AN IDLE ARMY.

Ten Thousand Recruits Added to the Number of the Unemployed Workmen.

Freight-Handlers on All of the Railroads Save One Go Out.

Lumber Manufacturers Resolve to Stand Together and Resist All Their Men’s Demands.

Packers Rather Disposed to Make a Compromise if It Is Anyway Possible.

All Is Quiet Throughout the City and No Trouble Is Feared Now.

A Day’s Doings.

THE SITUATION.

The events of yesterday added from seven to nine thousand men to the idle army of workmen which is now standing around the streets and filling the saloons of Chicago, and it can be truthfully said that 35,000 men, who two days ago were earning wages and adding to the wealth of the community, are now unemployed, and the probability is that in about 10 per cent of the cases this condition will last for a year or more. The most notable strike yesterday was with the railroads, all of the twenty-five in Chicago being affected, with the lone exception of the Baltimore and Ohio. That exception was, however, simply a social freak, and it will probably be included in the general round-up by to-morrow. So far only the freight-handlers have gone out, but this means over three thousand men, with a stoppage of freight business until their places can be supplied, and the added fact that the attempt to supply them will probably result in trouble, which past experience has shown Chicago has neither a mayor or Illinois a governor to handle it. In addition to this the railroads are hampered with the fear that the trouble may spread to other branches of their service and thus further complicate matters. This is really the gravest side to the situation, for a stoppage of railroad business means a paralysis of every other trade except perhaps the street fakir or the banana-seller.

The lumber manufacturers made a notable move in getting together and placing their affairs in the hands of an executive committee, with full power to act, thus imitating the furniture manufacturers, and practically forming a union of employers to fight a union of employes, a contest of whose result there can be no doubt. The boxmakers did the same thing, and the iron manufacturers, while having no association, are practically united so that the three large interests—furniture, lumber, and iron—presented a united front to the demands of these men.

The packers have conceded in part what was asked of them, and as their employes are not any too anxious to strike, there is little probability of trouble in the town of Lake.

As for the other industries affected, almost all of the concerns are fighting the matter out, each for itself, and while in some instances the demands of the men have been yielded to, in the main they have been refused, and the prospect for a speedy settlement of the trouble and a revival of business is by no means flattering.

THE RAILROADS.

Theorizing as to the extent of the strike among the freight-handlers and as to which road would suffer and which escape—a general topic among the managers and heads of departments for several days past—gave way yesterday to the actuality, and demonstrated that the craze was on and not to be avoided. Traffic in all directions that embraced freight handled at the transfer-houses practically ceased, and no attempt was made to force the movement. It was a half-hearted, unwilling strike in the majority of cases, in many instances the men being driven or intimidated. Basing their opinion upon this fact, many of the superintendents are confident that with a little reflection, apart from the shouting, pleading, and turmoil of the mob, the laborers will be glad to return and pick up their trucks again.

The managers seem to be of one mind in regard to the manner of treating the demand. One who talks with authority for the Rock Island road, speaking of the matter, said: “Our men did not want to quit. They are well paid and well treated, and they know it. Their petition was made in a half-hearted way, and they walked out fearing the scoffs and jeers of the outsiders. They dread to be taunted with want of sympathy with their comrades, and quit, not having any grievance, but thinking in a blind and dazed sort of a way that their action would have some possible bearing on the future. We concluded, as it was Saturday, that it would be better to shut up the freight-houses and suspend business until Monday. No concessions will be made by this road. The conditions of business will not warrant any change. Neither will we treat with the strikers at present. With their minds inflamed, their passions aroused by wild and senseless appeals, they are not amenable to reason. When the period of excitement is over, if the men have any grievances and will formulate them, they will be listened to with respect, and dealt with justly. We will wait until Monday morning, and if the old hands do not return we will put on new men. If these are interfered with we shall ask for proper protection to carry on our business. That is all the planning we have done for the future. If this thing keeps on, strikes in every quarter and all outside trade and manufactures upset, we will soon have no use for men—there will be no business for us to do.”

The Burlington will adopt a similar programme. The final answer has been given the men, and if they do not put in an appearance at the freight-houses to-morrow morning other laborers will be employed. The demand for less hours or more pay will not be listened to. The Alton will give its men

TIME TO TALK

and think the matter over among themselves, and if they do not come back Monday morning other men will take their places. The superintendent of the Eastern Illinois says that his company will wait a reasonable time, as it does not want to displace its old hands. They were intimidated and left reluctantly, considering it perilous to work with the great body of the freight-handlers out. The company will not accede to the petition, and will put on new men if forced to. The position taken by the St. Paul yesterday will be adhered to, and preparations will be made to replace the strikers Monday if they persist in staying out. There is no use of prolonging the list, as the above voices the decision and feeling of those in authority. But little is said on the subject among the eastern roads, as the managers are mostly out of town, and the situation had to be referred to them and instructions as to future action solicited by telegraph. The belief among the officials, however, is that no concessions will be made, and that all of the roads will stand firm in resisting the demand.

In summing up the feeling of the heads of the roads in a matter it would not be true to say that they present a universally determined front. Some are fighters by instinct when they are convinced that there is no warrant for such wholesale desertions, and these would prefer to fight out the issue now and settle it. Others, while equally emphatic in their condemnation of the baseless strike, as they call it, would temporize, possibly compromise, if they were not in a hopeless minority. As it is, they will probably be borne down and compelled to submit to the ideas of the majority. Summed up, the temper of the managers is, with the few exceptions noted, to resist what they consider an unwarranted strike, made by unskilled laborers without justification. These men, they say, are better paid than any other class of workmen in the city who bring nothing but muscle and brawn to the market. The change of time is impracticable, an advance of wages out of the question. The men can go to work Monday morning if they desire, if not other men will be employed. Incidentally to this, they will insist on protection, not asking it as a favor but demanding that the proper authorities see that no obstacle is put in the way of carrying on the trade and commerce of the city, in which the roads are a factor.

Some of the managers, while duly alive to the gravity of the situation, are doing some quiet chuckling among themselves over the progress of events. Two or three of the roads—it is not necessary to single them out by name—detected symptoms of the approaching storm a couple of months ago and made every preparation to weather it safely. They advanced the wages of their switchmen without being asked, sought out possible sources of disaffection, and made such concessions as they thought would fortify their position; in fact, did all that prudent and conservative men could do to insure their exemption from strikes, troubles, and labor agitations. They might just as well have kept up the old order of things, for they were by no means the last lines to suffer. In fact, they led the van, and fell under the ban

AMONG THE FIRST.

The only moral the others draw from this circumstance is that the agitation can not be allayed by concession, that it is in the air, and, like a pestilence, must run its course. The only remedy is the heroic one—meet it and starve it out.

There was a rumor afloat that a meeting of the several superintendents of the lines was to be held during the afternoon, to consult together as to what action should be taken to meet the strike. There was no truth in it. Neither managers nor superintendents have come together on this question, nor will they until it assumes a more serious aspect. Naturally, the general sentiment is well understood, and doubtless has its influence on individual action. To again quote one of the head officials: “We are all in for it; it will be our own fault if we do not act as a stay on further aggressive action. To yield to this is only to open the way for a repetition during the summer. There is nothing to gain and everything to lose by tamely yielding. A successful resistance to outrageous demands will not only preserve our own independence, but may prove the turning point outside, and help to restore order among the other branches of commerce upon which our own prosperity depends.”

The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul’s sheds until 10 o’clock presented their usual appearance, but at that hour the men stopped work and quit to a man. They had agreed to work until 10 o’clock, so as to take care of all the perishable freight, and by that time all of that property had been either delivered to the owners or placed in the cars ready for shipment. The men then went out, and none of them were seen near the depot during the rest of the day. The men belonging to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy freight-shed congregated near the place about 7 o’clock yesterday morning, probably more from force of habit than anything else, for none of them tried to get into the depot or seemed to show any inclination to go back to work. After loitering about the place for about an hour a leader was elected, and a

START WAS MADE

for some of the other streets to see if the men were at work, and if so to prevent their doing anything more. The men commenced their march over the bridge, and at each step outsiders joined in the ranks, so that by the time they had reached the Wabash road an enormous crowd had assembled, being composed probably of one striker to every ten outsiders. Upon reaching the Wabash sheds the men commenced to pour in through every open door. A leader climbed on top of a pile of boxes and urged the men to strike at once for shorter hours and join forces with them. This the men refused to do, stating that they were very well satisfied with the present wages. Some of the men, however, followed the crowd as it left the place, but in a short time returned and went back to work as if nothing had happened. After working about an hour longer without being disturbed, the mob again came to the place and once more tried to the men to leave work and join them. This time the speaker not only tried to persuade them, but even used threats if they would not immediately stop and leave the place. Police aid was summoned and the place cleared for a time. A consultation of the officers of the road was held, and it was decided to close for the rest of the day, only keeping such men as would be absolutely necessary to dispose of the freight on hand. All the men, therefore, with the exception of ten, were told to go home, but to be sure to come back Monday morning, and then they would have proper protection. The few men who staid worked the remainder of the day without being molested. The road is in the hands of a receiver appointed by the court, hence the road claims protection, and has called upon the United States for protection. Monday morning a large force of marshals will be on hand, and the men

WILL BE PROTECTED.

if force has to be used, it being the intention of the road to try and do business as usual. Large white placards, warning all trespassers, rioters, and strikers not to come near the depots or in any way interfere with the regular working of the road, have been tacked up in conspicuous places.

