The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-18
LABOR AND
Matters of Interest to Employers and
ployed-K. of l.. Notes.

I1atCerS Oh interest TO Employers anu En-
ployed-K. of l.. Notes.
Philadelphia Record.
Idle labor is being gradually absorbed in mills
and factories, and in some sections mining
operations are also increasing. Machinists are
finding more employment at higher pay, and
railroad shop labor is called for, particularly in
the West, to make repairs caused BY the wear
and tear of the winters work. In certain sec
tons of the West and Southwest hundreds of
mechanics have been idle for three months, but
are now finding employment
Generally speaking, there is an upward ten
dency in the wages of labor, and AN expanding
demand for services of all kinds. In the build
| ing trades there is every indication of great
activity. according to builders and architects.
The architects of this city are particularly busy
on estimates and preliminary drawings, and but
very few are prepared as yet to announce the
details of the work in hand. The builders are
confident of a heavier demand this year than
last, and the real estate operators speak very
hopefully of real estate operations. A great deal
of land has been purchased in the suburbs for
building and shop purposes.
All the great labor organizations are pushing
the work of agitation and organization with
more zeal than ever. There exists in the minds
of all the leaders an apprehension lest the rap
IDLY undressing membership cannot be perma-
nentiy held. The thousands and tens of thou
sands who are rushing into unions and assem-
blies are expecting almost magical results. Their
disappointment may lead to assertions, as the
history of organizations shows. But the work
must be done. The success attending the eff
forts of the executive committee OF the Knights
of Labor in settling serious labor complications
is likely 70 result In a greater demand for its
valuable services. The committees is composed
of conservative, broad minded men, who have a
clear comprehension of what justice demands on
both sides. Their impartial decisions demon
strate their ability, and remove the impression
from the minds of the employees of labor that
the Knights of Labor is simply q gigantic
machine of injustice.
The knights of GloversviIle, n. Y, have been
obliged to lease the largest hall in town. Clio
yersyille has eight assemblies, with four in the
adjoining town of Johnstown, and seed is
planted for twelve more. One assembly in
Schenectady, n. Y, has a membership of ] 400.
and another of 600. In Greencastle, Ind, labor
ers are rushing into the organization. In Knox
vile, Tenn, there is a very prosperous colored
assembly. The four organizations of that city
have fitted IN a large hall. Membership is in
creasing at the rate of 300 per month in Milwau-
kee. and by next May the membership will prob
ably reach 1000. Two assemblies have just
been started in London, Ont. There is a general
awakening throughout the Western States.
Springfield. o., has seven assemblies, and they
are agitating the question as to how better &C.
commcdations can be secured. In Boston
the knights have taken the town by
storm. Two assemblies of bakers were organ
lied last Sunday, and to-day the freight-handlers
will hold "A meeting in the New Era Hall. Meas
ukO0 az I'LL INV W an
of the members by lectures, pamphlets and bv
entertain ments of one kind or another. The
Richmond piasterers have organized into one
assembly, and the musicians are about to do
likewise; also, the leather workers. which will
include, curriers', saddle, harness and collar
makers aud shoenakers. Thirteen assemblies,
organized some ten or twelve years ago in
western Pennsylvania, have applied for char
ters. There are, perhaps, a thousand such as
SemblieS, and in the course of time the greater
D,1m her of them will be- rRylyed and rpOrpan-
ICED. The buffers Of Washington have formed
an assembly. but a question has been raised as
to their eligibility. The glass blowers of Balti-
moro are filing up the ranks of the order. The
| German Labor Union will join in a body. Sew
eral small cooperative stores are doing well
under the patronage Of the knights.
Several backwoods judges in Michigan have
been doing their best to convict Thomas B. Bar
| general executive board, but they could not find
a jury of their mind. The lumber knights
raised a large defense fund. The knights have
taken root In England. The assembly is No..
1904. and has a thousand members
Employers of labor, who have been coming in
contact with the more intelligent members of
the Knights of Labor, are less opposed to the
principles and practices of the order than be-
fore. The two thousand bricklayers of Chicago
have decided to work but eight hours per day
after May l. The Central Labor Union, of Buff
falo, has issued 20, 900 circulars advocating the
eight hour work-day. The journeyman bakers
of Baltimore are holding agitation meet
ings to accomplish the same results. Near
ly all the trades Of Hamilton, Ontario,
| and nearby towns are in q healthy condition,
particularly inside work. The Clerks Early
Closing Association, of Washington, has issued q
circular. asking the public to do their buying be-
| fore 6 P. NJ. The strikers at Richmond, Va,
| were ordered back to work by the local district
assembly, because they struck without consult
ing the proper authority. There is only one
non-union printing Office in that city, and it is
holding on by a thread.
The early closing movement is being worked
| up in several large cities East and West.
The Am~algamated Association of Iron and
| Steel-makers is in excellent condition, and has
only one little strike on hand.
An eight-hour association has been formed in
Chicago.
The Central Labor Union, Of New York, is
composed of 10l subordinate branches. The
printers of New York are discussing the question
of having o walking delegate They think that
the system will add q thousand men 10 their