion expressed was that the men had had enough of strikes

FOR THE PRESENT.

At the factory of the June Manufacturing company six men struck yesterday for an advance of 20 per cent. in wages. The factory will remain closed until the question of wages is generally settled.

The seventy-five machinists and laborers employed at the Hercules iron-works yesterday requested the proprietors to experiment upon the eight-hour system. They would accept eight hours' pay, and if it did not become general throughout the country and did not prove profitable for either or both employer and employes, they would return to work upon the ten-hour system. The arrangements were entirely amicable, and work under the eight-hour system will begin upon Monday next.

The immense works of the Crane Brothers, manufacturers of elevators, brass goods, etc., and employing from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred men, closed down last evening, and will not reopen till the question of wages and time of labor shall become definitely settled. The firm stated that in the present unsettled condition of labor it was

IMPOSSIBLE TO ESTIMATE

upon contracts or compete with eastern concerns who were running and would continue to run under the nine and ten hour systems. The men had asked for the adoption of the eight-hour system, and it was impossible for the firm to concede the demand, and without waiting for the men to strike the concern was closed indefinitely.

A committee from the five hundred employes of the David Bradley Manufacturing company, makers of agricultural implements, wagons, etc., waited upon Mr. Bradley yesterday afternoon and demanded ten hours' pay for eight hours' labor. Mr. Bradley had just returned to the city and was unable to give a reply, and objected to discussing the question with reporters, beyond stating that the present condition of trade made it impossible for the company to concede the demand. The factory will be closed to-day. Whether it will open on Monday depends upon the disposition of the men to continue work under the old scale.

Fifty men employed by the Thorn Wire-Hedge company, at No. 15 North Clinton street, struck yesterday noon for ten hours' pay for eight hours' work.

The malleable-iron works, employing between seven hundred and eight hundred men, expect to close to-day for an indefinite period, owing to a demand for eight hours' work and ten hours' pay by the molders in the foundries of the immense works. The company says it is absolutely impossible to conduct the business on an eight-hour basis, and will await the settlement of the labor question with closed doors and cold furnaces.

The Wells-French Bridge company, employing 275 men, refuse to concede the eight-hour day with an increase on the piece-work, and to-day the works close, probably to remain so for months. They claim to be able to

STAND THE LOSS

this will entail on them rather than risk a change in the entire system of labor as now in vogue at the works.

The Ajax Foundry company, on Blue Island avenue, informed the two hundred men employed that the eight-hour day could not be inaugurated there, and the men are expected to quit work to-day, although they had not notified the firm of such an intention. A heavy contract for iron beams is said to have given the men confidence in making the demand, as the work must be finished within a certain period of time.

The men in Barnum & Richardson's car-wheel foundry have made no demand for a shorter day or increased pay. The firm expects to weather the storm that is now causing such a stir in the labor world.

The men at the Hess stove-works, seventy-five in number, have decided to try the eight-hour work, eight-hour pay schedule beginning to-morrow. Mr. Hess, the proprietor, is glad the men have decided to try the scheme, but he is certain that they will not be satisfied with it, but will resume their old hours in a very short time. The fact is about thirty-five of the men were very much opposed to the new arrangement, but they had to go with the majority. The dissatisfied men will in all probability influence the others to return to the old working hours before many days.

The Hercules iron-works, No. 120 South Canal street, will experament with the eight-hour system, commencing to-day. The scale of wages will not be increased. The new plan will be tried for a month, and if it works all right will be adopted.

Robert Tarrant, manufacturer of marine engines, Bullock printing-presses, etc., and employing about 175 men, replied to the demands of his employes yesterday. He concedes them eight, nine, or ten hours' work, as they may choose. About one-half of the men declared that they would continue to work ten hours, while the remainder declared for eight hours. The men are among the highest paid mechanics in the city, averaging 29 cents an hour.

The Excelsior iron-works paid off its one hundred employes last evening and shut down indefinitely. The men had demanded eight hours' labor for eight-hours' pay. The concern could not afford to run upon such short time, and did not desire to make any new contracts while labor remains in its present unsettled condition. When running to its full capacity it employs 250 men.

