The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-04
DEMANDS OF THE LABORERS.
The Strikes for Fewer Hours by Indian
apolis WOrkingmen Yesterday.
Several Employers Grant Demands for the
Eight-Heur Day, with Corresponding
Reduction in Pay-Local Labor Notes.

The striking employees of the Central Chair
Company held meeting in Workingmen's Hall
yesterday afternoon, at o'clock, and after some
discussion decided to go to work this morning at
the old wages On the resolution to go to work
several did not VOTE and the result was there
were 10 yeas against 10 nays. One of the men
stated that the proprietors had said they would
grant the proposed reduction in hours soon as
they could afford to do so, and would at once in
crease the wages Of some of those who were paid
the least 'It is not strong company" said one
of the workmen. land we don't want the rival
factories to force it out of the field. guess they
are doing the best for as that they can"
About four hundred of the employees of the
Woodburn-Sarven wheel works held meetings
yesterday, at Workingmen's Hall, to discuss the
question of going back to work at the old rates.
No definite action was taken, and another con-
ference, to finally determine what they will do
will be held to-day. Some of the workmen
stated, yesterday that if the company did not
grant the demands not fifteen men would 60 to
work on Wednesday. Objection is made to
letting work to sub-contractors. These contract
ors. it Is said make in some cases $40 to $50 per
week. and this profit it is felt, should be saved
to the workmen by the firm employing them
directly 1t is claimed that the average wages
in the turning department are not above Sc per
week. and that some men worked during the
winter for SO week.
Fortyf employees of the Spiegel Thoms &
Co. furniture factory, including all the cabinet
makers, varnishers and six machine hands.
struck at o'clock yesterday afternoon. A. petit
ton was presented to the firm three weeks ago,
signed by nearly all the employees, asking for an
eight-hour day at eight hours pay. No answer
had been received from the propristors
Nd nn1 fhA hnld
another meeting and appointed committee
to ask whether the demand was to be granted.
Mr.. Spiegel answered. eve will run the factory
to suit ourselves" No satisfactory answer to
sixty employees at the factory on South East
street struck at A o'clock. No steps looking to
settlement of the differences had been made last
night
On Saturday night the seventy five employees
of the Cabinet makers Union, at Nos 446 to
$50 East Market street, made demand for an
eight-hour day at proportionate reduction in
pay. The firm at once agreed to the reduction,
and the new arrangement went into effect yes
terday. The men quitting work at o'clock
gave rise to rumor that there had been a
strike.
An important labor meeting held Saturday
afternoon has so far escaped the attention Of
the public. At that time the bootblacks of the
city to the number of fifty or sixty assembled
in a basement room on East Market street, near
the postofice. for the purpose of organization.
The colored hootblacks being in the majority,
they put one of their number In the chair and
proceeded to express their views. 1t was
agreed that 'shine" was worth 10 cents
of any mans money and that measures should
Oe taken to establish that rate. The meeting
decided that rates should be put up first, in the
neighborhood of the postoffice, Illinois street
and at the Union Depot Ii was not proposed
to boycott ''scabs" who might seek to work for
less In those localities, but to make the neigh
borhood so torrid for such that they would of
their own accord seek other places Another
meeting will be held Saturday afternoon at half
past o'clock. At that time a union will proba-
ably be formed.
About twenty-five bench men at the Capital
City planing-m have struck for ten hours pay
for eight hours work The men striking are
now making So 25 and S.. so day. The employ
ers offered to allow them to work as long as they
see fit, but at the same rate per hour they are
now receiving. The rest of the men employed
there are paid by the piece and have no griev
ance. A conference was held last evening, but
the demand was refused, and it is stated that if
they do not return to work this morning their
places are to be filled with other men, enough
applications having already been male to fill the
vacancies.
Last evening, at pay-time the employees of the
Beehive planning mill made demand for shorter
hours without corresponding reduction in
wages, but no answer has yet been given them
by the firm.
A rumor of a strike at the indianapolis cab
met works arose yesterday from the breaking of
the main belt, which runs all the machinery,
thus compelling idleness for a short time All
the employees there are paid by the piece, and
work as long as they choose, so that no trouble
is anticipated.
The street-car drivers wages were voluntarily
raised some time ago. and their hours reduced
to twelve They are now paid IA cents an hour,
and are not now required to put away their cars,
as before. Their only remaining grievance is
that if man is late. or is reported by spot
ter foI anything, fancied or real, he is dis
charged instantly, without even chance for
defense. The stablemen of the company work
twelve and one-half hours. for ST.. % day.
The striking employees at Krause's lounge fac
tory still refuse to go TO work unless their de-
mand for an eighthour day is granted Forty
Of the machine men at Hermans furniture fac
10 to Is per cent Mr. Herman, who lives in
New York, was notified of the demand by tele
graph He responded that he would make an
advance of 10 per cent in wages. The men had
not stopped work, and as the advance is salts
factory to them. they will not strike.
The journeyman stone-cutters intended ask
ing the contractors for eight hours work and
eight hours pay, but before the request was
made proposition from the employers was sub
mitted to them that they work nine hours day
they will do. They took yesterday a holiday,
on which to jollify over the advance. Their
wages heretofore have been 80 cents an hour.
All the stone-yards in the city are now under
union rules and good feeling prevails between
employers and employed.
Thomas Mcclellan, chairman of the Central
Labor Union committee on demonstrations and
public meetings. said Yesterday that no parade
was intended yesterday, and that the statements
that there would be one were without authority
from the union. He said further that he thought
there would be serious trouble in this city, as
Indianapolis bosses are not SO dictatorial as
those in other cities.
The Indianapolis bolt works reduced the
hours Of their employees to eight per day yester
day. aud will pay what was formerly given for
nine hours
John G. Shoemaker, proprietor of the Sentinel.
requested the printers in his jobroom, yester-
day, not to work more than eight hours per day
and to accept a proportionate amount of pay.
The men objected to this, and walked out of the
establishment. Subsequently they returned to