Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1886-05-08
MAY-DAY.
A Momentous Era in the s,ruegl.
OF Capital and Labor.
i.iFht Hours Pretty Generally Demanded
as the Daily Working Period, as shown
by Bradstrect's Figures.

NEW YORK, April 3O-An extended in
quiry by Bradstreet as to the details Of tba
agitation by labor unions generally to
Sccjre the adoption of the eight hour day
shows that the Unions have already gained
some ground, and that the members will
strike, II necessary, III large numbers to en-
force the desired rule. The figures furnished
are those reported by wire and mail, and
with few exceptions refer to Thursday of
TINS week, The 5000 anthracite miners in
Eastern Pennsylvania demand the eight
hour rule and threaten to strike They
would do so to-day were they sure of
the Luzerne and Lackawanna region
men, where the organization is not
as perfect as elsewhere Missionary
work is being done at the north to the end
that the demand may be enforced Asso-
ciated foundrymen aud metal workers i,
New York and vicinity to the number of
10000 promise trouble if nine hours il NOT
granted them as full DAYS work. AT
Baltimore, Milwaukee, Chicago and
Detroit there is promised very general
demand for the eight-hour day, and in the
event of its refusal strikes will follow. At
st, Louis, Louisville and Philadelphia con
cessions have been made by manu-
facturers, and in number Of in
stances compromises have been made
at nine hours daily at ten hours
wages, In most all dlrectionsit is reported
that many manufacturers will make
concessions if it comes to the question Of a
strike. There were on Thursday over 5000
men struck for eight hours per day, two
thirds of whom were at Chicago and Mil
waukee. There are records of the eight
hour day having been granted TO at least
5000 wOrkmen, two-thirds of the total be
ing at Chicago and one half of the remain
der at Louisville and Philadelphia. There
are also 5000 wolkmen at Chicago who
have asked for eight hours per day without,
as yet, threatening strike, 10000 at New
York City, and 10000 scattering Exclud-
ing the 6OO0 men now striking for eight
hours, there are reported to be 100000 men
exclusive OF many at Baltimore and Mil
waukee not enumerated who will prompt
ly strike if the request is not granted
This total includes thirty five thousand
anthracite miners, the twenty five thou
sand mentioned at Chicago and six thou
sand at New York, but does not cover the
twenty thousand metal workers in the
vicinity of New York, who demand nine
hours. Al least twelve thousand skilled
workmcn throughout the smaller industrial
centers in Pennsylvania have asked for
eight and will compromise on nine hours
per day. At many points the sub
ject has not become actively
prominent, notably Pittsburgh, where
so much of the work is piece work mot de-
pendent on hours Of lahor) and at Wheel
ing, w Va. In such lines at Pittsburgh as
the demand has been made there has been
a compromise on nine hours. There is ap-
parently very general demand for re-
duced hours of daily labor among trades
unions 1t is probable that the larger por-
tiOn of the employees demands will be set
tied by compromise or mutual concessions.
In others, to significant degree, the de
mand for eight hours with ten hours wages
will be pressed with strikes The nine-hour
compromises have generally been based on
ten hours wages, amounting to an advance
of 10 per cent, in pay. Active resistance is
promised by many manufacturers to pay
ing % per cent advanced wages or ten
hours pay for eight hours work In brief
Bradstreet's report 10000 men who will
strike, $1,000 for eight hours and 10000 for
nine hours; 5000 men now on strike for
eight hours, and that eight hours have been
granted to 5000 employees at various
points. There are, additionally, 5000 men
who have asked for the eight hour rule but
who have not stated that they will strike.
At leading centers alone 1t is probable that
over 225,oO0 Industrial. employees are ac-
lively interested in the movement,