L. Woolf, manufacturer of brass goods and plumbers' supplies at the corner of Lake and Jefferson streets, yesterday agreed with his four hundred employes to make an experiment with the eight-hour system at eight hours' pay. The test will continue for two months, and if at the end of that time it is found unprofitable the the old system will be resumed.

At the South Chicago rolling-mills, yesterday morning, the officials were noticed on hand at an early hour. They were at once waited upon by various committees from the different departments, representing the employes. The officers received them one at a time, and cheerfully talked over the situation, with a friendly feeling on both sides. Shortly before noon a committee of blast-furnace men, representing about 350 or 400 employes, waited upon Manager Parkes and Supt. E. C. Potter. They presented a resolution passed by themselves, asking that the working hours be decreased from eleven and twelve to eight, with the same pay. Their case was heard and a decision reserved until late in the day. The men throughout were quiet and orderly in all their actions. The company's decision was an advance in wages of 10 per cent., whereupon the men departed satisfied. They will work the same number of hours, but their advance in wages makes up for it. The satisfactory termination of all appearances of trouble was a cause of rejoicing at South Chicago.

At the docks of the coal firm of Langdon, Harvey & Richardson, at the mouth of the Calumet river, some twenty of the coal-heavers applied early in the morning for an advance of 2 cents per ton for unloading. As there were three cargoes at the docks ready for handling, the company granted the advance asked.

At the Union foundry, North Pullman, the molders were granted an advance of 10 per cent. two weeks ago. They now ask for double pay for overtime and Sunday work. The pattern-makers and blacksmiths are asking for eight hours with an increase of pay for overtime and Sunday work. It is understood the answer given by the company was that the demands would be considered and an answer given May 10.

Later last night the three hundred employes of the Adams & Westlake Manufacturing company decided to return to work Monday morning at the old rate. The four hundred men of the Union brass-works, which is a branch of the former institution, however, have decided to be at the place early Monday morning and prevent the men returning, using force, it is said, if necessary.

The Ion Molders' union, No. 23, met last evening at No. 71 West Lake, and a large number was present. This union is a new one, only having had a few meetings. The organization is now perfected and there is considerable talk about joining the Knights of Labor. The eight hour subject was brought up and discussed at some length, many being in favor of making a demand immediately. However, there was considerable objection to making any important change so soon, and it was wisely decided to defer the matter.

THE PACKERS.

Among the packers yesterday, up to 3 o'clock, there was a feeling of uncertainty. None of them seemed to know what to expect. When approached on the eight-hour question they looked up wonderingly, and had nothing to say. They did not know if they were to be called upon to take any action, and were not ready to say what they would do if they should receive a notice from the trades-assembly to comply with the demand for eight hours' work and ten hours' pay. They seemed to expect something to happen, but had not the least idea in what shape it would appear. It was not until after 3 o'clock in the afternoon that any of the heads of the great packing-houses received any warning of the demand. Then Armour & Co.'s house was visited at the stock-yards by a committee of laboring men, who announced to Mr. Cudahy that they had come to ask that his house conform to the eight-hour rule in time and pay the employes the same wages which had been paid for ten hours' work. No intimation was given of the intended action of the employes if the request was not complied with. Mr. Cudahy replied to the request by saying he could not tell what would be done. He would have to wait until a conference could be had with Mr. Armour and other packers before giving the committee a definite reply.
The same committee visited a number of packing-houses at the stock-yards, at which they made a similar request. Among these were Fowler Brothers, N. K. Fairbank, Nelson Morris, Hately Brothers, Jones & Stiles, Silberhorn, Moran & Healy, and several others, at which they received a similar answer to that which was given by Mr. Cudahy at Armour & Co.'s.

Shortly after notice was received of the demand several prominent packers got together and went the rounds of the packing companies to see how they felt about it. There was little to say except that it was of

THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE

that the packers should hold a meeting, carefully consider the whole question, and decide to stand together upon some line of action. In pursuance of this talk, which was only general, there will be a meeting to-day of the representatives of the packing-houses to talk over the subject.

