Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-06-27
HISTORY OF THE STRIKE.
The Cause and Incidents of Fifteen
Weeks.

SAN FRANC SEQ, June 26th.-The fifteenth
week of the molders' strike will close to NOR
row, and the first fatality which has marked
this long period OF inactivity and expectation
among both of the parties to the conflict is re-
corded to-day.
1t was on the Sd of March that the molders
were ordered out of the shops by the unanimous
consent of their branch of the International
Union.
The reason given by the molders for their &C.
ton was an allesed reduction of wages which
they claimed was contemplated by the Found
er's Association.
The molders in twelve of the largest foundries
in the city, to the number of l45 quit work and
let the shops
grievances. in which they stated thatthe cause
of the strike was not on account of any contem-
plated reduction of wages but that the mold
ers had heretofore dictated to them as to the
manner and methods of running their foun-
dries, and that they had come to the conclu-
sion to resist.
They claimed that the molders had dictated
the wages that should be paid, had named the
number of apprentices that should be en-
ployed, had limited the amount of work that
each man should perform during each day, and
made other assertions for the purpose of gain
ing public sympathy for their side against the
molders, who were equally active in denying
every assertion which the founders had made
against them.
A good deal of recrimination resulted from
the striking movement, which was kept up for
some time.
The expectation of the molders that the foun-
drymen would eventually yield to their de-
mandS was somewhat shaken by the advent of
the first shipment of non-union molders from
the East, who had been forwarded on the order
of the Founders Association from Philadelphia.
This action of the founders caused intense ex-
element and their arrival in the city was at
tended with dramatic incidents
The utmost secrecy had been maintained by
the agents OF the fcundries who had the trains
conveying the new men in charge and it was
not until its arrival at Los Angeles that the
striking molders of this city were quite certain
| OF their whereabouts.
The train was a special, and came from Los
| Angeles in very fast time.
On its arrival at the Oakland mole it was met
| by large delegation of the strikers, who did
| succeed IN persuading one half of the new men
| to desert.
Those who were molders were returned to
| their Eastern homes, while those who were not
were disposed of in other ways.
Il During the entire period of the strike, and up
| to this time, the striking molders had main
\ tanned siege of the ioundries by surrounding
/ them with union pickets and thus every action
OF their late employers was quickly reported at
4 the union headquarters
4 This situation of affairs was the occasion OF
\ great evaporation for both sides.
\ There was however, no outrage committed,
4 and the strikers seemed to be fulfilling their
| promise to conduct their movement in a peace
| full and manly manner.
1 The practice of bringing more Eastern mold
| ers was continued by the founders
\ Some of the new arrivals we've persuaded to
desert by the strikers, but large proportion OF
these Eastern men remained loyal to the shops.
II was not until quite eight weeks of the strike
had passed by that active host lit eS between
| the sympathiZers OF the strikers and the new
men actually began.
| The striking moders persisted in denying any
completely with the outrages, though the men
who were attacked claimed that their wounds
were inflicted by men who were strikers.
This tste of affairs continued until the
founders about three weeks ago made an appli-
cation to Chief of Police Crowley for permits
sion for the men in the, shops to bear weapons
of defense.
This application was granted, and since then
all of the non-union molders have been armed.
The effect of this important measure has been
to stop attacks on the men at work almost alto
gether, and for the past two weeks only one
man has complained of having been beaten up
| to the tragedy to-day.
There has been efforts made by the strikers
and others tn compromise or accommodate the
1 differences between the parties, and a week
l ago Friday the Founders Association received
l a communication from the molders inviting q
l conference.
The proposition was declined.
The incidents attending the strike since then
are too well known to require repetition.
The founders declare that they cannot yield
\ and the strikers say that they will not.
The strike has become celebrated from the
| stubboruness with which it has been conducted
| by both sides, and now from the tragedy which
| has to-day occurred.