The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-17
GAS-FlTTLRS' STRIKE.
The Bosses Refuse the Demand for Higher
Wages and the Men VIII Go Out To-Day.

Unless theirs is q back down on the part Of
the Gasftiers' Union, its members will 60 on a
strike this morning. The present pay runs
from 50. so to So per day of nire hours The de-
maud made Is for s3.50 PEI day of like number
OF hours all around, without regard to skill. The
decision OF the union men Saturday night TO go
out. it is said by them, was final, unless the
bosses accede to their demand. The latter also
held meeting the night Seventeen OF
them we're present and they unanimously agreed
that they would not grant the increase asked by
the workmen. They, too. say their action is
final, and il their men do leave them they will
look elsewhere for help. Their reason for
refusing the advance Is that they could not Go
IL without raising the price for work. and
that, furthermore. they have already con-
tracted for jobs upon the estimate of wages now
paid. IF we were compelled to raise wages to
what the journeymen ask, said John Krkhoff
last night I'VE would get nothing TO do. We
are piping the residences of this city at a re-
markedly low price, simply because we have it
to do In order TO keep the work. The natural
gas companies are anxious TO do the work them
selves, and would do IL TX there was anything in
IL for them. IL we should put ND the price OF
work, the gas companies would send East for
men, and take the jobs at igures lower than We
could and pay what the journeymen de-
mandingr Mr.. Kirkhoff also said that he was
paying some OF bis men IS high as So per day.
Not evan all bis union men were IN favor OF the
strike, and none OF his nonunion men, he
thought, would 60 out
A. II. Meal, another boss plumber. said IL
would be an outrage the citizens OF Indian
apolis 20 have wages advanced 10 $3.50 regard
less Of merit. the journeymen expect. He
believed the advance would only be q stepping
stone for another, and that ia the end s. woct<
be dem Anded. "Such raise. said he, would
prevent many from getting their houses pped,
aud thereby deprive them OF the benefits to be
derived from the introduction of natural gas.
Many Of the houses TO be pped Yet are those OF
mechanics clerks and laboiers, who have saved
their earnings and purchased homes, and it is
upon that class the burden Of high wages will
work hardship. There are many merchants
and others who have comfortable homes who
celve not more than one-hals a. much
Why did not these union men, who want 10 do
so much for the poor laborer make this de-
mand iii early SUMMER Then they work
ing for those that had money-to get piping
done early. Then was the time 10 s,rike the
capitalist But no; they prefer To strike the
poor. and give us as reason that the mouopo-
lies over in Pesnsylvania raised the price of
iron. believe a laborer is worthy his hire, and
that he should be well paid. or NJ least should
receive fair wages for the work done
There are about 100 OF the iourneymsn who
say they will 60 out. They will net 20 10 work
this morning, and will meet at 10 o'clock 10 look
over and discuss the situation. The bosses will
also have another meeting tonight