Shortly after the demand had been made Mr. Armour was seen at his office. He had just received word from Mr. Cudahy of the request, and looking up from the telegram he smiled as he said: "They have waited on us the very first ones, and want us to work our men but eight hours, with pay for the overtime, which, I suppose, means ten hours' pay."

"And what will you do about it?" was asked.

"We have not made any reply. Mr. Cudahy simply informed the committee that he was in no condition to give them an answer until after we had had a conference. We can not answer them until we confer with other packers. It is time for firmness, and the packing interests should stand together upon this question. I do not know where this committee came from, but do not think it is from our own men. They simply ask for less time and full pay, but do not say what will be done if we do not accede to the demand. We have

HAD NO DIFFICULTY

with our employes, and see no reason why we should have any. We believe in treating them justly, but shall deal with this question as it should be dealt with. We are employing now about four thousand men, which is a less number than usual. The stopping of the packing interests of Chicago would be a hard blow to everybody, especially the employes of the packing-houses. We shall have a meeting and decide what to do."

A call was made upon the representatives of several large packing-houses, none of whom seemed inclined to say what would be done. At one place the representative said it all depended upon what Armour did. "If he should decide to refuse to accede to the demand that would settle it," said he. "It would not only settle it with the other packers, who would stand by him, but it would settle it with the men. Armour employs a great many more men than any other packer, and if he says 'No' to this demand the men understand that he would close his establishment forever before he would change his mind. If Armour should say he would grant the request all the other packers would have to do the same thing or shut up shop. The whole matter will be decided before Monday."

The employes in the packing-houses at the stock-yards number about twelve thousand, many of them being married men who have been there for years and have homes of their own. It is said that but few of them belong to labor unions, and if outsiders would let them alone they would have little if any trouble with their employers. A packer said yesterday that the agitation among many of the men at the stock-yards had come from a lot of lazy, good-for-nothing tramps, who had not done a stroke of work for months, but who lived upon "agitation," compelling hard-working men to support them in idleness. He did not believe the honest laborers were in sympathy with the so-called eight-hour movement at the stock-yards, and doubted if, at heart, they were anywhere.

An adjourned meeting of the packing-house workmen was held at No. 3,109 South Halsted street, last evening, to hear reports from committees appointed the evening before to interview the packers on the question of adopting eight hours for a day's work. The attendance was even smaller than it had been the evening before, and the younger element was largely in the ascendency, which was interpreted as meaning that the more thoughtful and reliable of the employes were inclined to give the movement the cold shoulder.

John Sheehan called the meeting to order, and asked for reports from the several establishments. The responses were slow in being made, and eminently unsatisfactory, except from the International and Silberhorn companies. From the former of these one of the men reported that the proprietors had been seen during the day, and that

THEY HAD AGREED

to the eight-hour proposition, the change to go into effect Monday. Nothing, he said, had been said about the question of wages, but he thought that as soon as the eight-hour rule went into effect there would be no trouble in getting the wage subject adjusted satisfactorily. From the Silberhorn house the report was that the eight-hour rule would go into effect to-day, but there appeared to be a misunderstanding somewhere, for the reason that the men were undecided as to what hour they should report for work. As in the case of the International house, nothing was said of wages, but the men were confident that there would be nothing in the way of getting nine hours' pay for eight hours' work at once, and that in a short time they could even get an increase.

From the other houses--reports being made from all except Armour's, Counselman's, and Jones & Stiles'--the reports were to the effect that they were each waiting to see what the other proposed to do, in which particular they were very much like the men themselves. Nels Morris was reported as saying that he would give an answer Monday, and from Armour's came word that, while Mr. Cudahy, who had been talked to, had no individual objection to eight hours, he could not say what would be done until all of the houses had been notified and they had had an opportunity to get together and agree upon some plan of action. From the other houses the reports were that they would fall in with anything that might be agreed upon, all of which was anything else than assuring.