In the meantime the managers of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois railroad had witnessed what had taken place in the Wabash sheds, and were momentarily expecting a similar visit. Every precaution was taken to prevent their coming. The thirty-five men employed in the depot were ordered to shut all the doors and lock them fast. Police protection was asked and given in the shape of one solitary policeman, who, after taking a look at the crowd, concluded that he would not interfere with them. The managers then from their windows in the office saw the mob leave the Wabash and march toward them. Thinking everything was secure, and with the aid of the police protection the managers seemed to think that they could hold their own. The crowd tried to open the doors, then pounded on them and demanded to be admitted. The men inside, however, were firm, and continued to work out what little freight was left. One of the strikers, however, found a door which had not been securely fastened, and in a few moments the entire shed was filled with the crowd, which immediately commenced to talk to the men about the benefit of going on a strike. The men were firm in refusing to do as told, but upon threats being made, concluded to leave the place for the day at least. As the men were leaving one of them stopped and told the freight agent that he had been working for the road seventeen years, and that he was leaving against his will but promised to be back Monday morning. After gaining this victory the crowd marched toward the freight depot of the Rock Island shortly before 10 o’clock. Here there came near being serious trouble, the strikers by this time having become very excited. About eighty-five men are employed in this depot, and although they had sent in a petition for an advance of 25 cents a day, or ten hours’ pay with eight hours’ work, yet they had not

DETERMINED UPON STRIKING.

The strikers swarmed into the depots, and threatened the men if they did not stop at once. Some of the men who had been in the employ of the company for years were highly indignant, and one of them tried to drive a striker out and was assaulted, but not seriously hurt. At this point Freight Agent Gleason appeared and tried to secure order. He stated to the men that the petition from them for an advance had been received, but that it would be impossible to give an answer till Monday. The crowd was again victorious, and the entire gang of men marched out and joined in the procession, although they had agreed not to leave till Monday, when the answer from the road would be given. The managers of the road state that the men have not any grievances, they are paid as high wages as on any road, and are always allowed extra time, some of the men making five or six extra days each month.

The next place visited was the Chicago and Atlantic railroad shed. Here fifty men were found hard at work. They were ordered to stop and join in the strike. Being so few in numbers they were compelled to do so, although they were apparently satisfied with the old arrangement, not even having sent in a petition, as most of the men on the other roads have done.

The procession marched past the Lake Shore freight-house, but all the doors were closed, and the placed seemed

TO BE DESERTED.

One of the crowd, however, climbed up to the window and found all the men at work checking and trucking freight. A cry was raised, and the crowd turned back to see what was the matter. The men commenced to pour through the open window, and perhaps a dozen or fifteen got inside before being discovered. These immediately warned the men to stop work. Police officers were sent to the scene, and the outsiders ordered away, but they had been inside long enough to cause trouble, and the managers of the road thought the best course would be to close for the rest of the day. Supt. Amsden said that the out-freight men, about seventy in number, had sent him a petition asking for ten hours pay with eight hours work and half again as much pay for all extra work, or an advance of 20 percent with the old hours. No action has been taken in regard to the matter as yet, and it is thought that the men will return to work Monday morning unless something important occurs in the meantime. About 250 men are employed in the in and out freight sheds, and many of them have been in the employ of the road for years.

Twenty-five men at the Louisville, New Albany and Chicago depot next left their trucks and joined in the crowd, which then moved toward the Rock Island out-freight house on Polk street. The managers in this place were too sharp for them, for, seeing the crowd approach and fearing an invasion of the place, gave orders to shut down and told the men to go home. When the crowd reached the place everything was found secure and not a man to be seen. Some time was spent in climbing to a high open window to see if everyone inside had gone. Being deserted inside the men were apparently satisfied, and left. When the procession reached the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago depot it was nearly noon. Part of them went inside to confer with the men, and learned that a petition, signed by all the men, asking for more pay and less work, had been sent to the agent, and an answer was expected at noon. About 125 men are employed, and out of these 100 have quit work, while 25 are still at work handling

THE PERISHABLE PROPERTY.

At this point about three thousand striking furniture-makers joined in the procession, and a march was made in the direction of the Milwaukee depot. Here they found the sheds closed and no work being done. At this place the men in the crowd, being quite tired, concluded to leave, and in a short time most of them had dispersed. At the Grand Trunk depot all was quiet, the eighty-five men having appeared as usual yesterday morning but refused to go to work, having sent in a demand for extra pay, which the road refused to grant. The men in their paper stated that if their wishes were not complied with they would leave at 10 o’clock, but instead of doing as agreed really left Friday night. The agent, however, saw there would be trouble and took the precaution to care for all the perishable freight, so that the road is really prepared for the strike. The Chicago and Alton depot somehow escaped a visit from the mob, although in the line of its march. The road has about fifty men in the out-freight and thirty in the in-freight shed. The road has accepted only what freight has been absolutely necessary to take, and great difficulty has been experienced in doing this. In the afternoon the men in the out-freight shed went out, having sent in a demand for more wages, which the road refused to comply with.

The men in the Illinois Central depot until yesterday noon were apparently satisfied, but after having a short meeting during the dinner hour it was thought best to make a demand for more pay. A petition was therefore made asking for an advance of 25 cents a day with the same number of working hours. The two hundred men signed the petition, and stated that they would wait till Monday night at 6 o’clock for an answer. About 3 o’clock a committee from the strikers on the other roads put in an appearance, and it was thought best to close the place for the day, only a few men being kept at work to finish what work

WAS ON HAND.

The freight-handlers on the Michigan Central were not to be outdone by their brethren on the Illinois Central in the way of making demands, and so they sent in a petition for an advance of 25 cents a day, giving the road till Monday night to answer. In the meantime they agreed to handle all freight and work as usual till the time agreed upon had expired. However, while the men were at work a committee from other roads put in an appearance, and the superintendent, to avoid trouble, closed the sheds and told the men to go home, but first asked them to be on hand Monday morning. At the Baltimore and Ohio depot the sixty men worked all day and were not troubled by the strikers, neither have they sent in a demand for any change in wages or time of working. At the Galena division of the Chicago and Northwestern all was quiet yesterday, all the men being at work, and everything made snug in case of trouble. About 6 o’clock, just as the ninety men were leaving work in the out-freight shed, it was decided to send in a demand for eight hours’ work with ten hours’ pay, but the men agreed to come Monday morning and put everything in shape before leaving. The men at the North branch depot of the Chicago and Northwestern sent in a demand for shorter hours without a decrease of pay. Late in the afternoon a reply was received stated that the road could not do as requested. The men then held a meeting and decided not to return to work, but upon the urgent request of the local agent they agreed to come Monday and handle what perishable freight was on hand. At the Burlington and Quincy transfer depot at Sixteenth street thirty men went out late in the afternoon because their demand was

NOT COMPLIED WITH.

The switchmen of the Illinois Central last week made a demand on the superintendent for $50 a month and extra pay on Sunday. No answer has yet been returned, and so the men will meet to-day at 2 o’clock, and No. 2,950 South Clark street, to take action in the matter. This trouble, although coming rather suddenly, has been expected by the managers of the different roads, and every precaution has been taken to provide for it. For the past day or two they have been very careful about taking perishable freight, and when it was taken it was immediately placed in cars and shipped to its destination. Many of the depots are almost empty, only a box here and there being left. In fact, it could hardly have come at a better time.

A regular stagnation of business is anticipated at the custom-house as one of the results of the railroad freight-handlers’ strike. After 11 o’clock yesterday the entry clerks had nothing to do, because there was no one to unload the cars of imported goods arriving in bond over the various roads from the seaboard. The customs inspectors, assisted by the freight clerks, succeeded in unloading three cars at the Fort Wayne freight-house, but this was all that was done after the strike became general.

METAL TRADE.

Notwithstanding the fact that so many workingmen were idle in the South division, that quarter of the city was very quiet yesterday, in fact it was ominously quiet. Squads of men numbering from three to six in a company, walked along State street and Wabash and Michigan avenues during the afternoon smoking their pipes and discussing the situation, and many of the toilers who had obeyed the mandates of their various organizations spent the greatest part of the afternoon in the Lake-front park. The men in the park were of the sober and thoughtful character, and their looks bespoke the fact that their idleness was irksome and far from welcome to them. Three elderly men were sitting together talking over their condition when a reporter for THE TIMES intruded upon them.

“How are you men enjoying your vacation?” he asked.

“Are you a reporter?”

“Yes.”

“Well, it’s rather dangerous for a minority to give vent to a sentiment of opposition to one which has been adopted by a majority, no matter what the personnel of that majority may be.”

“Then you would rather be at work than be idle under the present circumstances. Is that it?”

“That’s it, exactly.”

“Then why didn’t such of you as wanted to work remain in your shops. By the way, what is your trade?”

