Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-13
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYED.
The Industrial Situation Generally Im.
provee-A Ntne-fiour Compromise I'm
Various Cities.

From the Philadelphia Record.
Aside from the southwestern railroad strike
the general industrial condition of the country
has materially improved during the week. The
number of persons on strike has been decreased
% per cent; higher wages have been conceded
In large number OF manufacturing establish
ments; more capacity Is at work. and manufac-
turers give more hopeful reports than last week
In Philadelphia but a small fraction OF its great
labor army is on strike. Advances have been
conceded by manufacturers especially I'm the
textile branches. They report fair influx of
spring orders. The machine shops are as ..
rule, making better time and are turning out .
larger volume of mechani, al products than for
over two years Tools, lathes, shaftings pull
legs, saws, builders hardware and small boiler.
aud engines are being turn d out TO nh urgent
orders Tor early delivery. The architects report
very little Interference with projected work.
Organized labor viii bring a strong influence
10 pear upon Congress 10 pass Senator Blair
bill 10 incorporate trades-uuions. The Fedora
ton of laeor Is taking the lead In this move
ment, and the National Association OF iron
workers, miners, cigarmakers, coopers and
other crafts have promised their support.
project Is on foot among the Knights OF
Labor OF Philadelphia to build one and posi-
bly, two halls Tor their own accommodation-
one IN kensington aud one near the center OF
the city. The scheme Will be worked up by its
enthusiastic advocates. Next week the worN
OF organization among the Knights begins.
Several hundred new assemblies are waiting for
the expiration of the Iorty days suspension.
Most trades throughout the country seem Ia
have compromised upon a niae-hour Instead al
an eight-hour day rom May 1; Last wednes-
day the building trades of BROOK lyn adopted
the nlne-hour basis. ldost of une trades I'm Chi
cago and 81. Louis have done the same.
The Cleveland bricklayers employed by the
Standard Oil company have advanced wages
from $50 To $500 per day, and have reduced
the hours of labor from ten To nine. There Will
oe no eHort IN Trenton 10 enforce the eight
hour rule, the times are not ripe for such 4.
movement there. In Cincinnati most of the
organizations have resolved 10 work only eight
hours, and the IabluplmltxprS nnian hal
meeting 10 further eight-hour agitation. The
building Trades Council of that city il boycott
ting prominent builders who refuse 10 employ
union men. The nine-hour system has been
largely adopted ia Boston, New York, Pniladel-
Pima, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Memphis and san
Francisco. In the latter cIty some trades have
been running GA the nine-hour rule for three
years.
There are 1s2 local unions i'm the Brother-
hood OF Carpenters, of which LIB are i'm the
south and composed OF coiorcd carpenters La
Canada the brotherhood has a strong mold.
Ine numDeroI unemployed in New York CITY
Is estimated at 10000, or less than one-half
the usual number Inc estimated number OF
Idle wageworkers ia the United states is
100000
Last Monday 5000 New York BARRIERS met
ana Resolved 10 strike against working loo
hours week for from - u Sl3. They want
the shops 10 close at . o'clock, excepting on
when 10 o'clock is fixed for closing
and on Sundays they Will work until = o'cIock
which means a reduction from loo 10 80 hours
per week. Last "Wednesday Ia. street railway
employees Association of New York persuaded
lheir employers, after "A three-and-a-nalI-h
TAX, into paying staLlemen Sl2.25 per week.
Even the grave-tiiggcrs OF New York and Brook
Ign have organized against graveyard wages
The hali-holday movement has taken deem
root Ia New York. The bluesJone dealers of
New York have asked their workmcn To not
work Tor those employers who refuse to joiu
their association, and have offered To pay their
expenses. n federation OF boOkkeepers aud
Office clerks In New York has already become "A
strong organization. Public meetings are held
every Week one Is 70 he held In Brooklyn Ola
Mednesday. The New York Central Labor
Mon, composed Of upward Of 100 branches
has been obliged TO make a new constitution
Tor Itself la order to transact the enormous
amount OF business which is being crowded in
upon it,