The meeting throughout was pacific, and the best of feeling prevailed. Several of the hot-headed and more enthusiastic several times proposed to strike at once and bring all of the establishments to terms, as they said, but they were promptly hooted down and sat upon. In fact, the sentiment appeared to be against resorting to any harsh measures under any circumstances, and the result was that by unanimous vote it was finally agreed to give the packing-house proprietors time to meet and discuss the situation, and to await a hearing from them before anything further was done. Another meeting will be held Monday evening, and in the meantime it is believed the packers will get together. In no event, however, is a strike anticipated at this time, for the reason, it was stated, that the men are disorganized, to say nothing of the fact that they are far from being united even on the eight-hour proposition. The men will all go to work this morning as usual.

BUILDING TRADE.

Contractors and builders were excited yesterday. They got together in knots about the exchange and discussed the eight-hour movement in a way that was decidedly energetic at times. Some of the builders had given notice to their men that they would suspend work for the present. One of them said: "I have given orders to shut down all work and to let every employe go, and I mean just what I say. I have done this with the determination to not lay a brick or do a lick of work until this trouble is settled. With me it is a question of principle. I wish every other contractor was of the same opinion. I also wish every one of them would shut down and stay shut down for a period long enough to settle this question. If I was a brickmaker I would not make a brick for a year. If I owned a stone-yard I would not sell a foot of stone while this trouble was on. The demands of a lot of these fellows that are on committees does not reach the true feeling of the laboring man. But they are in the same unions, and you can't touch the right one without injuring the unfortunate laborer that would be glad to work ten hours and receive his full pay."

Several contractors were found who had been asked by their foreman what they were going to do to-day. They had given orders for the foreman to keep the time of the men, whether they went to work at 7 or 8 o'clock and quite at 4 or 5 o'clock, and when the time-book came to them they would pay the men the same wages an hour which they had been paying.

Two builders were found congratulating each other that they had no jobs on hand. They were in a happy state of mind, and were sympathizing with some who were "in the mud up to their ears," as they expressed it. One of these was a member of a firm which last year erected buildings in the city which represented in value nearly $2,000,000. "I have been looking for this trouble," said he, "and have refused to bid for any work until the whole question is settled. I think I will make money by holding still a year, if necessary."

There were no formal demands made yesterday upon contractors and builders for less time, as that demand was made some time ago by the bricklayers and stonemasons. In the stone-yards the stone-cutters have only been working eight hours, but the laborers in the yards have been working ten hours. It is expected there will be some trouble with these men, as in a stone-yard it is necessary to have the laborers work an hour in advance of the stone-cutters in the morning to get the work ready and an hour in the evening after they quit to clear the yards.

There is so little building to do that there is no necessity for many of the heavier contractors worrying over the situation. In comparison with last year it is not expected the contracts for building this season will be more than one-half as great as it then was. This is the opinion of some of the heavier contractors, and their opinion is approved by the leading architects, who are fully posted on the situation.

GAS MEN.

Mr. C. K. G. Billings said last evening that about forty laborers employed by the People's Gas company had demanded eight hours for a day at the usual pay of $1.50 to $1.75. As the men were unskilled laborers they were paid off and told to wait a week or so for an answer as to whether their demand would be allowed. Mr. Billings was of the opinion that the men would be willing to return to work under the old schedule rather than lie idle very long, and if not there were a great many able-bodied men able and willing to take their places. The employes of the company other than laborers have made no complaints, and are not likely to cause any trouble, as they appear satisfied with their present wages and are not known to have any affiliation with the Knights of Labor.

