The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-06-03
Because Of the Action Of
the Directors
In Refusing to Adopt the Min
inum Scale Proposed.
A Move Which Will Hurt the
Great Fair Considerably.
Tho Amalgamated Trades - other
Labor News.

CHrcAGo. June 1.-At a general meeting
of the five central labor bodies of the city
Yesterday organized labor took a radical
stand against any further move TO give
public assistance TO the worlds fair as
long as their demands Tor q minimum
rate are refused. Resolutions upon reso-
lutions were cast at the fair and the di-
rectors, and a committee was appointed
to continue the fight. The bodies repre-
sented at the meeting were: Trade and
labor assembly, Central labor union.
Central council knights Of labor, Building
Trades council and Carpenters council.
Legal opinions were read from Q. S. Dar-
row and Jesse Cox on the question as 10
whether the worlds fair directors had the
right 70 grant a minimum rate Of wages
Both these attorneys opinions were 70 the
effect that the directors had the right TO
grant the minimum rate that 10 did not
conflict with the bylaw. The inference
drawn by the labor people from these
opinions was that the directors knew
their rights all the time and merely gave
this excuse rs a subterfuge to escape from
the minimum rate.
The worlds fair Joint labor committee
submitted an exhaustive report covering
all its conferences with the worlds fair
directors. together with all documents
bearing on the case. 1t recited the action
cf the city council in its favor; the refusal
OF the builders and traders exchange TO
act in conjunction with it; and the re-
lection Of the minimum rate Of wages by
the directors.
The report further says that the ap-
| propriations under which the fair will be
held make 1t public, not private, bus
| mess enterprise.
That a oil lawful power, local. state national
| and international has been invoked in aid OF
the fair, our action in struggling for the recog-
milton OF union hours, wages and labor should
/ be equally extensive, ard the whole lawful
J force of union labor should be used Ia secur-
/ ing these demands; that reports of al confer
/ enoes BE- printed and sent TO all labor bodies in
the world; that committeeman from each
| trade represented in the bodies present be
! selected 10 begin the crusade for a minimum
/ rate of wages; that mass meeting be called
| soon 10 start the ball rolling; that legislative
action be invoked, and that as long as our
/ rights are not recognized by the directors we
cannot conscientiously aid the worlds fair.
This report was adopted with all its
recommendations. Resolutions were then
| adopted:
That as il has como 10 our knowledge
that a conspiracy has been formed be-
| tween the managers OF the worlds
| fair and the Chicago papers 20 prevent
public knowledge OF the discomfort among the
| working classes of this city caused by the
action of the managers of the fair that
notice of this conspiracy be sent 10 the prin-
! cpal papers OF New York, Boston and -.
| Louis and other great cities IN the United
/ States and Europe; that notices also be sent to
| oil labor organizations and that advertisements
| 10 this effect be inserted in such papers rs may
assert their independence and refuse 70 be
| party to this conspiracy; that we respectfully
| but firmly protest against any further increase
| in taxation for worlds far purposes or any
| thing connected therwith and that this resOlu-
| tion be properly presented 70 the city council.
We protest against any portion OF the IRE
| department or police force being furnished the
| worlds fair corporation at the public expense.
/ and that this resolution be brought to the Et-
| tention Of the mayor. IL the worlds fair needs
special FIRE and police service let the corpora.
tion furnish the same az its own and not the
| public expense.
]. w. Mackin, secretary of the joint
labor committee, was instructed 70 90 to-
| day to Springfield and attempt to have
| incorporated in the pending appropriation
| bill of 81, 100000 in aid of the worlds fair
a clause providing that the minimum rate
of wages shall be maintained IN the ex-
penditure of that money.