The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-28
HOURS, WAGES AND STRIKES
Serious Effect of the Eight-HOur Agita-
ton ON Brick and Stone Interests.
Millions of Dollars Worth of New Buildings
Waiting Settlement of the Question
Latest About Strikes and Lock0uts
EIGHT HOURS A DAY.
Disastrous Effect of the Agitation ON Chiea-
COS Brick and Stone Interests.

Disastrous Effect of the Agitation ON Chica-
COS Brick and Stone Interests.
CHICAGO April 27.-The effect of the eight
hour movement upon the brick and stone crops,
it is said, will show itself more plainly than in
any other class of building material. Last year
the stone yards Of the city turned out building
stone of a value of more than S., 000 000 At
the same time the brick-yards in and around
Chicago manufactured nearly 100000 600 COM
mon bricks. The proposition for eight hours
work after May l has had a paralyzing effect
upon building interests, and as a consequence
the stone and brick interests have already re-
ceived a severe shock. A prominent brick man
ufacturer says if the system should be adopted
here and not outside. the Chicago yards would
be so affected that they would have to quit try
ing to make brick The proposition for eight
hours work would make at least Is
per cent. difference in the quantity Of
brick to be produced in and around
Chicago. Tie brick manufacturers had expected
a crop this year of 400, 900, 900, and with the
eight hours work the yards could not make more
than 300O0000O From the present building
outlook" said he, cit seems as if we would be at
loss to find place to put 300 900 bricks.
DulloluB has Stoppeu Inc tiSHb Hour DuSiHoSS
puts at least 81 on the cost of each thousand of
brick, and during the summer the price would
probably be $720a thousand. when it ought to
be but 1925. We do not know yet what our en-
ployes will do, and we doubt very much if they
know"
Another manufacturer says he has been credi-
bly, informed that the plans for buildings valued
at fully $4,000 COO are now lying in the pigeon
holes of the architects awaiting settlement of
this question A representative of the company
which controls the stone interests Of Chicago
and Joliet said the eight hour proposition pro-
duced feeling of uncertainty, which was hav-
ing its effect on building interests Those hav-
ing money to put into buildings would withhold
it for the present atleast. He added: ''Stone men
not doing one fourth the business they should
be doing at this time of the year and cannot tell
what the result will be the LIST of May. 1t will
depend somewhat upon the shape which the
eighthour proposition then assumes. If
the men demand ten hours pay for
eight hours work they will knock the building
business all to pieces. The stone used in Chi
cago last year was worth more than So 600, 000
If the present prospect prevails, the product of
the stoneyar will not exceed So, geo 900, which
means a loss of wages to the stone-cutters of at
least 50 13 per cent. in comparison with last
year and the season of 1884. The situation may
even become worse 1t may show a reduction
in building of half. and if it does the stone
yards and the stone-cutters will have to share
the reduction with the rest"