It was reported yesterday that a strike had been inaugurated among the employes of the Chicago Gas-Light and Coke company. President Watkins says that all the foundations for such a report consist of the fact than on Thursday last one of his South-side gang foremen was notified by a number of laborers working on the street that unless they were paid $1.75 a day they would strike. The matter was reported at the office, and as labor was plenty and the work not of a character to warrant such an increase, the former was instructed to let the men go. Yesterday a squad of new men took their places, but were intimidated by a mob of about one hundred, principally outsiders, who frightened the men away, and work was suspended. Several of the old men have since said that they

were ready and eager to return at the former wages, but were actually afraid to do so. Mr. Watkins told the reporter that he had determined to suspend work on the streets during to-day, and all the pipe-layers and repairers would be withdrawn from their work. He anticipated no trouble with the gas-house men and believed the employes of the company were generally satisfied with their present pay and treatment.

BOOTS AND SHOES.

The Western Boot and Shoe Manufacturers' association met last evening at the Palmer house. A large attendance was present. A constitution and bylaws were adopted and an executive committee was appointed to take charge of all disputes and manage the general concerns of the association. A communication was presented by a committee of five of the Boot and Shoe Cutters' assembly, which waited on the association, announcing that after Monday next the men would work eight hours a day for eight hours pay, this state of affairs to continue for two weeks, but that on May 15 a schedule of prices would be submitted to the association for its consideration. This proposition was accepted, with the distinct understanding that it was not to have any effect upon existing contracts, or to work to the prejudice of employes who consented to work more than eight hours. It was claimed that four-fifths of the cutters in the city were members of the assembly. The announcement was made that on Monday last W.B. Jones & Co. had commenced paying their men, who worked eight hours, ten hours wages.

A meeting of the Shoemakers' assembly was also held last evening. The assembly was united in insisting upon the eight-hour labor rule. After considerable discussion a resolution pledging the association to work eight hours for eight hours' pay at present rates until the 15th inst., reserving the right to present a schedule of advanced wages to the employers after that date, was unanimously passed. A committee was appointed to wait upon a committee appointed by the employers in the boot and show trade at the Palmer house, and, after a couple of hours, it returned to the meeting with the resolution passed by the employers. Several of the members present attacked the language of the concluding clause in the resolution, emphatically stating that it was most equivocal and left the whole matter practically where it was before. Individuals in the shops the owners of which are likely to sustain the sentiment of the employers' resolution were then invited to speak, and said they would unanimously support the assembly resolution. Committees were appointed to wait upon the Henderson and Ludlow and other shops in which men having yearly contracts are employed, and the meeting terminated with a resolution to work but eight hours from next Monday morning.

APPEAL TO WORKINGMEN.

The following editorial form the pen of George Schilling appears in The Eight-Hour Day, the workingmens' paper, of this morning:

There is no use to discuss at this stage of the proceeding at any great length the merits or demerits of the eight-hour movement. That has been done more or less for the last twenty years, and within the last three or four months throughout the length and breadth of this country there has been such an energetic agitation on this subject-through tongue and pen-that all who wished to inform themselves had ample opportunity to do so. The labor organizations have been wheeling into line one after another, and to-day there is an army of organized workers in the industrial centers throughout this country demanding the reduction of the hours of labor for economic, moral, and intellectual reasons. Will society grant it, and thereby allow the peaceful evolution of society to a higher and better plane? The results of the coming week will be watched with interest by friends and foes alike. The atmosphere is filled with strikes and rumors of strikes. Some of the unions, we regret to say, have gone off half-cocked, and are complicating this eight-hour question too much with that of wages, and herein lies the greatest danger to the movement in this city. Many of the manufacturers declare that they can not pay the 20 per cent increase in wages until the same demand is successfully made of their eastern competitors. This looks reasonable, and The Eight Hour Day deprecates the action of those unions who have thereby complicated the situation, and are likely to endanger the success of the movement.

Competition is a factor in this question, and the workingmen of Chicago have no right to exact short hours and high wages from their employers unless similar demands are made elsewhere. The object of the labor movement is to bring about uniformity of conditions in wages, etc., so that no one employer has any undue advantage in the price of labor and conditions of employment over any other.

However, we are not discouraged because there is not all smooth sailing. Questions of this kind are usually solved when the sea runs high instead of a dead calm. Difficulties must be met and disposed of.

The coming week is the most responsible in the history of the labor movement of Chicago. Strikes must be averted if possible. Those under way should be settled through the art of diplomacy, instead of continued hostilities.