“We are iron-molders. Young man, did you ever hear of the story of the rats that held a convention to devise means for checking the in-roads a certain cat was making upon their endeavors to secure food? Well, the rats passed a resolution declaring that some of their number should be appointed a committee to put a bell around his catship’s neck, so that the rats would be warned of his approach. This was all very well, but when it came to accepting a place on the committee the rats that had voted for the resolution felt

A PARDONABLE DELICACY

at accepting the place, for reasons best known to themselves and students of natural history. That story is an illustration of our situation to a nicety. The men with families and responsibilities upon them were for the most part satisfied with their lot. But the younger and careless, or devil-may-care, element had the majority, and we had to knock under to them. It wouldn’t be very healthy for us to try to go back to work, for we would be certainly terrorized by our late comrades and driven back again. The question with us is who among us will have the courage to bell the strike ‘cat.’ I’m certain that none of us want to tackle the job.”

A reporter dropped into the works of the Dearborn Foundry company, at No. 1,525 Dearborn street, yesterday afternoon, and found the works deserted. As the reporter had visited the same place the day before and found everything booming, inquiry was made as to the cause of the desertion. Mr. Edward T. Cushing, treasurer of the company, said: “Why, we had a high old time of it here yesterday with our men. Some of them suddenly caught the strike fever, and they insisted upon spreading it among their fellow-workmen. They stopped work and held a meeting for the purpose of making a demand, but just what sort of a demand they didn’t know. Some of them wanted eight hours’ work with ten hours’ pay, others wanted to ask for eight hours’ work only, while the older and really more responsible men did not want to make a demand at all. Here was a three-cornered fight, and personalities were indulged in ad lib., and blows were threatened. The meeting dissolved itself before the men had decided what they wanted, and another general row was threatened when the company took the bull by the horns by deciding to close the works at once. Immediately after this decision was reached I posted the following notice in the most conspicuous places in the shops:

“NOTICE!

“Owing to the unsettled condition of the labor market, our works are hereby closed until further notice.

THE DEARBORN FOUNDRY CO.

“The men were astonished at this sudden turn of affairs, but they left the shops without saying a word. This throws about 150 men out of employment for I don’t know how long, and I am very sorry for it on account of some worthy men of families who wanted to work, and who are putting every dollar they earn to good advantage, but the company determined not to be

DICTATED TO.

Mr. F. H. Head, president of the Malleable iron-works, where seven hundred men made a demand for eight hours’ with a full day’s pay, and are in consequence out of employment, said that the action of the men was unexpected, for the reason that two months ago the pay of the men throughout the works had been increased about 10 per cent, and they had expressed themselves as entirely satisfied. They were now getting from 25 to 50 cents a day more than the employes of any malleable-iron company in the west. It was, Mr. Head said, utterly impossible to run the works on the eight-hour basis. It amounted to a 20 per cent increase in prices, which could not be done, but in addition it entailed an extra expense in proportion to the product for the salaries men, clerks, foremen, and agents, besides taxes, insurance, and the other expenses, that could not be cut under any circumstances. The men were to hold a meeting to-day, and they might think better of the action taken and return to work.

Mr. Scoville, of the Wells-French company, said that his men were more scared out of work than through any desire to coerce the firm themselves by striking. As a matter of fact the company would make money by remaining closed, for business was exceedingly dull, and what work was taken was done on purpose to keep the men employed. The works would be opened to the men Monday morning if they wanted to return.

Mr. Benner of the Benner iron-works, said that he had told his one hundred employes that he would have the furnace going on Monday morning at 7 o’clock, and they could come to work on the old terms if they wanted to. If not, they could call and

GET THEIR MONEY.

The firm has some contracts to get out, and Mr. Benner thought that this had induced the men to strike, believing that he would be forced to give in to their demand for ten hours’ pay for an eight-hour day. “We shall see who gives in first. I can stand it if the men can.”

The rolling-mills have not as yet experienced any trouble with their employés, who have consented to remain at work until their demands have received consideration and a decision been arrived at. The managers are not disposed to disregard appeals where they have been made, and in one or two instances concessions have been or will be made, which will obviate any difficulties that might arise. Under such circumstances the attitude of the freight-handlers is the only cause that may result in the shutting down of some of the mills. Mr. Parks, of the North Chicago rolling-mills, said yesterday that his company had realized that their employes actually wanted an increase of wages, regardless of the hours of work. “We have made some concessions to our men already,” he stated further, “and at the present time we do not anticipate any trouble, except in the event that the railroads should not be able to supply us with certain material which it is absolutely necessary we should have. For instance, we must be in daily receipt of 1,200 tons of certain material, and if we are not we must shut down, but this trouble we do not anticipate at this time.”

“Our furnaces are all running,” said Mr. H. H. Porter, of the Union Steel company, “and we have no reasons for believing that they will not continue. Our men, so far as we know, are satisfied, and the

EIGHT-HOUR MOVEMENT

does not affect us anyhow, as the furnaces are not run by the hour.”

Mr. Lewis, of the Calumet Iron and Steel company, had not heard of any trouble at his mills, nor did he expect any. The employes had not expressed any grievances, and it was his impression that they had none. He understood, however, that some ex-employes, who had been discharged about a year ago, before he became the manager for the company, had endeavored to foment discord, and in this they had not succeeded. “These men who were discharged,” said Mr. Lewis, “would like to get back, but they do not care to work alongside those who took their places. They can not induce me to discharge these men, who are performing their duties satisfactorily, and I therefore suppose they can not enter our employment.”

The employes of the Chicago Screw company, West Washington street, went out yesterday at 8 P. M., after negotiating with the secretary of the company for a greater part of the day without success for ten hours’ pay for eight hours’ work. Mr. Roberts, the secretary, stated to the reporter that their greatest trouble was with the unskilled portion of their men. The present staff numbered seventy-five. They would not grant the demands made.

At the Gates iron-works, North Clinton street, a strike was averted last Thursday by an agreement with the men for eight hours’ pay for eight hours’ work. The men have been led to expect a raise in their pay at an early date, and are satisfied.

The seventy men employed at W. McGregor & Co.’s works (portable and stationary engine-works) did not strike, but agreed to the proposition to work eight hours for eight hours’ pay for the present, with the understanding that an increase will be granted as soon as it can be made uniform among the iron-workers. E Event8

The one hundred men at the A. Plamondon Manufacturing company’s works, Clinton street, will commence work to-morrow morning on the eight-hour principle, but will receive only eight hours’ pay for the present. Mr. Plamondon, president of the company, told the reporter that the men did not demand ten hours’ pay for eight hours’ work, but that some uniform increase might be made later on, though none had been.

The Simonds Manufacturing company, saws, Canal street; E. Lehmpuhl & Co., machinists, Canal street; the Chicago die and machine works, West Lake street, and several other machine works have settled with their men on the principle of eight hours’ work and eight hours’ pay.

The four hundred men employed by the L. Wolff Manufacturing company’s copper and brass works, West Lake street, have agreed upon the eight hours’ work, and

PAY IN PROPORTION,

and will not strike. The Crane Brothers Manufacturing company have shut down, but may resume in a day or two on the same terms.

The employes in Cragin Brothers’ tin works at Cragin, numbering in all about 150, struck for eight hours’ work and ten hours’ pay yesterday morning. They came to work as usual, but with the expressed determination to present their demands to Mr. Cragin, through Supt. C. Hubbard. The demand was refused, and all left except those employed in the galvanizing department, who work twelve hours during the busy season.

Yesterday the men employed in the foundry of Vierling, McDowell & Co., at the corner of Twenty-third street and Stewart avenue, to the number of over one hundred, struck for ten hours’ pay and eight hours’ work. The firm informed the men that it was utterly impossible for them to grant the demand, and rather than do it they would shut down. Mr. L. Vierling, the secretary of the company, informed the reporter that they would make an attempt on Monday to open up the machine-shop, but would make no effort to start up the foundry. In the present state of trade it would be utterly impossible for them to run eight hours unless it was universal all over the country.

At the Union Steel company’s works, at Bridgeport, the manager reported all quiet, and said he expected no trouble and had no information of any kind whatever.

At the Aetna iron-works, near Market and Ohio streets, the men withdrew their demands of ten for eight, and continued at work.

THE FOLLOWING CARD

has been issued by J. McGregor Adams, president of the Adams & Westlake Co.:

In consequence of the present agitation it has been deemed wise, in the interest of our men, not to start up the shops of the Adams and Westlake Manufacturing company for the present. All wages due will be paid on Monday, May 3, as usual, at 5 o’clock P. M. This is not a “lockout.” Work will be resumed as soon as the present agitation subsides.

By reason of the disturbed condition of labor, work in the Union Brass Manufacturing company will not be resumed until further notice. All wages due will be paid at the office of the company on Tuesday, May 4 inst. at 5 o’clock P. M.

