Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-05-01
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BY ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Strikes


CHICAGO, May 1.-The Times summarizing
the labor situation in Chicago says: "Twen.
ty. Eve thousand is fair estimate of the
number Of men who quit work yesterday
Friday, and walked out of the various
shops and factories in Chicago, because their
employers would not consent to an eight
hour working day, and the same wages
which have been paid when ten-hours were
the rule. How many will do the same
to-day Saturday, is problematical, but the
prospects for repetition of the perform
anccs Of to-day, are exceedingly brilliant
The trades most affected are the furniture
manufacturers, the lumber interests in all
their numerous rami6cations, and the iron
men. With the furniture people it was
practically general lockout all over the
city, and all the 7 500 men employed in the
various Chicago factories are to day idle,
and probably will continue so Tor some time
to come. The refusal of the manufacturers
to grant tie demands Of the men was the
result of meeting last week, when
manufacturers association was formed and
an executive committee was appointed to
take charge of the business Of the various
members. II was then decided if the men
demanded eight hours, on yesterday every
factory should shut down not to BIO reopen
ed until the committee should SO decide,
and upon terms that body should dictate to
the men. This agreement was carried out
to the letter, and to-day every furniture
factory in Chicago, including Brunswick &
Balke'5, and Rothschild Bros, where
strikes were already in progress is practi-
cally in the hands of the executive commit.
tea of the manufactures association, and
will not be reopened until it 50 decides. A
somewhat similar situation exists i'll the
lumber trade, including the planning mills
and the box-factories. No concerted action
was had among the employers until to-day,
but all except three refused the demands
Of the men, and in meeting afterwards de.
cided to stand by one another, ard not to
take their men back except at the bosses,
terms. The number of men in this trade
Oil. Of employment in consequence cannot
be approximated, but 5000 is a low figure.
With the iron people the idea of running S
hours could not be entertained for moment
b. the larger concerns with extensive plants,
aud in consequence who those were waited
on refused their mems demands, and Crane
Bros with their l 800 employees get the ex
ample of closing down, and with the excep.
ton Of the rolling mills where no demands
we're made and no trouble is anticipated, the
majority of the large iron works are to-day
closed"
MILWAUKEE, Wis, May AT meeting
lasting until early this morning, the 5000
employees Of the large Milwaukee Brew
cries decided to strike unless their wages
were advanced so per month. The COM
panies have already made large concessions
in the way of fewer hours and increased
pay, and have said they will not accept the
terms proposed, 50 q great strike seems in
evitable. About 500 coal beavers will quit
work this forenoon unless their employers
grant their request for increased pay, and
there is no Likelihood that the employers will.
The standard Of wages has been $l.50 per
day. The Transfers union will strike in
connection with the beavers as they have
asked for Is per cent. advance which will
not be granted.
ST. LOUIS, May 1.-The furniture manu-
lacturers of this city formed an association
last night and unanimously resolved to ope-
rate their factories on the eight hour per
day system after to-day, on basis of eight
hours wages. They also resolved that they
will tolerate no interference as TO whom
they shall employ or how their business
shall be managed. An executive commit
tee of seven was appointed, to which will be
submitted for settlement all differences
which may arise. In some cases of failure
to settle any serious trouble n general shut
down Of the factories may at any time be
ordered. The executive committee Of the
Knights of Labor reported at 4 late hour
last night that they had taken no action
that they wished to make public. The az
fairs OF the committee remain in statu quo.
MINIATURES, Wis, May lon Sunday
thsre will be huge demonstration of labor
organizations in sympathy with the eight
hour movement. II is not known how many
societies will participate, but it is expected
that fully 5000 men will be in line. The
police and militia have been ordered to re-
port, as an outbreak, it is feared, may be
melted by the socialstic element to partici
pate in the event. Workmen seem deter.
mined that the new eight hour system shall
be adopted.
CHICAGO, May Fully five hundred
striking railroad freight hands met at the
Harrison street yiaduct, near the West Side
union passenger depot, at eight o'clock this
morning. Speeches were made by two or
three leaders, in which they declared that
il was the duty of the freight handlers on