The various fragments of partially-organized workmen must be brought under one head-an eight-hour council-so that the entire movement may be conducted with the precision of clockwork. Men who have more passion than brains and are full of braggadocks must be put aside.

This is the hour that calls for cool, shrewd, but determined men. Above all things, be sober. Fellow-workers, the contest is before us. Its success or failure depends upon your heroic and intelligent conduct.

LABOR NOTES.

MARBLE YARDS.

At Davidson & Sons' marble-works, at the foot of North Market street, the ninety employes have made a demand for ten hours' pay for eight hours' labor. They have been working only eight hours since Jan. 1, but want a 20 per cent increase of wages. Mr. Davidson stated yesterday that he would close down the works last evening, and not reopen until next Monday. If at that time the men persisted in their demands he would close down for at least sixty days, and then it would depend entirely upon the state of trade whether he would start up. He was pressed very hard now by a class of competition he did not care to mention referring to the prison labor at Joliet, and it was impossible to operate under the scale of wages made by the men. The firm has 150 men employed at Milwaukee, but no trouble has arisen there. Here the business has been paralyzed by the uneasiness of labor. There was now a $100,00 contract in sight which the firm dare not take. "Otherwise we would crawl on our hands and knees after it," said Mr. Davidson laughingly.

The 150 men employed in the marble-works of the Producers' Marble company at No. 400 North Water street and D.H. Dickinson at No. 310 North Water street made a demand for ten hours' pay for eight hours' labor yesterday. The demands were refused but no settlement or strike had occurred up to last evening.

TOY MAKERS.

The employes of the St. Nicholas Toy company, No. 784 West Madison street, have requested eight hours work with the usual play, but where informed yesterday morning just before noon that it could not be conceded. The one hundred men thereupon quit work, but the boys and girl engaged in the work of painting and sewing on the cheaper line of toys and carriages remained and completed their day's work. The action of the company was in accordance with the decision reached at a meeting of the proprietors of the five factories in this city, whereby it was agreed to shut down if the men insisted in eight hours' work for ten hours' pay.

J. M. Nebele, manufacturer of baby carriages, has had the same demand, but will close up his factory if it is insisted on. He employes about one hundred men.

A SETTLEMENT.

The Western Electric company came to a satisfactory arrangement with its employes yesterday, and will be able to tide over the epidemic of strikes that other concerns have to contend against. The basis of the agreement is for fifty-six hours' labor a week or ten hours a day for five days and six hours on Saturday. There will no reduction of wages. The new order of things was brought about by the skilled workmen who are paid by the piece. They were willing to adopt the eight hour system, but felt it would be an injustice to the less-skilled men who did piecework, so the action taken is intended to satisfy all parties.

SHIP SUPPLIES.

The ship carpenters, calkers, and other employes at the Chicago Dry-Dock company have demanded eight hours and $2.50 a day as wages, commencing to-day. Supt. Mowatt has not yet decided what he will do in the premises, but will probably arrive at a decision during to-day.

At Miller's yard the employes have not yet made any demands, but they will probably join in the ship-yard strike during the next few days unless the matter is arranged. The calkers and carpenters have been receiving from $2.50 to $2.75 a day, the principal question now being a desire for shorter working hours.

DRY-GOODS CLERKS.

The employes of the Bee-Hive dry-goods store held a meeting last night and formed an early-closing association: The following officers were elected: President, M.F. Regan; vice president W.H. Forbes; secretary, Fred S. Ratterman; treasurer; A. J. Sullivan; sergeant-at-arms, A. L. West; working committee, H. Ross, E. Doyle, and N. Weber. Delegates from other firms were present, and took an active part. A vote of thanks was tendered Morgenthau, Bauland & Co., and they were elected honorary members of the association.

CIGAR-MAKERS.

Fred Becker, cigar-maker at No. 87 North Wells street, paid off his six employes yesterday and locked them out. His only reason was, he said, that he could not endure all "the--nonsense about eight hours," etc., the men were continually ringing in his ears. As soon as the men know just what they want he will start up again.

