The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1877-05-05
STRIKE AT BRAIDwooD.

BRAIDwooD, April 22, 1877.
70 the Editor of THE woEKNeMAS's ADVOCATE
Kindly permit us space in your esteem
ed journal to announce the existence of a
strike OF the ROrkmen at this place. We
have been idle, We might say since the
first Of the present month, against a pro
posed reduction Of 20 cents per ton during
the summer months, and 20 cents per ton
in the winter. Just now appear. 81. in
dicate protrscted struggle before set
tlement is reached. Our employers are
strong in wealth and influence, we are
strong only in our unity, and determine
ton to resist further exactions from our
already sent earnings, on only means
Of support for ourselves and families By
previous reductions since the panic came
upon us, and the less than half work the
consequences have entailed, We find onr-
selves now at the point % 1tarvation. Low
er wages means dependence on others for
part of our living, even when working all
the time We can be employed. This too,
III the face of rising market, in all the
staple articles Of living. At the prices Of
fered IL is impossible to earn q living and
pay our way honestly IS we 90. And
wages is not the only question at issue; We
are asked to enter into contract for twelve
monthf to work at the prices under the
code OF rules and regulations which is made
part ot the contract, We enclose, and hope
you will hnd room for them all in your
columns. they are a model set, and will
show your readers whether We are justified
IN our position IN refusing to subscribe to
the one or the other. We are sure il is
not necessary for us to say one word in our
own defence, when those conditions are
submitted. We have resolved. to take more
ductlon On our present prices, which are
80 cents ton for digging the coal, and 10
cents ton for brushing and keeping the
roading III repair; We have also resolved To
sign no such code of rules or contracts as
those proposed, but, instead make such
terms as are reasonable, aI,d agree to give
80 days notice TO our employers when a
change on our part Is desired, aha take 80
days notice under like circumstances from
them. This we think falr, have taken our
stand upon 1t, and ask the sympathy Of all
fair minded cItiz z-ns inside and outside our
ranks to help us carry it through.
On last Monday We should have received
our pay for the work done in the month Of
March. But the companies have refused
t. pay the money, Or shat grounds We do
not know, but infer II to be desire to ir-
rltate and punish us because they think
We have been bad boys III refusing to ac-
Z II ! j
be lad Of the chance 1t is our purpose
to sue, and hs We engaged attorneys tu pro
ceed at once. Our friends elsew here will
recognize the fact of ''the laws delays" in
all such cases, and know if the companies
50 desire can keep the cases IN court for
many months before proc, IS compelling
sLsa-a IL NY safsa La. sntssesd-- haa-arka--.
trary and unjust action OF the compahies
have placed us in ali ackward position, re-
during many families to the very verge of
starvation, as the store keepers have also
suspended their custom Of giving goods on
credit. These circumstances, COMPEL us
70 thus early solicit from all our fellow
tollers who may see this, and who may
have aught to give, to send us some pecun-
lary help. Any sum, however small will
be gladly and thankfully received by the
committee. Parties Who may have any
thing to send us will please address Chas.
Duncan, Secretary, Or Wm. Anderson,
Treasurer, when receipt for the amount
will be returned at once. From our friends
in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
and Iowa, and all other parts We will DO
glad to hear from them, with such assist
ance as they can afford. Our hight in
large measure is the fight Of all. If we
fail they cannot stand.
Hoping every district that is working
will see IN this light, and act ON it,
Respectfully yours,
FRANK LOFTY, Dbl.
DANIEL McLAUGHLIS,
CHAs. DUNCAN, Secretary,
WM. ANDERSON, Treasurer