J. McGREGOR ADAMS, President

This is the reply given by the employing galvanized iron-cornice workers to the request on them by their men for eight-hours’ work, with eight-hours’ pay during May and with ten hours’ pay thereafter:

TO OUR EMPLOYES: In reply to the request made upon us yesterday by your committee, that we run our respective works eight hours per day for eight hours’ pay during May, and for ten hours’ pay thereafter, we desire to say: That we are firmly of the belief that the eight-hour day is not suited to our interests or yours; we have little to do in the winter and spring months, are busy during the summer and rushed in the fall, and feel that under those conditions it should be your policy, as well as that of ourselves, to work as many hours as possible during the busy seasons, which, fortunately, are those of good weather. As you are paid by the hour, this enables you to make up then for the time you are obliged to lose during the dull months and during bad weather. We feel that to make an arbitrary rule for short hours, at present rates per hour, will lessen you earnings, increase the cost of living for you, and as our rent, office expenses, advertising, insurance, foremen’s wages will be the same for eight hours as for ten, it will increase the cost of work to us. In this city, where the eight-hour day, if adopted at all, will, we presume, be so universally, the effect will be increased cost of building, with less of it to do,--therefore less work for you,--and as it is unlikely that the eight-hour day will be adopted in the country shops they will have that advantages over us; we will be unable to successfully compete for work outside of this city, which will again mean less work for you. These are our views upon the question of shortening the working hours during the busy season. As to increasing wages 25 per cent, which ten hours’ pay for eight hours’ work amounts to, we feel the request is unreasonable and can not be complied with. We know that, owing to the agitation of this question, large amounts of work have already been withdrawn from the market, and to quiet this agitation and allow building to be resumed we take this stand now, and trust you will, upon reflection, see that your interests are one with ours and do what you can to assist us in these endeavors.

Will say, in conclusion, that we have decided that in the future, as in the past, our shops will be open for work for as many hours as our business warrants and requires, and that our hours of labor can not be reduced.

We now trust you will consider this reply in the spirit in which it is made, as we have tried to look at the question from your standpoint as well as from our own. Thomas Allen, Charles Thieleman, R. E. Dewey, J. C. McFarland, William H. White, Wolcott & McIlroy, Henry Spaltenstein, F. Campe, L. Berigen, Knisely & Miller, Fred Jaeger, W. J. Smurcka & Brother, E. E. Noyes, F. Slavik, Louis Biegler, John P. Townsend, A. J. Welin, Hartman & Clausen, Maypole Brothers, Charles Doering, H. G. Kelly, Campe & Hass, George M. Gross, Ed Kirk, Jr., H. H. Warner, Price & Kaufman, Robert Hughes, Richard Knisely & Son, Hartman & Ewing.

The metal-workers adjourned from the hall, No. 54 West Lake street, for the afternoon, and met in Seipp’s hall, Lake and Desplaines streets, in the evening, for the purpose of receiving reports from the various shops, considering particular cases, and answering a request from the Central Labor union to send delegates to the meeting of the latter to be held this evening at 7 o’clock at No. 54 West Lake street. After considerable opposition three delegates were appointed, in accordance with the request. A number of reports from the different striking shops were heard and passed upon. The reports indicated some progress in the way of settlement between employes and employers in several cases. In nearly all these eight hours’ work were demanded, but in no case did the men receive more than nine hours’ pay. The union meets again this evening at No. 99 West Randolph street to further consider the situation.

FURNITURE-MAKERS.

There was a little change in the affairs of the furniture-workers yesterday. While the men themselves gained some concessions, their union received a very dense black eye. The first and heaviest blow struck was at a meeting held late Friday evening at the factory of A. H. Andrews & Co. The men there had made the usual ten-for-eight demand. Several days ago the firm had made a general reduction in salaries and wages, from the heads of the concern down to the humblest employes. These reductions averaged about 10 per cent. Several days ago the firm replied to the ten-for-eight demand by offering to restore the old scale of wages. On Friday afternoon the men notified the firm that they refused the offer, and would go out upon a strike the following day if the ten-for-eight demand was not conceded. Mr. Holbrook, treasurer for the firm and president of the Furniture Manufacturers’ association, asked the men to meet him in the evening to talk the matter over with him. They responded, and with them came the president and secretary of the Furniture-Worker's union and several strikers from the Mayer & Co. and other factories. When the meeting was called to order Mr. Holbrook told them that he had come there to treat with business men and gentlemen, and men who wanted to do what was right for the mutual interests of employers and employes. He called for an expression of approval of that sort of a conference. The men all held up their hands in approval. Mr. Holbrook then noted the presence of

THE OFFICERS AND AGITATORS

of the union, and called the attention of his employes to the matter and told the men that he thought they were able to attend to their affairs without the assistance of the agitators. It was a meeting of men concerned in the house of A. H. Andrews & Co. alone, and not a union meeting. He would not intrude upon the union to such an extent as to force himself into one of the meetings, and it was the height of presumption in union men to be present at a meeting to which they had not been invited. Unless they would leave he would be compelled to withdraw himself. The agitators protested their alleged rights and intention to remain.

Mr. Holbrook replied that if the union was of more consequence to the men than the firm which employed them, they could remain. By this time the men themselves had grown weary of the impertinence of the agitators, and cries of “Put ‘em out!” rang throughout the hall, and the agitators were being hustled along toward the door. The president of the union, a diminutive, insignificant, red-headed socialist named Stauschgielschgt, or thereabouts, whose salary of $15 a week as an agitator is more than double what he was ever able to earn as a cabinet-maker, was in a terrible rage. Fairly frothing at the mouth, he shrieked: “I von’t go oud. I vas de bresident of de union.” “— — your union!” replied one of the two workingmen who had him by the shoulders. “Get out, you little — – – —,” and with that he was sent flying through the door. The remainder of the agitators did not need so much urging, and sneaked out as rapidly as they could travel. “Damn the union, Mr. Holbrook! Go ahead and talk business to us,” cried out one of the employes. Upon this invitation Mr. Holbrook proceeded, and submitted a statement of the affairs of the concern. It did not take him long to prove to them that it was impossible to keep

THE FACTORY GOING

and take orders for new work under the proposed eight-hour system and the uncertainty of their labor when they were under the control of such men as they had just [fired] out of the meeting. He then proposed to restore the old scale of wages, or, if they preferred, he would allow them an advance all around of 10 per cent, the men to continue to work ten hours a day, and the firm to have the right to employ its men without respect to the unions. He further promised them that when the business of the firm became more profitable,—and the prospects were that it would do so,—the men should share the profits by receiving still further increased pay. The proposition was then put to a vote, and it was accepted unanimously. The men were all at their benches yesterday morning, and work proceeded smoothly throughout the day. The relator of the events which transpired at the meeting said to a reporter for THE TIMES: “Well, we had the fever. I never saw the president of the union until he showed up at the meeting. That settled the union with me until it purges itself of that sort of trash. Everybody at the meeting which elected him president must have been either crazy or drunk. You can just say that we’re going to look after our own bread and butter after this.”

During the afternoon word passed among the furniture workers out on a strike that Mr. Holbrook, president of the Manufacturers’ association, had given in by conceding 10 per cent advance and eight hours’ work. The strikers felt very jubilant over it, while the rumor had the opposite effect upon the employers, and they kept Mr. Holbrook busy during the afternoon explaining that the men had merely

ACCEPTED A PROPOSITION

which his firm had made before the Manufacturers’ association had appointed its executive committee, and he had not violated the spirit or letter of the resolutions adopted by the association. He had granted neither 20 per cent advance nor conceded an eight-hour day, and as a member of the association he would resist all demands for the adoption of such a system. His assurance served to restore the backbone of the manufacturers.

The ninety men at work in the furniture establishment of E. E. Swiney, West Washington street, refused to go to work yesterday morning because their eight-hour demand was not complied with. Mr. Swiney said he was inclined to grant ten hours’ pay for nine hours’ work at last year’s rates, which would be equal to an increase of from 10 to 20 per cent all around, but would not bind himself to do so unless the Furniture Manufacturers’ association adopted similar terms. He will stand by the action of the association. This seems to be precisely the position of all the furniture manufacturers on the West side, and as no action will be taken by the association before Monday or Tuesday nothing definite can be settled between these establishments and the men before the middle of the week and perhaps not then.

About seventy men employed by Newman Brothers, furniture manufacturers, West Washington street, quit work or rather declined to go to work, yesterday morning. They entered the procession and spent the day at the Furniture-Workers’ union meeting in the eight-hour cause.

R. Rothschild’s Sons paid off their 275 strikers at 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Manager Kauffman then proposed to the men that the firm would concede an advance of 10 per cent in wages for ten hours’ work, and notified them that whether or not the proposition was accepted the factory would start up on Monday morning, and if the men did not report for work they could consider themselves discharged, and the firm would proceed to

HIRE OTHER MEN

to take their benches, and would give the newly-hired men all necessary protection against interference. His proposition was refused by the men at the time. It will be the subject of consideration at a meeting of the men to be held at 10 o’clock this morning. It was said by several of the men last evening that they should favor an acceptance of the proposition, and it is almost certain that if the men are left to decide the matter without interference from the union in general they will go back to work. They admit that they are out on a strike to uphold the Cincinnati employes of the firm in their demands, and that their sympathy has already been sufficiently expressed. Besides the Chicago and Cincinnati factories, Messrs. Rothschild’s Sons have factories at St. Louis, Kansas City, and Denver. They have received dispatches announcing that their men, ninety at Kansas City, forty at St. Louis, and forty at Denver, were all out on a strike for ten hours’ pay for eight hours’ labor. The managers at the three factories were notified that the firm would make no concessions to the men, and to keep the factories closed till the troubles at Chicago and Cincinnati are settled. Mr. David Rothschild said yesterday that his firm intended to erect factories in Chicago during this year which would more than double its present capacity, the purchase of the necessary land for the site to be concluded during this week, but if the present unsettled condition of labor is to continue it will compel it to defer progress in the erection of the new factory until the labor troubles are settled. E Event77

The situation at the Brunswick-Balke-Collender billiard factory remained unchanged yesterday. Mr. Moses Bensinger, resident director, persists in declaring that he has made the last concession he will make to the striking employes, and that the factory will remain closed till the labor troubles can be settled in some manner not dependent upon a pledge of the Furniture-Workers’ unions. It had violated one pledge and he could not and would not give it an opportunity to violate another.

