The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-15
THE CHICAGO STRIKE ENDED.
Two Assemblies Decline to Obey Mr..
Powderly's Order to Return to Work,
But the Bulk of the Men, After Listening to
the Persuasive Talk of Barry and Garlic
ton, Decide to obey His Instructions.

strikers last night whether or not to obey the
order to return to work, led to serious complica-
tions to-day. A special meeting of the Chicago
Trades Assembly had, some time ago, been
called for this afternoon, the understanding be-
ing that action would be taken in regard to boy
cotting Armour. Powderlys order had led
many of the delegates to believe, this morning,
that the object of the meeting had been re-
moved, but President Rowan had scarcely
raped the assembly to order when George
Schilling, locally prominent socialistic aeitat-
or precipitated a general discussion Of Powder
lys order, the attitude of the strikers, and
what action should be taken. 1t was soon
developed that there was a very strong
opposition in the assembly to obeying Powder
ly's order. and. strangely enough the opposition
all came from delegates who are Knights, while
those who are trades-unlonists almost unani-
mously favored obedience-mauy of them on the
ground that discipline ought to be maintained
among the Knights, and others the ground
that Powderly's order was the only rational thing
he could do in the promises.
Schilling introduced a resolution instructing
and empowering the executive committee of the
Trades Assembly, acting as joint committee,
to hold themselves in readiness and whenever
called on by the executive committee of the
strikers, to investigate affairs at the stockyards
and act with the strikers and assist them in any
way possible. This resolution was understood
to mean that the strikers would not obey the
Powderly order, and that the Trades Assembly
would aid and abet them in disobeying.
Richard Powers, ex president OF the Seamen's
Union, vehemently declared the Powderlv order
arbitrary and dictatorial. The strikers, the men
on the ground he asserted, were in the best po-
sition to decide on the proper course. and they
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 organ
ization in this part of the country, and the Grip
ping of it's influence throughout the land.
1t was in vain that the opponents of the resolu-
ton pointed out that diSobedience to Powderly's
order would be just as destructive to the
Knights Scnilling and Powers carried their
point. The assembly then Immediately ad
journed.
The great strike also the chief topic of
discussion in the Central Labor Union. Resolu-
tions were adopted rendering the strikers the
sympathy and substantial support of the union.
Following is the order to the stockyards strik-
ers which has. after being withheld several
days, been formally promulgated, to take effect
tomorrow: Z
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 10, 1886.
+. q. Barry Chicago:
In a circular letter issued on March 49, 1886.
stated the policy of the Knights OF Labor the
eight-hour question That circular read and ap-
proved by the general executive board before it went
In opposition to that circular the men at the
stockyards struck for eight hours. The Order of
the Knights of Labor was not brought into the
controversy, hence action necessary. During
the session of the General Assembly the at the
stockyar3s struck again. You were sep+ to try and
settle the matter but in case Of failure the order
not to be involved asked for assessments You
back at the old hours. They have in
notifying us again struck for eight hours. The board
instructs you and Carleton who will be with You to-
day to settle the strike by putting the men back at the
old hours until the Order of knights of Labo. takes
definite action the eghthour plan. If the men
fuse, take their charters We must have obedience
and discipline.
T. V. PowDERLY.
The sceRe in the meeting when the order was
read was in many respects an extraordinary one.
Mr. Barry had not finished the announcement
before the assemblage was in an uproar. Men
never go back; that they would starve before
they would surrender, and that they would have
eight hours or nothing After much heated talk,
the question of obeying not obeying was left
open by postponement until Monday.
At a late hour, Mr.. Barry, looking weary and
careworn, made the following statement to re-
porters: 1.-The hall was crowded to-night-flled
to OVERLOOKING My order to the men to return
to work at ten hours day. and Mr.. Powderly's
dispatch to me- were both read. They were
ceived with displeasure by the men. who mani
tested their displeasure in loud protests and q
general cry of mo ten hours we won't go
back, eight hours only we'll die
first IL was the most excited body | ever
saw. I and others counseled them to obey the
order and return to work. and noS to take acto
tonight, when they were excited. but to attend
the meeting of their assemblies tomorrow, and
then decide on the matter My judgment in or
dering the men back would have been otherwise
than that of Mr.. Powderly and the general exec
utive board and think if the other members of
the board had been here they would have thought
the same do not care To give ny reasons in
detail The Knights of Labor yor the eight
hour plan The view of the ge raj board was
that so many people worked from eleven to six
teen hours day, that they had better seek to
have the tenhour plan established first. The
packers refused to submit to arbitration, and
they made mistake at first The closing OF the
strike depends upon the men-whether they
obey OF not am in hopes that they will obey
the order after listening with cool heads to wise
counsel did not know that the dispatch which
came on Wednesday was authentic, and so wired
Mr.. Powderly on Thursday. He replied that it
was authentic on Friday afternoon. then saw
more of the packers, and finally took steps to
bring about the meeting of tonight for the pur
pose of reading the dispatch and issuing the
order for the resumption of work on Monday
morning sought to have none but union men
employed IN the packing houses, and to have the
imported men removed. / was given to under
stand that The packers would hold the non
unionists. This is not healthy atmosphere for
non -ur ioaists at present though. In my judg-
ment, the struggle on the part of the packers was
a poh,ical move to control the town election
next spring, and not question of eight or ten
hours I have received information from re-
liable sources to the effect that the showing of
the large labor vote at the last election caused
them to fear labor men might be elected to town
Offices. especially assessor town board and SUI
IL .llA-. - hn.. saiG