The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-10
THE CHICAGO LOCKOUT.


For the present trouble at Chicago between
the pork packers and their employes-which
is more lockout than a strike-the former
are to blame. The autocratic and dictatorial
manner in which the conclusion arrived at by
the packers was made, announcing that the
ten-hour plan would be resumed on Monday,
men, for it does not appear that they were APP
pealed to at all in the matter, and no attempt
was made to see if they would not consent to
work ten hours until such time as the work
men in similar establishments in other cities
were allowed to work but eight instead of ten
hours 1t is possible and probable that the
pork packers of Chicago discovered that
they could not compete with those
Of Kansas City and other points
because of the fact that their men were
not putting in as many hours as those en-
ployed elsewhere. Whether this is or is not
true was not stated. The ultimatum was
sounded as the first intimation to these men
that they would be obliged to 60 back to the
old way or be compelled to quit work. No
man of spirit would consent to this without
resenting it in some manner and it is not to
be wondered at that they chose to quit work
rather than submit to such autocratic dicta-
ton. The time is not far distant when it will
have to be conceded that workingmen have
some rights that can not be despised; that
there is cooperation between employer and
employe that must be recognized. The well
fare of all classes of society demands that ar
bitration and cooperation in matters of mu-
tual interest shall take the place of strikes on
the part Of workingmen and lockouts on the
part of employers. The men now suddenly
and unexpectedly out Of employment in the
city Of Chicago, to the number Of thousands,
better to deal with them as such than to in
continently thrust them out without word
Of warning or consultation. 1t would have
been altogether better for the proprietors to
have treated their men to reason and argu-
inent and shown them the impossibility of
keeping up the business under the disadvant-
tage OF having their services but eight hours
day while the rivals Of these houses were in
the enjoyment OF labor for ten hours day
With this thing plainly set forth, it is not to
be thought that these men would have hastily
given up their employment as they have. 1t
was a shameless mistake, too, to or
der Immediately a force Of profess
sional police to the scene Of the
trouble, the certain effect of which must be to
further incite the already inhamed passions Of
the mistreated men. For the credit and good
fortune of the men now out of employment it
is to be hoped that wise counsels will prevail
and that there will be no serious breach Of the
peace, and that settlement may soon be
reached. This will be better for all concerned
than that there should be war between en-
ployer and employed. Both are before the bar of
public opinion, with the latter in this in
stance, enjoying the advantage of popular
| sympathy, as the case now stands. Arbitra-
ton would have saved all the trouble that
may result from this unfortunate and unwise
action On the part of the pork-packing men of
Chicago