The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-02
The First Of May Witnesses Great
Parades in This Country
and Europe.
Eight Hours for Days Work IL
the Battle Cry OF
Labor.
Helena Workmen on the SituatiOn-Cnan-
imous in Favor of Eight Hours and
Better Pay.

labor demonstrations of the century. Pre-
parations for the event have been going
forward for long time and when the day
arrived thousands upon thousands of labor
ing men in this country and Europe paraded
the streets. In England, Germany and
France every precaution was taken to pre-
vent riots, but there does not seem to have
been any desire on the part of the laborers
to commit unlawful acts. It was demon
stration in favor of shorter hours and bet.
ter wages, in this country at least, while in
Europe it was looked upon as revolutionary
and troops were placed in readiness to sup
press any overt acts.
In the United States the federation OF
trades is great power and they propose by
agitation and every honorable means to al
leviate the condition of the working
classes. The carpenters throughout the
east, backed by all the trade assem-
blies and the Knights of Labor. arc now on
a strike for eight hours as a days labor.
In Chicago and Boston the strike was sue
cessful, and in other cities strikes are to be
continually inaugurated until tho eight
hour system is inaugurated. The carpen
tiers are the pioneers in this matter and
they are to be followed by all other trades
men until eight hours is accepted through
out the country as a days labor.
Great interest is manifested in the labor
demonstration by the different labor organ
izations of this city. An effort was made
to organize a federation of labor in this
this city short time ago. but it was only
partially successful. An association of
seven different trades is necessary to per-
feet the organization, but only four have
signiied their intention of joining. 1t is
Thought however the matter will be moving
along ha1moniOusly in short time.
A reporter of the INDEPENDENT yesterday
called upon a number OF laboring men
and opinions in regard to the labor demon
STATIONS and strikes in the east. The first
man broached on the subject was Walter
w. Waters, harness maker. Mr.. Waters
stated that the strike among the laborers of
Chicago for eight hours was authorized by
the federation of trades. If they succeed,
others will follow. The harness makers
will probably be next to demand shorter
hours. With the improved machinery of
the present day one man can now do nearly
as much as eight men in former times If
there was no labor saving machinery, fifty
men would be required to do the work in
the harness shops in this city. Tho hours
must be shortened in order to give employ
ment to labor. With shorter hours more
men will have work, and there will be time
enough for all to educate themselves and
become more enlightened and be better e %ti
terment of their condition in every
way that the laborers demand this
concession. They wish to have a
little time for relaxation from continuous
toll: some leisure for enjoyment and study.
Being asked if this would not result in a
reduction of wages he said he thought not.
In the factories of the east employees only
get enough to live on, any way, and their
wages cannot be reduced below the living
point, and they are more apt to be raised
than lowered. BY means of convict labor
he finds that harness can be laid down here
from the east cheaper than he can make it,
without counting the cost of material. Yes,
the labor organizations are bound to sue
coed. They are in the majority and they
are learning how to use their power.
VIM. Lorey, painter, says there is to be-
general strike all over the country for
shorter hours and better wages. The car
penters are on n strike everywhere. They
want shorter hours, which means q chance
to educate themselves and time
for recreation: They are backed by
ana are bound to- succeed the sussos Is
being agitated all over the world. All
tradesmen in this state are deeply interest
ed in the matter, and the carpenters of this
city will hold an open meeting in the Grand
street church Friday evening next for the
purpose of taking definite action in the
matter of hours for work. 1t is right and
am heartily in favor of it.
Gus Weber, of the trades assembly. said
the agitation and strikes was for fewer
hours. He thought the strikes would sue
coed in some places. There was concert
ed movement among laboring men to OBJ
tain this point, and they seemed in a fair
way to get it, at least in the large cities.
NJ. y. Ripley, member of the Helena ty-
biographical union, thinks the agitation
will have beneficial result for working
men. Eight hours is long enough.
Joseph H. Boucher, inspector of sewers,
reiterates the above sentiments, as do all
workingmen who were approached upon
the subject. The carpenters are the most
interested at present, as they are to put the
crutial test upon the matter But they APP
pear determined to .oin their brethren of
the east in the eight hour movement.
Daniel Fraser. prominent member of the
X. of L.. is heartily in favor of the move
ment. The laboring men are i'll the ma.
jority and they are sure to win if they stick
together. Monopolies and capitalists will
not always be able to dictate terms to the
working men. The men are entitled &c
shorter hours.