The morning call., 1892-11-08
BUSINESS ALMOST SUSPENDED
Result Of the Great Strike in New
Orleans.
ALL IMPORTANT INDUSTRIES AFFECTED
No StreetcarS Running and Much Inconvenience Sus.
tained by The Citizens-The Governor
Attempts Arbitration.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

$4,000
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. THE effects Of
the strike were more apparent this morn
ing. There was only few drays on the
streets, and small spring wagons for gen.
eral use. The city is remarkably quiet and
very little business is being dore. Att
o'clock A. NJ. the printers struck aud the
outlook for morning papers is not very
bright, though they will try to get out edi-
tions tomorrow. The Daily States, being q
non-union office, is not affected. and will
publish as usual
The decision of the printers to join the
strike braced up the other wavering organ
izations. and the result is all the unions
which signed the call for a general strike
are now out except the cotton laborers.
These have been allowed to remain at work,
Notwithstanding they are an important fac
tor in the situation, in order not to arouse
the opposition OF the powerful Cotton Ex-
change. 1t is understood. however. the men
are ready to quit whenever the word Is
given.
Not streetcar is running, no work is
being done, and the only sign Of activity is
in the wholesale grocery district. against
which the strike is chiefly directed. The
new men there are willing to remain at
work till violence becomes so general as to
make 1t unsafe. The groeers say if neces-
sary they viii close for thirty 10 ninety
days.
The Mayor this afternoon Issued procla-
nation warning all citizens Of his intention
to enforce the law, and declaring any
breaches of the peace would be followed by
arrest and Imprisonment.
Governor Foster has the militia in readi-
ness for Immediate action. but the belief is
well grounded that no steps Will be taken
until Wednesday, as any serious trouble be-
fore would not only complicate the election
here. but in other sections. The idleness of
such large body of negroes md the des-
peratlOn ensuing upon the loss OF their earn
ings is feared. and the Democracy will have
hard time 10 maintain Its supremacy in
consequence, as the crowds OF strikers and
the absence of streetcars will serve to
keep many OF the better element away from
the polls.
In the meantime the Governor Is using
every means to bring about an amica able
termination. having procured concessions
from the merchants. The Governor referred
the matter to the unions, and tney took
the matter under consideration and prom
ised to give an answer by noon to-day. Up
10 tonight, however, nothing has been
heard from them. The merchants carried
on business to-day as we'll as they could,
and are determined to stand firm.
They have received promises OF support
from other organizations, and IL is said the
executive committee received letter from
Ex-Governor Yarmouth. the Republican
leader In this State aud large sugar
planter, saying the planters desired the
merchants 10 stand firm, as victory for
the unions would mean the organization Of
the negroes throughout the State.
The supremacy Of the black element is a
constant menace TO business, and would
cause the conversion OF the producing plan
tatlons into grazing lands. Some Of the
largest planters of the State are in the city
to-day, and said the strike meant so much
TO them that they are willing to answer the
first call for men or money sent out by the
merchants.
As soon as the election is over the real
battle will begin, and Ii is believed that the
city authorities will throw off a good deal
OF the lethargy charged against them. Gov
eFnor Foster has received an opinion from
well-known legal authorities that he can
step in 10 preserve peace without waiting
TO be called on by the munici pal authorities
Besides this the merchants will determine
upon strong measures upon their own
account The merchants say number of
the men are willing TO return to work, but
did not propose to make targets for the
union until they are ready for vigorous
desense, and they declined to take them
back for the present
The strike fails to affect the newspapers
to the extent expected. and the only paper
which so far failed to appear is the Item.
the Official organ Of the strikers, although
that Is expected 10 appear tomorrow.
During the morning proclamation was
issued oy the Mayor calling upon all per-
sons 10 preserve the peace and warning the
people that any disorder would be repressed
by the steTDest measures
The most serious feature of the situation
is the suspension of the two electric sys-
tems-gas and electricity-and some alarm
n tyhan ha nffi of 81
trio light companies called upon the Mayor
and said they thought that they could fur
nish light If granted protection for the men
to take the places of the strikers. This was
readily promised.
During the afternoon the President of
the Sugar and Rice Exchange asked the
Mayor that projection bs furnished those
interests. Nearly forty thousand barrels of
sugar, molasses and other products lay on the
levee at the mercy of public tumult. and IL the
Mayor could not furnish the force required
the exchange, he said, would tender men to
be sworn In as special officers. The Mayor
agreed to commission all such men. The
Board OF Trade also urged the Mayor to do
his utmost to bring about a resumption of
the streetcar travel, continue the supply of
gas. electricity and water and other actual
necessities.
In reply the Mayor announced that his
powers were restricted to the preservation
OF the peace; that he could not force the
men to work. but he could and would
maintain order A strong influence was
brought to bear on the electric ight men, ss
their being out was such a serious matter.
and they were finally induced TO return to
work. The gasmen are still out, however.
as are the telephone linemen; but the ex-
change operators are still in, as are the
Western Union operators, although strenu-
Gus efforts were made to bring them out.
The Charity Hospital appealed To the
directors CT the gas company for light to-
day and offered to furnish the labor re-
quired to operate portion of the plant
sufficient to furnish the hospital but the
directors refused, fearing for the safety of
the plant If the strikers were opposed. The
union freight-handiers quit at noon, but
the unemployed in the cotton presses and
yards are still at work.
The leaders claim that the men simply
worked the day out and will strike as soon
as positive orders are given. The Cotton
Exchange Is not yet involved, but il the
cotton trade is effected as proposed the cot
ton men will join in the strong measures
WHICH The employers propose TO inaugurate
m Waduaedau