The Portland daily press., 1886-11-15
THE CHICAGO STRIKE.
Large Meeting of the Strikers Held
Yesterday.
The Men Vote to Obey PowderIy and
Return to Work.
Only One Slight Disturbance Report
ed to Have Occurred.

ChlCAGo, NOV. l4-ln decision OF the
strikers last night whether or not to return
70 work, led to serious complications today.
a special meeting of the Chicago Trades
Assembly had some time ago been called for
thls afternoon, the understanding being that
action would be taken in regard to boycott
tlng Armour. Powderly's order had led
many of the delegates TO believe this morn
ing that the object of the meeting had been
removed, but President Rowan had scarcely
raped the Assembly to order when George
Schllllng, a locally prominent Socialistic agi-
Iator, precipitated general discussion of
fowderly's order, the attitude of the strik-
erS, ana what action should be taken. 1t
was soon developed that there was very
strong opposition in the Assembly to obey
ing Powderly's order and strangely enough
the opposition all came from delegates who
are knights, while those who are Trade
Unl0nlsts almostunanim0usly favored obedi-
ence, many of them on the ground that dis
clpie ought to be maintained among the
hhnlgnts, and others on the ground that
Powderly's order was the only rational
tnlng ne could do in the premises.
Mr. Schilling introduced a resolution in
structing and empowering the executive
committee of trades assembly acting as a
Joint committee to hold themselves ready.
and whenever called on by the executive
committee of strikers 10 investigate the af-
lars at the, stock yards and act with the
strikers and assist them in any way possible.
ms resolution was understood to mean that
that the strikers would not obey Powderly's
order, and that the trades assembly would
ald and abet them in disobeying.
Richard Powers, ex-President of the sea-
mems union, vehemently declared the Pow
derly order arbitrary and dictatorial
The strikers on the ground he asserted were
IN the best position to decide as to the proper
course and they were in favor of continuing
the strike If any outside pressure was
brought to bear to enforce the order it would
result in schism in the Knights of Labor.
the destruction of that organization in this
part OF the country and the crippling of its
influence throughout the land.
IL was IN vain that the opponents of the
resolution pointed out that the disobedience
TO Powderly's order would be Just as destr1c-
tive to the Knights. Schilling and Powers
carried their point. The assembly imme-
dlately adjourned. The great strike was also
the chief topic of discussion in the Central
Labor Union. Resolutions were adopted
sending the strikers sympathy and the sub
stantlal support of the union.
L. Is. Barry, of the knights of Labor gen.
eral executive board, said today that he be-
lleyed the men would go to work tomorrow.
great hopes that the non-unionists would all
leave the packing houses in short time,
When all the striking knights could obtain
their old positions. This afternoon he saw
what assemblies he could, urging them to
comply with the order and return to work.
are known to have refused TO ratify Pow
derly's order. These two are under the lead
OF their Master Workman, George Schilling,
ana that known as the mixed assembly, the
Master Workman of which is VIM. Butler,
VINO ordered the strike. The packers and
their foreman met today at Armour's to pre-.
pare Tor return of the men tomorrow.
Shortly after the meeting a placard was
issued headed: General Order No. II, and
was was signed by Sheriff Hanchell., 1t stated
packing houses desiring work would report
at places designated the men of each
house being given separate location, where
the manager with the assistance of the fore
man would select from the line of the re-
turning strikers such men as desired to come
to work on that or any other day, giving to
each man pass with the name of the firm
stamped on it which will admit aim into
the militia picket lines. After having select
ed the men they desire, the managers will re-
quest the balance to return home and report
again at some place on any day that may be
named by the manager. After this had
been posted IN public places other manifes-
toes ON wrapping paper appeared, advising
the strikers to remain out The foreman Of
the houses made some of their selections
this afternoon and issued passes to choice
mechanics, those having families being most
favored.
There is general anticipation of great
deal OF trouble tomorrow and for several
weeks to come. About the only disorder
reported today was at Fourth and Loomis
streets. Nelson Morris, the packer, had
sent milk wagon from his establishment to
the depot to get some milk. A mob of
hOodlums surrounded it and cut loose the
horses, roughly handled the two men in the
wagon. overturned the conveyance and
turned the milk out into the gutter. Three
men were arrested for the offence.
AT mass meeting of the knights of Labor
assemblies, about 5000 voted tonight to obey
Mr.. Powderly and return to work tomorrow.
At first the vote was 1142 to 365 against
Powderly, while many refused to vote, but
the speeches of Barry and Carleton finally
brought out an unanimous vote in favor of
going back to work.