The Portland daily press., 1890-05-01
LABORS GREAT DAY HAS ARRIVED.
In Europe Troops Are Under Arms
In Readiness for Action.
In This Country There Promises To
Be No Call For Them.
Already Chicago Carpenters Have
Effected a Settlement.

New YORK. April 3O.-The Tribune today
says; 'For more than % years, working
men belonging to labor organizations in Eu
rope and America have looked forward hope
fully to the time when a-day of "a hours
would be divided into three periods of equal
length Of eight hours each, one for werk ,one
for rest and one for recreation. At the time
when agitation for work-day of eight hours
began, the idea was looked upon by the large
majority OF workmen as impracticable, and
those who advocated the scheme were
laughed at as ''cranks." As the wars passed,
some of the more progressive unions belong
ing to the American Federation of Labor
took up the fight for eight hours, and in
some few instances achieved their end, nota-
bly, the cigarmakers. Systematic agitation
on greater scale began when the American
Federation OF Labor. in its annual conven-
tion in 1887, held in st. Louis passed resolu-
tlons favoring the adoption of general
Work-day OF eight hours in this country, on
May l, 1890. 1t was at first intended that all
affiliated unions should simultaneously make
the demand for a. shorter work-day. but re-
Gently 1t was realized by Samuel G0mpers,
president, and L. z. Mcclure. of the execu.
tive council of the American Federation of
LABOR tnat any attempt to involve In gen
disastrous defeat, and so in the last annual
convention of the American Federation of
Labor, held in Boston last November, 1880
lutions were passed providing for the ap-
pointment OF what may be called 'forlorn
hope" consisting of few of the best organ
lZed and richest unions, to begin the battle.
The selection of the ''forlorn hope" was left
to the executive council of the American
Federation OF Labor and President Com
pers. 1t took several meetings of the execu-
VI fn 10 DO
as opinions differed. Mr.. Gompers was pro-
gressive. He advocated more comprehen-
slve action than the executive council be-
lteved the Boston convention had intended.
After several plans had been decided up
on and rejected, compromise was agreed
upon. The carpenters of Chicago were to
begin the fight (as they have done with much
rashness), and on the outcome of this strike
will depend the extent to which the move
ment for a workday of eight hours will
spread. II the carpenters of Chicago are
successful In their attempt. many unions in
this city and its vicinity will make similar
demands on their own responsibility, but in
connection with the champion unions of the
American Federation of Labor, the United
brotherhood OF Carpenters and Joiners and
the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and
Joiners. which have been selected to begin
the crusade here under the auspices of the
American Federation Of Labor. General
strikes will occur when the fight begins in
ILLS City, iOE IHo OuLSlQo' unions Will be
called upon to support the demands of the
carpenters.
"This substantially is the programme for.
mulated by the American Federation of La
Dor, but like all prearranged public demon
Strati0ns the programme of the leaders is
more than likely to be deserted and chaos
and violence might follow. Not only
In America, but also in 'ciy-
ilized" Europe, May 1 has been made
q general holiday by organized labor, and
the action in Germany of large employers
threatening to discharge those men who are
forced to stop work at the command of their
unions will precipitate the crisis and instead /
of intimidating them will throw upon the
town thousands of angry, reckless unem-
pl0yed men. 1t is probably the first time in
the history of the world that holiday has
been at once made so ofar-reacning in so many
es Nav fst will be-.
inent as employers Of labor show that the
carpenters would willingly be granted IL the
men interested would make some slight con-
cession for the benefit received, as the de-
mand for shorter workday at the present
rate of pay is simply another form for an in
crease of wages.
Among the boss carpenters of this city
the large majority, expecting the change,
have figured on all contracts on basis of
eight hours and are prepared to go on with
work under the new arrangement If the
workmen in turn will accept an increase Of
wages to 40 cents an hour and will be paid
by the hour instead Of by the day."