SHOT TOWER.

The fifty men employed at the shot tower and lead works of E.W. Blatchford & Brother have demanded ten hours' pay for eight hours' labor. The firm had not given an answer up to closing time last evening.

DISSATISFIED GIRLS.

The girls employed in the various cloak-making establishments about the city are for the most part dissatisfied with their lot, and while they will not march in the procession to-day they are quietly thinking over the matter of striking for a decrease of their hours of labor and an increase of wages. The girls in the employ of L. Hellprin & Co., at No. 147 Fifth avenue, while they have not gone on a strike have intimated that whether or not their hours of labor are decreased, they will expect before many days an increase of wages. One of the members of the firm told a reporter that the girls were satisfied with their lot, but the girls deny it. One of the girls in a certain cloak factory said yesterday: "I suppose the cutters, who are men, are satisfied, because they get good wages,-about $3 a day,-but some of the poor girls can work away from morning until night, and sometimes will hardly make $3 a week. If a girl can make $7 a week she is considered as doing mighty well. I don't know what profit there is in the cloak business, but I do think there is enough to allow a poor girl who devotes her entire day to drudgery sufficient money to at least procure her actual necessities."

PLUMBERS.

A committee of the Master Plumbers' association met a committee of the journeymen plumbers yesterday afternoon and informed the men that after May 1 the masters would allow them nine hours' pay for eight hours' work. There is mutual good feeling existing between the master plumbers and their journeymen.

COOPERS' STRIKE.

The coopers employed by George Rounsavell, in the northwestern section of the city, to the number of sixty, demanded ten hours' pay for eight hours' work yesterday, and were very promptly told that they might go, and they went. Mr. Rounsavell says he will close up his shop and keep it closed if necessary for awhile. He expects, however, to be able to get all of the men he wants in a few days on the old terms.

OBTAINED THEIR WISHES.

The executive committee of the machinists' assembly, Knights of Labor, No. 5,184, last night issued a bulletin stating that Fraser and Chalmers had conceded the eight-hour demand of their employes, and would run their shop with two shifts in future, if necessary. It was also stated that Crane Brothers had conceded eight hours to all of their employes, and would pay time and a half if overtime was necessary, and advance the pay as circumstances would warrant. The following firms have also assented to the plan: Tarrant's, McDonald's, Vulcan Iron-works, Scoville's, Featherstone's, Willard's, Gates', Peacock's, West-division car-shops, and the Link Belt company. The Bullock Manufacturing company has refused to make concession.

PRINTERS.

All the publishers and job printing establishments in the city received a lengthy circular from the Typographical union yesterday evening, submitting the new scale of wages and hours of work as fixed by that organization April 25, and requesting a committee of the publishers and printers to meet the president, vice president, and secretary of the union May 8, and confer with them as to what the publishers think of the new schedule. The prinicapal changes in the circular are the reduction of the hours of labor from ten to eight: book work is increased from 37 to 43 cents a thousand erns, and composition on weekly papers from 37 to 40 cents a thousand erns.

In most instances the circular was a surprise party to the publishers, but the majority of them had declared in advance that they would not and could not make any increase in the scale of wages. The committee of publishers and employers is requested to meet the committee of the union May 8, because the organization meets the following day, when a report is expected from them. Should the publishers refuse to accept the terms, a strike will in all probability be ordered.

Trunk Manufacturers.

A general call was issued to the trunk manufacturers of the country to meet at the Grand Pacific hotel yesterday to discuss the general subjects of prices, production, and the eight-hour movement. Only fourteen out of the fifty-three firms responded, and the general unsettled condition of trade and the uncertainty about what action the men would take led those present to delay taking any decisive action until a larger representation could be got together. Telegrams were sent to the absent firms requesting their views and determination on the question of acceding to or rejecting the demand for eight hours' work, should such a demand become general, and pending the receipt of information the meeting adjourned until this morning when it is expected that some definite and decided action will be taken.