The Wadoe furniture factory, at No. 230 North Green street, let fifty men go, rather than accede to the short day and long pay demand.

The factory of Freece & [Hamline], corner of Homer and Seymour streets, is closed indefinitely on account of its fifty-five employes demanding eight hours with full pay.

Fifty men in the furniture factory of Albert Rauch went out in consequence of the refusal to grant them ten hours' pay for the short day's work.

LUMBER BUSINESS.

Representatives of the wholesale lumber yards, box factories, and planing-mills in the Twenty-second street district, to the number of twenty, met at Felix Lang’s office yesterday forenoon to talk over the situation and see what was best to be done. The following firms were represented: Maxwell Brothers, Union Planing company, Felix Lang, A. Bennett & Co., G. W. Hinckley & Co., T. Wilce & Co., D. M. Goodwillie, Garvey and Jackson, Johnson Brothers, S. A. Brown & Co., Hair and Ridgeway, J. E. Lobstein, Goss & Phillips, Pearson & Co., H. Paepke Lumber Co., S. K. Martin Lumber Co., O. D. Wetherell, Soper Lumber Co., Ware Brothers, C. Tegtmeyer & Sons.

The opinion was unanimous that the short-hour day was an impossibility. The work of the lumber-yards, planing-mills, and box factories was so interwoven that what affected one affected all. The box manufacturers had all made an agreement with their hands to continue work, at an increase of wages, but the strike of the planing mill men threw them all out. Then the teamsters and laborers of the wholesale lumber-yards kept the entire trade out of material. After considerable discussion it was voted to place the entire matter in the hands of a committee, which will [act] as an executive board, and settle upon what basis the firms in the association can start up again. The following persons will

CONSTITUTE THE BOARD:

T. Wilce, James Maxwell, B. M. Hair, and Felix Lang.

The settlement that Palmer & Fuller, sash, door, and blind manufacturers, had made with their seven hundred men, which was that they should try the eight-hour day with pay for the same time, came to an early death yesterday. The men caught the fever that had come upon so many thousands of their fellow-workmen, and early in the day sent word to Mr. Marsh, the active partner in the firm, that they had concluded to demand a wage increase of 20 per cent and eight hours’ work. The request was refused, and the men went out. Some of them allege that they do not earn more than 70 cents a day of ten hours, and that the increase demanded would not be much above starvation wages. Mr. Marsh was surprised at the sudden change of front shown by the men, but thought it due to outside influence. The factory will remain closed until some reasonable agreement is reached.

Hintze & Baker, E. L. Roberts, Goss & Phillips, and Gauger, Oliver & Co., sash, door, and blind manufacturers, have agreed to pay their men for nine hours with eight hours’ work. The firms employ about 500 men altogether. In regard to Goss & Phillips, it should be understood that they make a distinction between their factory hands and the planing-mill men. The latter are out on a strike and will not be conceded ten hours’ pay for

EIGHT HOURS’ WORK.

Archer avenue, Bridgeport, and the neighboring lumber yards were like an Indian village yesterday when all the braves had gone upon the warpath, leaving only the squaws and old men behind. A man was a rarity, all having gone to “procesh,” but women there were in plenty standing on the family doorsteps evidently discussing the situation. In the morning there was signs of serious trouble, but it was averted, for the present at least. In the lumber district there was the stillness of the grave. Not a man was at work, save here and there an engineer might have been seen oiling his engine or doing some odd “chore” about the yard. At many of the office doors the “boss” was standing smoking a pipe and calmly viewing the scene. An attempt was made during the morning to deliver some boxes but the teamsters were ordered back, and the attempt was a failure. Trouble is generally anticipated on Monday, when several boxmakers will attempt to start up the box department of their mills. Another likely source of trouble is that Johnson Brothers at the lumber dock expect a barge today loaded with lumber, to arrive from Saginaw. The barge is chartered for a return cargo of grain, and they say that she must be unloaded Monday at any cost. They have managed to scrape together a crew to unload her, but they will require protection. The one hundred men in the employ of Henry Peepcke, box manufacturer, foot of Sangamon street, did not resume work yesterday, but joined the striking throng at the request of the planing-mill hands, the box-nailers and sawyers being satisfied to continue work, but their friends the planers would not yield.

Fifty men employed in the sash, door, and blind establishment of Hult & Kiltz, foot of Sangamon street, twenty more working for Peterson & Krabon; furniture-makers, corner of Sangamon street and Austin avenue; twenty more employed in the marble works in the basement of the same building; sixty-five others working for D. M. Swiney, showcase factory, Canal street, quit work yesterday on

THE GENERAL STRIKE.

N. Neufeld, molding and frame factory, Peoria and Fulton streets, has fifty men, who may or may not strike to-morrow. They have made no demands as yet, but were discovered in caucus yesterday, and when asked what complaint they had to make said none, but thought they would have to ask for eight hours, as others were doing so. Neufeld thinks they may return to work on Monday, but is not sure.

The fifty men in the employ of N. B. Bassett & Co., North Clinton street, manufacturers of moldings, are on very good terms with their employers, and did not talk of striking. They went out, however, for the day, to celebrate the eight-hour movement with the crowd, and are expected to show up for work to-morrow morning.

The Richard Kelly Manufacturing company, on Twenty-third street, have shut down. Other firms in Archer avenue and the neighborhood, such as Turner & Co., and Stein, Hirsh & Co., say that they are all right, but there is reason to think that the men are holding on just to see what the others will do. In Stein, Hirsh & Co.’s thirty men in their stockyards department went out yesterday morning, but the men in their Archer avenue mills remained in. They say that they will not grant the eight-hour work day, and would rather shut down; in fact, it would be rather a relief to them to quit for all summer.

Kaeserberg & Rind conceded ten hours’ pay for eight hours’ labor yesterday, and their planing mill, at Sedgwick and Division streets, will start up to-morrow morning as usual.

Goodwillie’s box factory, on Ohio street, was the only one in the city in operation yesterday. They are to arbitrate the wage question at the end of the first four weeks in May.

Campton & Brother’s sash factory, at the corner of Ohio and Franklin streets, will start up to-morrow on the eight hours’ pay for eight hours’ labor system.

Herman Kirchoff, manufacturer of sash, doors, and blinds on Milwaukee avenue, near the city limits, has about eight men in his employ, who were out on a strike yesterday for a reduction of working hours and increase of pay. The men will go to work on Monday on the eight-hour plan.

W. J. Hill & Co., box manufacturers, concluded that they could not do business on the eight-hour plan with ten hours’ pay, and forty men are locked out.

The Hepp & Bristow Planing Mill company, at No. 75 West Chicago avenue, closed down on account of an eight-hour demand. Forty-two men are out of work.

Wolff Brothers & Nollan, sash, door, and blind manufacturers, No. 857 Clybourn avenue, declined to give ten hours’ pay for eight hours’ work, and fifty men are out of employment in consequence.

A reporter in conversation with a leading Knight of Labor, last evening, learned from him that the Powderly faction of the Knights were all in favor of discontinuing the strike and returning to work on the masters’ terms. They had resolved to abandon the demand for eight hours’ work for the present, as they saw that it was impracticable without a strike, and this was against the tenets of that section of the order. He said, however, that the strike had got quite beyond their control, especially in the lumber district, where the strikers were nearly all Bohemians and socialists. He and other had done all they could yesterday, but they were at a discount, as they could not talk Bohemian while the socialists could. The box-makers were going to make an attempt to return to work Monday, but he was afraid the attempt would prove a failure.

STOCK-YARDS.

A meeting of the packers was held yesterday afternoon at the Palmer house, at which were present representatives of nearly every packing-house at the stock-yards. When the meeting adjourned, about the only expression that could be gotten out of those present was the fact that they had passed a resolution to not divulge anything that occurred. Last night, Mr. Michael Cudahy, of Armour & Co.’s. was discovered promenading on Wasbash avenue with his brother. When asked as to the result of the meeting, Mr. Cudahy replied that he was enjoined to secrecy and could not talk. He would not even state what packing-houses were represented. After repeated inquiries, Mr. Cudahy said: “You can say this: That after the meeting the foreman of our house was notified to not blow his whistle Monday morning until 8 o’clock, and that is all I can say to you.” It was also learned from another source that other representatives of packing-houses had given similar instructions, and that it was expected there would not be a man out of place to-morrow morning.

