New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-05-12
The Extensive Strikes in Chicago.

CHICAGO, May 1. The events OF to-day,
which witnessed the inauguration OF the
eight-hour system. added from six to eight
thousand men to the idle army Of work
men which is now standing around the
streets and filling the saloons OF Chicago.
Thirty-fve thousand men who two days
ago were earning wages are now unemploy-
10 per cent OF the cases this condition will
last a year or more. The most
notable strike to-day was with the rail-
roads, all OF the twenty-five in Chicago
being affected, with the lone ex-
ception OF the Baltimore & Ohio. That
road however, will probably be included in
the general roundup. So far, only
the freight handlers have gone out,
but that means over 5000 men with o.
stoppage OF freight business until their
places can be supplied, and the added fact
that the attempt to supply them will prob
ably result in trouble. In addition to this,
the railroads are hampered by the fact that
the trouble may spread to other branches
OF their service, and this is really the
gravest side to the situation, for
stoppage OF railroad business
means a paralysis OF every other trade.
The lumber manufacturers made q notable
move in getting together and placing their
affairs in the hands OF an executive com
mittee with full power to act, thus initial
ing the furniture manufacturers, and prac
tically forming a union OF employers to
to fight a union ofemployes. The boxmak-
ers did practically the same thing, and the
iron manufacturers, while having no asso-
citation, are practically united. The pack
ers have conceded in part what was
asked OF them, and as their employees are
not any too anxious to strike, there is
little probability OF trouble in the stock
yards district. Almost all the other in
dustries affected are fighting the matter
out. for itself; and while in some in
stances the demand OF the men have been
yielded to, in the main they have been re-
fused, and the prospect for a speedy settle
ment OF the trouble and revival OF bust
ness ie by no means fattering Hundreds
OF factories were idle to-day, some shut
down an account OF strikes, others closed
for theGay to give their employees a holi-
day. The idea OF holding a great parade
under the auspices OF the trades and labor
assembly was abandoned.
The special committee of aumbermen oil
Chicago, to which was referred the demand
OF the men for eight hours work at ten
slours' pay, illave answered the strikers to
the following effect: The lumber trade al
Chicago cannot meet the meals wishes.
The volume has steadily decreased since
1881, and wages here and the general ex-
peflse OF handling aumber are much greater
than at competing markets.
AIS the weavers and others employed in
the si'k industry at Jersey City and yicini-
ty-2.5OO in number-struck for a decrease
OF hours and increaseof pay. Several es-
Establishments will remain closed indefinite
~.
The loss by the burning OF the Omaha,
paint shops at Hudson is $4,000, and A,
Mcdonald, faithful employ, is burned to
The demand for eight hours as a day 'swork
IN New York has been conceded by eight
varnlsll firms, the principal marble shops,
eight piano manufacturers, and ak except
six cabinet making shops.