Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-04-17
FOR EIGHT HOURS.

FOR EIGHT HOURS.
Status Of tho Movement for Shortening
tho Working Day In Various Cities.
CHICAGO, April 10. - The Trades Assembly
has decided to have big labor domonstra-
ton the next Fourth of July In favor Of the
eighth-our day. The Central Labor
Union has entered into the plan and
q great demonstration is expected. 1t
Is to be forerunner of the general
e1ght-hour movement which the American
Federation OF Labor has decided to inaugu-
rate in May, 1890. An invitation has been
issued to all trades unions and mixed
labor organizations to take part in
the demonstration, and many have re-
turned a favorable reply. A lively
agitation is beginning for the purpose Of
arousing interest In this project not only in
the organizations but among unorganized
laboring men as we'll, and to induce them
to join the union of their respective trade.
The carpenters are particularly active, for
they expect to enforce the eight-hour day
generally this spring, having succeeded last
year only partially and lost considerable
ground during the winter. There is some
talk OF strike among them II they
can not get eight hours and thirty
five cents an hour. Whether the dem
onstration will be a success depends
largely on the building trades The Trades
Asse mbly represents an enrolled member
ship Of about $4,000, the Central Labor
Union about 5000 The knights OF Labor
have little over 1900 or 5000. A holiday
having been selected for the demonstra-
ton, it is probable that large part OF these
organizations will turn out and march.
THE NEW LAW IN INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, April 1O.-Indiana's
new Eight-Hour law will go into effect
when the Governor shall have issued his
proclamation declaring the acts OF the
recent Legislature in force, which will
be about the 1st Of June AL
though it applies to ell classes of
| laborers, except those engaged in agricult-
ural or domestic work, there has been no
movement inaugurated for the uniform en-
forcement of the law. and it is regarded as
doubtful if any thing of the kind will be
attempted, except, possibly, by the carpen-
| ters, who have resolved that all labor in
| their line must be limited to eight
| hours day, and it is only in Indianapolis
| that this movement has been started 1t
will effect no change, however, as eight
hours is now recognized by all builders and
contractors as days work, and wages are
paid on al eight-hour scale, SO that wher-
| ever men are employed more than eight
| hours extra compensation is allowed for
! overtime.
| 1t is the general belief of the most intel
| ligent working men that it will be better
for them to make an organized attempt to
enforce the law when it shall take effect,
but, as it affords them ample proCec-
ton, they can easily compel rtcog-
milton of their rights if they should be
disregared or encroached upon. They are
well fortified, for it is plainly stated that the
act applies to all persons, firms, corpora
| lions, companies or associations in the State,
and it is declared that violation or evasion
OF the law shall be deemed INSIDE
meanor, punishable by fine of
| $500 Persons or firms contracting with
| the State, if convicted of violating the act,
are not only subject to the fine but will be
required to forfeit their contracts The
| law permits overwork for extra compensa-
| ton, by agreement between employer and
employe. Knowing that they can GER
tainly recover pay for extra work, under
the law. mechanics think that they have
nothing to lose and possibly something to
gain by leaving it to employers to discover
what the law is The time for agitation is
passed.
Employers and contractors, however are
somewhat uneasy, and generally feel that
they are unfairly exposed to liability.
Many have already adopted scale of
wages by the hour instead of by the day,
and will have it distinctly un derstood that
their men are employed or that basis
THE STRUGGLE IN ST. LOUIS.
ST. LOUIS, April l0.-The first struggle in
the demand of the union labor OF the
United States for eight hours work
is now in progress in this city.
One week ago the carpenters of st.
Louis demanded eight hours work
and ten hours pay, and the demand was
| rejected by the builders. The men there
upon went on strike and are still out All
building operations are suspended, and the
indications are that unless a settlement be
reached next week the atfiliating unions,
such as box-makers, ioiners and bricklayers
will go out in body. Mr. Kliver, the vice
president of the Carpenters Union, says
There are 5000 men in the strike, and we
| want now what every union man will ask
for in June-eight hours work at fair wages
IT this demand be not acceded to the great
est strike of the century will take place in
June"
HOPES OF NEW YORK wORkMEN.
NEW YORK, April l0.-The leaders are
''agitating" the eight-hour question:, and
that seems to be about all there is in the
1uOFc1ucuO 50 4dI LII new 1OTk. Inc llDO1
leaders say there will be no strike for the
establishment of the eight-hour plan They
simply propose to rely on the justice Of
their cause.
NINE HOURS IN PHILADELPHIA
PHILADELPHIA, April 10-The eight-houl
agitation, which waxed hot in certain quar-.
tiers in this city a couple OF months ago,
has entirely subsidized, and the organiza-
tions OF journeymen in the several bui d.
ing trades have made an agreement with
master builders to work on nine-hour
basis for the year. The bricklayers took
the initiative in this movement, and the
stonemasons, stonecutters, tin-roofers,
carpenters and plasterers have all followed
suit
REPORTS FROM VARIOUS CITIES.
CLEVELAND, o., April 10.-Ten local labor
organizations are fully in accord with the
general movement for eight hours as !
days labor.
M1NNEAPo1Is Mimi, April 10.-The eight
hour agitation in Minnesota is growing. An
enthusiastic and largely attended meeting
OF the State Eight-Hour League was held
here Monday, at which resolution was
unanimously adopted pledging those pres
emit to use their influence toward the adop-
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