Everything was running along in the usual grooves around the packing-houses yesterday. The expected outbreak of the masses did not occur. One noticeable difference was that the whistle for work at the Chicago Packing and Provision company's establishment blew at [8] o'clock instead of 7 o'clock as heretofore. This is the only house where a reduction in hours has been made. Unlike the other [houses, this]

[house, it is claimed], does not run through the [summer], and though it adopted the principle, setting the precedent, who will be benefited by it in the final run is unknown. Early yesterday a small strike occurred in the tin department at Armours. The boys employed there have been receiving $6 a week and yesterday requested $1.[9]5 a day. Sixteen boys were employed and fifteen went out. The strikers could not induce the remaining one boy to go with them and they attempted to whip him. He whipped four, when he was rescued. The tinners are out yet. G. F. Swift & Co. have fifty carpenters in their employ. Yesterday twenty-three of them told Supt. Foster that they wanted ten hours’ pay for eight hours’ work. The request was refused and the twenty-three men went out. Twenty Bohemian laborers for Swift & Co. left without making any demand, and it is possible that they only took a holiday. Twenty-five laborers, grain-handlers, in the Wabash yards at Forty-seventh street and Stewart avenue, who have been receiving 15 cents an hour for ten hours work, yesterday struck for 25 cents an hour an hour and eight hours’ work. They were employed by W. J. Bradley, who was unable to concede to the demands, and the men went out.

Trouble has also appeared at the Rock Island car-shops. Over a thousand men employed in the various departments at the shops have circulated petitions in which they ask that the unskilled laborers be granted 20 per cent increase in wages and the skilled men, mechanics, be increased 15 per cent. The men work nine hours and announce themselves satisfied with that portion of the agreement. A committee of two has been appointed from each department to present the petitions. It was the intention to present the petitions yesterday, but Master Mechanic Twombly being in Iowa it was decided not to do anything until he returned. He was expected last evening, but may not return until Monday. The petition will be presented to Mr. Twombly, and will then be sent to the officials of the road.

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HARRISONIA.

The mayor, upon being asked what he thought of the situation, said it was a question he could not discuss. “The strike,” he added, however, “is one of the largest ever seen in the city. The streets are filled with idle and excited people who are demanding a lessening of their of their hours of work. The majority of them are law-abiding citizens and know that Chicago's business prosperity means their prosperity. I hope, therefore, that there will be no trouble, but a great deal depends upon how the employers meet the men. I do not mean that they should accede to their demands, and will not discuss that question, but I mean that both sides should be calm and temperate if serious trouble is to be avoided. If they meet in this spirit, I believe that a few days will bring them to a mutual understanding. I have faith in the good sense of the people, and upon this I base the hope that there will be no difficulty.”

“Have you made any preparation to meet any difficulty that might [arise]?”

“If I had I would not tell what it was.”

“In the case of trouble, will the police protect the people’s property?”

“Property of all kinds will be protected to the fullest extent. I am bound to do this, and will use the force to its utmost to restrain all illegal acts.”

“Have any instructions been given to the police?”

“It would be impossible to give instructions, for no one knows what will occur. The disposition so far has been toward quiet, and in the event of a change all I can say is that the police force will be ready at a few moments’ notice. They can be wired in any direction and massed to meet all emergencies. This is all I could have arranged for, and this is the everyday arrangement.”

“Then nothing extra has been done?”

“I am keeping cool, and orders have gone to the police for them to keep cool also. I don’t want to see any trouble, and hope I will not, but if it comes the people will find the police ready and determined to do their duty.”

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COAL COMFORT.

The great coal-mining corporations represented at Buffalo and Cleveland seem to be imbued with but one idea, and that an insane ambition to bully and swindle the lake carriers. Their attempt to enforce the gross ton imposition upon vessel-owners has met with opposition upon every hand. They have been the victims of the most scathing criticism at the hands of the newspapers all along the lakes, have been snubbed by owners and agents, and yet these people insist upon forcing carriers to transport coal on a basis which practically means that vessel-owners shall make them a present of the freight on 230 pounds to every ton of coal carried on the lakes. For pure, unadulterated cheek this presumption on the part of the coal men is simply astonishing, and, were it not a fact, would seem to be incredible. Not satisfied with their intimidation regarding the gross-ton scheme, the gentlemen have now gone into a venture which will be generally condemned by every vessel-owner on the lakes. Last spring, in drawing up their bills of lading, the coal-shippers inserted a clause doing away with all claims for demurrage. The trick was discovered and instantly repudiated by owners. While temporarily withdrawn, it now seems that the shippers have again sprung the questionable bill of lading and are insisting that its provisions shall be accepted. This action is on a par with the gross-ton buncombe, and will be similarly treated by owners. If the mining agents can successfully carry out both of their iniquities there is no good reason why they should not sooner or later actually take the vessel property and dictate rates as well as weights. THE TIMES mariner has gone into this matter deep enough to ascertain that the sentiments expressed in the above criticism are generally, if not universally, indorsed by owners, and the fact that up to Friday noon forty-six vessels, representing a capacity 50,000 tons, had left Buffalo light rather than accept the terms of the shippers is proof positive of the fact.

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BUILDING TRADES.

There were more contractors around the builders’ and traders’ exchange yesterday than usual, and they appeared to be the most indifferent set of men in the city. Many of them had expected every employe to quit yesterday, but they were disappointed. They reported that the mechanics were on hand promptly and went to work when 8 o’clock was announced, just as if they had always done so. It was with the laborers that trouble was expected, because they had demanded 22½ cents an hour, instead of 20 cents. But the laborers asked no questions, going to work in many instances without even a suggestion that an increase of pay had been demanded. The contractors had passed a resolution a few days ago refusing to grant the request of the laborers for an increase, and of this the laborers had due notice.

Some of the contractors, however, are inclined to think many of the laborers worked yesterday to complete the week, and when they receive their pay to-morrow will make a new break if they do not receive an advance for the time put in yesterday.

A number of the contractors who have shut down for the present stated yesterday that they would not attempt to resume work as long as there was so much excitement, as the men would spend more time discussing the labor question than they would in earning eight hours’ pay.

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HYDE PARK.

The village of Hyde Park comes well to the front with its number of strikers. The complete returns footed up last night tell that during the day about fourteen hundred workingmen left their shops and refused to work further under the present system. As far as known there was not a single case of violence or bloodshed and with the exception of two or three localities the men acted in a quiet and orderly manner. Through the intervention of good judgment on the part of both the company and the men, all chances for trouble have been averted at the immense rolling-mills of the North Chicago Rolling-Mill company. The 2,500 employes were busy at work yesterday, and, their matters having been settled, paid no attention to outside affairs. No trouble is anticipated at these mills. The 150 employes of the Chicago Forge and Bolt works are as yet undecided whether to make any demands. One of the foremen stated that should the men remain at work the establishment would continue in operation about one month longer, but should the employes make any demands the works would shut down and arrangements made to transfer the machinery to their Chicago plant. Thirty laborers in the employ of the Calumet and Chicago Canal and Dock company, earning $1.25 each per diem, marched to the company’s office in a body and demanded an increase of 25 cents a day and a reduction to eight hours. They were told to call and get their money Monday, and that the company had no further use for their services. Work has about suspended at the pipe-works of Fieldhouse, Dutcher & Belden. The force has been gradually decreased for some time, and work will be practically suspended until the outcome of the present labor crisis is announced. Charles E. Jockisch, proprietor of the South Chicago Planing Mill company, decided to at once adopt the eight-hour system, and notified his employes to that effect. Brand & Hummel, brewers, and John Hartmann and Adolph Ergang, extensive contractors, likewise notified all their employes that hereafter eight hours would constitute a day’s work.

The large number of dockmen and lumber-shovers along the Calumet river were on hand early in the morning with a demand for an advance of 25 cents per day with the hours reduced from ten to eight. A simple call at the various offices decided the men to take a vacation for an indefinite time. In some of the yards it is thought that a compromise will be effected the first of the week. The Calumet Iron and Steel company at Cummings, which has long labored under a heavy load, yesterday posted the following notice to all concerned on the gates of the mill-yard:

“These works, with the exception of the nail department, are closed until further notice.

SIDNEY McCLOUD, Superintendent.

Cummings, Ill., May 1, 1886

The trouble dates back from the first difficulty with the company's nailers, who were locked out nearly a year ago and who have since remained out. In the meantime the Knights of Labor, which included the nailers, have been active, and as a result it is stated that nine-tenths of the entire force of employes have become Knights. The recent negotiations between the committee of the Knights of Labor and the company resulted in yesterday's order as above. The committee, it is understood, did not touch either the eight-hour of the wage question, but asked that the nailers go back to their old positions, that the present heaters and rollers on the plate mill, with the exception of one man, be discharged, and that the old heaters and rollers be reinstated. This proposition the company declined to agree to, and accordingly closed the works. Probably two hundred men are thrown out of employment. Supt. McCloud is credited with saying that the closing down is in now way the result of the conference above mentioned. Some repairs, he stated, were necessary, and it had been decided to make them now. At Hegewisch, the location of the works of the United States Rolling Stock company, the strike spread broadcast and shortly after noon the entire works were deserted. Between 350 and 400 workingmen employed in the various departments declared for eight hours with ten hours’ pay. They were unaccommodated by the company, resulting in a general suspension of all classes of work. The men are in the majority residents of Hegewisch and created no disturbances while leaving the works. At Grand Crossing three establishments suspended operations. The foundry of Mason & Davis quit about noon. Sixty of their men demanded eight hours and ten hours’ pay and were refused. They left. The Williamson foundry-men to the number of sixty made the usual demands and were refused. Fifty cabinet-workers in Patzack & Co.’s establishment quit work, being refused ten hours’ pay for eight hours’ work. The wire-works’ men were undecided. Some of them went out and a number remained.

