The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-27

that time these men were to go out on an eight.
hour strike. but they were not to get past the
Offices of the firms before they were to be ordered
back at the rate of nine hours pay for eight
hours work. 1t was supposed that the other
houses wonld follow the precedent thus set
The men were ordered back upon two orders
one to the pork stckers, providing for ten hours
work. and the other for the beef butchers for
eight hours work. 1t appears that Armour's
beef men misunderstood the order. and went
back at the ten hour system. The firms of
Swift and Morris conld not compete with Arm
our under the circumstances, and notified their
men that they would have to return to the ten
hour day. too The local cattle butchers as
sembly decided that it would not be policy to
strike, and appointed committee to secure the
best terms possible. This they did in having
wages raised from $24 to $27 a week for the
butchers, other wages being increased in proper
ton.
Mr. Butler. who in the meantime had become
convinced that he was fighting losing fight po-
litically disagreed with the cattle butchers. The
committee OF five appointed by Mr.. Barry was
overthrown, and committee of twentv-three, of
which Mr.. Butler was made chairman, was in
stituted. This was illegal, according to the con-
stitution OF the Knights of Labor because it
disregarded the order of the general executive
board. II was plainly Mr. Buffers intention to
have another strike. After Swifts men had rat
fled the agreement two drunken Bohemians ear
ried the discomfort into the houses of the firm.
Some of the dissatisfied men at once laid down
their tools, rush made 10 other houses,
but the men of Armour and Fowler remained
firm
The following day was election day. and every
body who was on strike voted for M j. Butler.
The latter called out Armour's men on the
Thursday succeeding the election. Master Work
man Gaunt objected, but he told by K. j.
Condor that the order had been sent with the
Michigan agitator's sanction. When Mr. Butler
was asked. the following morning, why he had
issued the order. he appeared amazed. and said
the executive board of the cattle butchers was
responsible. Investigation proved that Buffers
name was attached to the order: "Per W. c.
Marshall secretary of District 81"
It is too well known how quickly the strike
became general. how Mr. Barry appeared for the
second time. and how he began to equivocate
again when it was attempted to settle the re-
element soon saw that the order to go out
illegal. but Mr.. Buffers followers did not stop
Master Workman Gaunt E. B. Harper, and
Thomas Dolan were expelled from the order
Harper. it was claimed, betrayed the Fowler
Kent scheme to Armour. while it is known that
the packers association had some one in the COM
mittee Of twentytnree managing the strike. W.
G. Marshall on the other hand. was in reality
the faverite of Kent holding a responsible posi-
ton in the Chicago Packing and Provision Com
pany. He has just now returned to his old posi-
ton.
While both Barry and Butler juggling
with the men, A. A. Carlton the special messen-
ger of Mr.. Powderly. came, and he reported
promptly to his chief what he found. Then
came Powderlvs order of Nov. 10, which was
suppressed for four days because it was dis
agreeable to Barry.