The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-03
The Eight-Hour Movement at Chicago.

CHICAGO, May 1.-The Times, tomorrow, sum-
marizing the labor situation in Chicago, will say
that the events of to-day added from six to eight
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 81, 900 men who. two days ago, were earning
wages and adding TO the wealth of the commu-
nifty, are now unemployed, and the probability
is that in about 10 per cent of the cases this
dition will last for year or more. The most
notable strike was with the railroads, all of the
twenty-five in Chicago being affected,
with the lone ns,o exception sa. of II. BALI
however, simply a social freak. and will
probably be included in the general roundup by
tomorrow. So far only the freight handlers
have gone out, but this means over 5000 men,
with 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 that
Chicago has neither Mayor nor Illinois a Gov
ernor who can handle. 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, and
this is really the graveSt side of the situation,
for stoppage of railroad business means a
paralysis OF every other trade The lumber
manufacturers made notable movement in
placing their affairs in the hands of executive
committee with full power to act thus initiating
the furniture manufacturers, and prac-
tically forming union of employers
to fight a union Of employees. The box
makers did practically the same thing
and the iron manufacturers, while having no as
ISOLATION, are practically united. so that these
three large interests present a united front to
the demands of their men. The packers have
conceded in part what was asked of them, and as
their employees are not anxious to strike there
Is little probability of trouble in the stock
yards district. AS for the other industries af-
fected 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 re-
fused and the prospect for a speedy settlement
of the trouble and revival of business is by no
means hattering.
The proprietors of all the packing houses
and kindred establishments held a secret
meeting this afternoon, when, after sew
eral hours session, they separated, their faces
presenting anything but happy appearance.
Each participant kept away from reporters, res
oiutely asserting he would not be interviewed.
1t was known that the subject Of discussion at
the meeting was the question as to
what action should be taken in regard to
the eight hour movement. Conflicting reports
of the result were in circulation and up to late
hour no authoritative information had been OBJ
tanned. The general impression, however, was
that the packers had been unable to agree upon
concerted plan to resist the demands of their
employees, and that upon Monday morning the
eight-hour day would be conceded, but, if posi-
Bile, to be accompanied by corresponding re-
duction in wages.
l. is currently reported tonight that the Wa
bash officials. and also those of the Fort Wayne
road, had decided to keep their freight Offices
open and continue business at any hazard The
Wabash, it was stated, had already secured the
swearing in of numerous deputies.
The Box manufacturers Association. the mem
bers of which employ several thousand men.
held meeting with closed doors tonight and
remained In session until nearly midnight Pro
prietors of planning mills throughout the city had
been invited TO attend but only limited mum.
Der put in an appearance. and they, as rule,
left early No formal action was taken beyond
the adoption Of a resolution that the members OF
the Box manufacturers Association keep their
factories closed for the present until further ac-
ton of the association.