No decided outbreak occurred at Pullman yesterday, contrary to general expectations. The majority of the twenty-four hundred workingmen are clearly in sympathy with the eight-hour movement, but have not evidently laid definite plans for a successful issue of their proposed action. It is evident that they are divided among themselves and are unable to bring about an organized movement. The fourteen hundred Knights of Labor in Pullman will not make a stand as Knights of Labor, but nevertheless are in hearty sympathy with the various unions of which most of them are members. Friday the cabinet-makers notified their superintendent that they desired to take a holiday yesterday. Their wish was granted and yesterday they were all out. A number of them stated that they would not return to work Monday unless eight hours were granted and an increase in pay of 10 per cent. They claimed that they were then out on a strike. On the other hand, others said that simply a holiday was being enjoyed and that the other questions would be determined later on. At a mass meeting a resolution was passed declaring for eight hours and 10 per cent increase.

At the Pullman mass-meeting an attempt was made to induce the Knights of Labor as a body to sustain the demand for less hours and more pay. This they refused to accede to. The result of the whole matter will be that the men will probably return to work Monday, first having declared Saturday a holiday. If they receive in the meantime substantial backing from other departments, a general strike is probable.

At the Union foundry in North Pullman thirty-two house finishers quit work in a ludicrous way. Without having made any demands of the company, and without saying a word to anybody, when eight working hours had elapsed they quietly left their jobs and shops. In none of the previous conferences with the company had these men taken a part, and all were at a loss to explain their action of yesterday. It is expected they will return to work to-morrow. Matters are settled in the other departments. Ten hours will constitute a day’s work; the men will be paid semi-monthly, and all the differences will be submitted to a popular foreman for settlement.

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TWO PROCESSIONS

The great manufacturing district lying south of Van Buren street, on the West side, with the river and Robey street as the eastern and western boundaries, was still and noiseless as a tomb yesterday. The thousand factories that daily hummed with the work of a quarter of a million busy hands and the clatter and buzz of countless wheels that kept the machinery in motion were all deserted, dark, and quiet. The huge clouds of smoke from the tall stacks that dot the area like so many monuments to industry no longer hovered over the territory. All that heretofore had been the sign of life and labor was gone, giving one the impression of some dire calamity having visited it, paralyzing the energy of the workingman and driving him from his place in the great strife for existence. It was an enforced holiday, but nevertheless it gave a mournful appearance to a usually magnificent field of energetic toil. In all the district only one manufactory was running, that of the Wells French Bridge company, at Ashland and Blue Island avenues, and here only a small force was at work. Not a planing mill, box, or sash, door, and blind factory on Twenty-second street was in operation, and the only signs of life anywhere was around the open doors of the saloons, where the men gathered and talked over the outlook for the “bosses” to come to terms. The day began by the opening of a mass-meeting, under the auspices of the Lumbermen’s union, No. 1, at Centre avenue and Twenty-second street. Speeches were made in German, Bohemian, and Polish, and as the crowd grew it also increased in enthusiasm, so that at the conclusion of the harangues a procession was formed, and, with a band of music at the head and a man carrying a red flag, the throng of strikers moved up the street, yelling and hooting as it passed the mills and lumber-yards. The procession moved on to Blue Island avenue and started toward McCormick’s reaper factory, the men being evidently under the impression that the works were in full blast and with the desire, if possible, to force the workmen to leave the factory. Finding that the Wells-French company was not closed, the crowd stopped to investigate. The gates were shut fast, and no one was allowed to enter the premises, but it was soon learned that over half the force of men employed there were out on strike, leaving only a few of the machine-hands in the shops. This seemed to satisfy the marchers, who had not yet reached that frame of mind where it became dangerous to oppose their requests, and the route was taken up again for the reaper factory. It was quiet and gloomy, the firm having wisely granted the twelve hundred employes a holiday to forestall any possibility of trouble. Turning back, the throng came to another outdoor meeting near Eighteenth street and Centre avenue, and a consolidation occurred that made the total strength of the demonstration at least eight thousand men. No violence occurred at any time, due doubtless to the sobriety of the crowd, and this was again due to the fact that very few of them were paid off by the firms in the district. The men were told to come around on Monday and get their money, a most fortunate circumstance, which in itself is sure to be the means of preventing rioting and perhaps worse during to-day and Monday forenoon. Toward noon the crowd dispersed, and for the rest of the day there was absolutely nothing of interest in the territory.

About twelve hundred furniture-workers paraded through the streets on the North side yesterday forenoon and came over the State street bridge to the Wabash avenue office of Meyers, Sons & Co. and serenaded the firm for conceding the eight-hour day and ten hours’ pay. The procession was noticeable for the absence of the red flag of the socialists, which the paraders were accustomed to march under. There were three brass bands. The men decorated their hats and clothes with shavings, and together with their banners and flags presented a very fantastic appearance. Among the legends upon the banners were the following: “We are the Strikers of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company.” Upon the reverse side of this same banner was: “We Demand for Our Brothers in Cincinnati What We Want.”

“Ten hours’ toil and work by the piece,

Be your own boss and pay as I please.

“CHARLES BRUSCHKE”

"R. Rothschilds & Sons’ Strikers," "Boycott Bruschke Furniture," "Hurrah for Zangerie Manufacturing Company! Ten Hours Pay for Eight Hours Work," "Hurrah for Theodore H. Kochs, Barbers’ Supplies," "No Scabs Wanted: Only Union Men Need Apply," etc. There were no disturbances along the line of march.

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STREET-CAR MEN.

The officials of the North Chicago City Railway company yesterday sent word to the committee of their employes appointed at a meeting held a week previous that they preferred that the men should join the benefit association proposed to be instituted by the company rather than to form a union or join the Knights of Labor. This communication was not favorably received by the employes, and at a meeting held at Brand’s new hall, on Clybourn avenue, last night, they formed the North Chicago City Railway Conductors’ and Drivers’ assembly of the Knight of Labor. The men are determined to place themselves in a position where they can make certain demands upon the company to regulate the hours of work and to prevent the discharge of old employes for cheaper substitutes. One of the principal grievances is that the company employs men to run “trip” cars and keep them on them for an indefinite time without allowing full pay. The men insist all employes should be allowed regular pay after being at work two weeks, and when one loses a car, that he shall not be compelled to commence again at the foot of the ladder and work his way up from $1.50 per day. Although the officers of the company deny that any employes have been discharged except for cause, the men stoutly insist that several of the older employes who were paid $2.25 per day have been discharged and their places filled with cheap men. None of the men could be found who were in favor of Mr. Yerkes’ scheme for a benevolent organization, as they wished to be in an independent position.

The employes at the shops of the West Division Railway company were working as usual. The company had been asked for eight hours, which it was willing to concede, but the question of wages was being considered, the solution of which will probably be an agreement to give them an advance on the old schedule of about 10 per cent over what they have been receiving per hour heretofore. The men employed laying tacks on West Eighteenth street quit work, as a matter of policy, when one of the red-flag processions was passing, but so far as the company could learn they were entirely satisfied with their hours and pay and will be at work again to-day. The men laying tacks on Division street worked through the day, and nothing was heard of any dissatisfaction among them.

The West Division Street Railway Employes’ association met last night evening at No. 54 West Lake street, but devoted the session to the payment of sick benefits and other routine business.

A committee of the trackmen in the employ of the South-side railway company waited upon Mr. C. B. Holmes, superintendent of the company, and asked for the adoption of the eight-hour system in their work. Mr. Holmes treated them very courteously and said that he would grant them their request beginning Monday. The committee, composed of Pat Frawley, John Demphy, and J. Mahoney, expressed their sincere thanks to Mr. Homes for the way he had received them, and said they would never forget him for it.

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THE BREWERS.

The Chicago and Milwaukee Brewers’ association met at the Metropolitan block, and were in session for six hours’ yesterday afternoon. A committee of six from the International Brewers’ and Maltsters’ union, No. 1, presented a circular stating the demands of the employes, which were in part accepted, and the following answer given to the committee, which will be presented to the union to-night:

We the brewers doing business in Cook county, submit to you, the committee representing the association of the employes of said breweries, the following propositions, and ask a favorable consideration of the same: We desire to call your attention to the fact that the wages paid by our business are larger than are paid by any other industry in this country, even to expert labor. In view of this fact, and the other privileges of employes, had in the way of daily supplies, it seems to us that our generosity should be met with a liberal view by your committee.

The demands of the union and concessions made by the brewers were: Ten hours to make a working day and three hours for Sunday; the brewers ask four hours on Sunday.

The union asked for $60 a month for the wash-house and cellar men, and they were allowed $56; maltsters $60; and foreman $70 per month, the wages to be paid the 1st and 16th of the month. It was agreed that there should be but one apprentice to every twenty-eight malt hands. It was agreed that owners of breweries should not dictate boarding places for employes. One of the demands of the union was that every brewer and maltster should have free beer every day. It was agreed the men could obtain beer at 6 A. M., 11 A. M. 2 P. M., and 4 P. M., not to exceed three glasses at a time. It was agreed the watch should be held by a permanent watchman to have one day off each week, and that maltsters should have one day off each month. It was also agreed that brewers would employ only union men, and the employment and discharge of workermen should be done by owners or foreman, but under no circumstances would the recommendations of outsiders be considered or men be discharged because they were union men. The agreement was signed by Conad Seipp Brewing company, Bemis & McAvoy, Michael Braud, Peter Schoenhofen, Bartholomae & Leicht, K. G. Schmidt, Gottfried Brewing company, Keeley Brewing company, Fortune Brothers, Bartholomae & Roesing, West-Side Brewing company, Wacker & Birk, Ernst Brothers, M. Laebin, Cook & Stensen, F. J. Dewes, Bartholomae & Burgweger, Bavarian Brewing company, Kagebein & Falstaff, Coerper & Nocklin, Joseph Junk, and Brandt & Hummel.

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LABOR NOTES.

CLOAK-MAKERS.

The girls employed in the various cloakmaking establishments in this city have within the past three weeks formed a union for their protection in the matter of wages, and a general meeting of the union will be called some night this week for the purpose of protesting against the treatment they are receiving from some large manufacturers here, who are paying them hardly enough wages to clothe themselves. Four or five manufacturers are paying living wages, but the majority of them, the girls allege, have grown wealthy within the past four years by building up a big trade at the expense of the labor of the girls who make the cloaks. When the meeting is held it is said that the girls will insist upon an increase of from 40 to 65 per cent in wages on piece-work, and where they are paid by the week in such establishments an increase of not less than 20 per cent will be demanded.

TRUNK MANUFACTURERS.

The trunk manufacturers met yesterday, fifteen firms represented, and twenty binding themselves by telegrams to abide by the decision of the convention. The following officers were elected: John Cook, Cincinnati, president; P. C. Murphy, St. Louis, vice president; Emmet Streeter, Detroit, secretary; M. J. Peck, Oshkosh, treasurer. The association adopted the following resolution:

Resolved, That we look with favor upon any movement which will materially advance the interests of our employes, and offer our hearty co-operation and support to assist in attaining that end; we, however, look with distaste upon the present agitation, which has for its object the adoption of eight hours’ work to constitute a day’s labor in its relation to the trunk business, as its present relation to the business does not justify an increase in wages to our employes; and we are accordingly opposed to paying ten hours’ wages for eight hours’ work, and if the demand shall be made for the same we must and will close our factories.

The forms represented at the meeting yesterday are located at Buffalo, Toledo, Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Racine, and Oshkosh.

MILLERS.

The millers and laborers in Douglas & Stuart’s oat-meal mill and elevator at the corner of Sixteenth and Dearborn streets, paid Mr. George Stuart a surprise party visit early yesterday, with a demand for eight hours’ work with ten hours’ pay. There are forty men employed by the firm and no five of them are getting the same wages, so that it would be a very difficult problem for Mr. Stuart to solve immediately as to how he could equalize matters all around and grant the request. After thinking the matter over for a few minutes he told the men that they were a little bit “too previous,” and that for the present their request was out of the question; he would not grant it. However, he agreed to abide by the decision of the majority of the other employers in the same business as soon as an answer could be made collectively. The men took this answer and went to work again without much argument. In speaking of the situation, Mr. Stuart said: “The wages of our men range from $1.50 to $2.25 a day, and we can not afford to pay more, and will not. In so far as we are concerned, we will shut down before we will concede to any such demand, and I believe I am safe in saying that the other mill men will do the same, for none of us are making colossal fortunes at the present time.”

SALT-DOCKS.

It appears that the men working on the contract for building the new gas-works on what is known as the “salt-dock,” on Archer avenue, struck work on Friday for an advance of 25 cents. This was granted them and they resumed work, but yesterday they again struck, demanding ten hours’ pay, which would include the advance of the previous day, for eight hours’ work. This last demand being refused, they again struck. Right across the road the gas company have a force of men at work under their own control. These men were quite willing to go to work yesterday morning under the old ten-hour system, but the contractor’s strikers, who were considerably in the majority, went to them and told them to “git,” and out they went. At first a row was imminent, but cautious counsels prevailed. At the salt dock, besides the gas company’s ground, three old toothless men were shoveling salt, who informed the reporter that they were going to “strike in an hour.”

KIRK’S SOAP FACTORY.

Not because of any particular dissatisfaction among their workmen, but principally on account of the fact that the could not ship goods away from the city, the mammoth soap and perfumery factory of J. S. Kirk & Co. was closed yesterday for the time being, or until such times as the railways can receive and ship their consignments. The firm has never before seen fit to suspend business, even for a day, and would not do so at this time but for the reason already given. Their employes, which include nearly two hundred boys and girls, have no complaint to find as to their treatment by the firm, the only demand of any character thus far made being by the “kids,” who notified the firm yesterday morning that they wanted ten hours’ pay for eight hours’ work. A large crowd of the youngsters amused themselves playing ball in front of the factory while the firm were considering their ultimatum, but the army of girls went to work as usual. The firm concluded, in view of the fact that they could not fill orders, to shut down and allow their employes a holiday. The best of feeling prevailed, and no further trouble is looked for.

AMUSING THEMSELVES.

In the evening a ball was given at Cavalry hall, under the auspices of the Trades and Labor assembly. It had been advertised as an “eight-hour ball,” and the proceeds were to go to the relief of the southwestern strikers, but somehow the working people did not turn out or patronize it as liberally as had been expected. The “grand march” opened with just one hundred couple in line, and up to a late hour the accessions had been very few. To say that there were four hundred present at any time would probably be a liberal estimate of the attendance, and if the managers cleared expenses they may consider themselves fortunate. The assembly was respectable and well-behaved, the toilets plain and neat, and the entertainment was creditable throughout, and highly enjoyable as well, notwithstanding the limited attendance.

PRINTERS.

The job printers and publishers, while they do not care to give utterance to their idea on the demands set forth in the recent circular of the Typographical union, intimate that they will never accede to the demands, that the projectors of the demand were very foolish, and that they, the publishers, would rather shut up shop then comply with it. Mr. J. M. W. Jones has declared that his concern will shut up in short order before any further concessions will be made to the Typographical union.

SOME CONCESSIONS

Schreiber, Knack, and Sturm, the Poths Manufacturing company, R. & A. Hausske, the Zangerne Manufacturing company, Hermann Barth & Co., S. Jacobson, Northwestern Parlor Suit company, H. Z. Mallen & Co., A. Baerle & Co., Klewer Brothers, August Hausske, Khon & Kolberg, and Carter & Co., comprising the parlor frame manufacturers of the city, adopted the eight hour system yesterday, and will pay the old scale of wages—ten hours’ pay for 8 hours’ work.

ITEMS

The Association of Amalgamated Engineers held a meeting at No. 54 West Lake street last evening. Acting upon the advice of the general council of the organization at New York, it was decided to participate in the general movement for short hours, and to enforce the rule more for the purpose of being in harmony with other labor unions than for any benefit to be derived from it by the members of their trade, the majority of whom are paid by the hour.

The sixty-five men employed at the Garden City Fan company’s works, West Washington street, went out as usual from their work on Friday evening, taking yesterday as a holiday. They said nothing as to their intentions, but Mr. Green, the secretary, does not expect them to return to work on Monday morning. He was willing to grant them nine hours’ pay for eight hours’ work, but would not bind himself to do so unless some such compromise was generally adopted. The men appeared satisfied with this, but as it was a suggestion rather than an offer no decision was arrived at.

A meeting of the Chicago English-speaking bread-bakers’ trade union was held at No. 208 Blue Island avenue. The following officers were elected: Thomas Sinclair, president; Frank Laydon, vice president; James Wall, recording secretary; C. O’Donnell, financial secretary; James McGovern, treasurer. Out of 150 backers present 139 joined the union. A committee was appointed to wait upon the German bakers, stating that it would assist them all it could.

The Johnson Chair company, employing about two hundred men, declined to grant the request of their employes for eight hours’ work and nine hours’ pay, with a 10 percent increase on piecework, and the men went out on strike.

While about twenty men were working quietly at Tiedeman’s cornice factory, at the corner of Ontario and Franklin streets, yesterday morning, a gang of thirty strikers entered the place and drove them away from their benches and forced them to join the throngs in the streets.

At the Weber shoe factory yesterday, the eight-hour labor for eight-hours’ pay system was inaugurated. It is to last till May 15, when the Cobbler’s union will formulate demands which must be conceded or the employes will strike.

The wool merchants were waited upon by a committee from the Wool-Puller’s union yesterday, which made a demand for ten hour’s pay for eight hour’s labor. Mr. F. Ryan, at the North Branch and Division street, was the only employer who conceded the demand.

The various coal companies on Archer avenue and Halsted streets had all some difficulty with their teamsters, but the men have continued at work, under what arrangement, if any, could not be ascertained.

Fifty employers at C. A. Smith & Co.’s plane factory, on Indiana street, struck yesterday for ten hours’ pay for eight hours’ labor. The firm offered to concede eight hours’ pay for eight hours’ labor when forced to an immediate answer, but the offer was refused.

The employes of Schuttler and Hotz, wagon manufacturers, West Monroe street, went out yesterday with the crowd and left their work, but are expected to return on Monday and resume their duties on the old terms.