The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-25
NOW WATCH FOR GRIM WAR
Streetand Sewer contractors Determine
Upon Ten-Hour Day.
Transfers and Shoyelers Demand Nine Hours
Both Sides Prepared for stubborn
Fight-Alsbama-Street Work.

An unusually large amount of public
work is contemplated tins year, and the
demand for common labor will be greater
than has ever been known in this city.
The sewer and street improvements con-
templated this season amount TO between
81. 100000 and s2,OOO.00O. 10 complete this
work before cold weather sets in the con-
tractors say they will be compelled to work
ten hours q day, and even then il is prob
able that when the winter sots In theze
will be work unfinished. The scale OF
wages to be paid this year will be higher
than has ever been paid for common
labor, oil the contractors having agreed
upon scale of In cents per
hour for laborers and 81 per day for teams
for ten-hour day. This arrangement.
however, does not meet the approval OF the
Teamsters' and Shovelers' Union, which
objects to the ten-hour day. and the result
Will, If present indications foretell events,
be fierce CONTEST between the contractors
and the union. The former have antici-
pated some trouble. and will be fully pre-
pared to meet it. They propose to work
the ten-hour day at the schedule given
above and if the teamsters and shovelers
will not accept the terms the contractors
will purchase their own teams and import
wages goes into effect April l. and on that
day Will probably begin light between
the con trac tors and the union.
This course OF action was finally deter
minei upon at a meeting of the contractors
held In the Council chamber yesterday
afternoon, attended by not only the local
firms but representatives of the outside
concerns that have obtained or are pros
pective bidders on city contracts. They
seem to be thoroughly organized. But the
IA m arr n nd an
have q very strong and compact union of
4s5 men, who are ruled absolutely by their
president, Philip HOffbauer. and act as q
unit in everything.
Both sides are confident of winning if
contest is lnaugurated and at present
A contractor IN speaking of the situation
last night said: I'VE have seen enough of
this thing of having our work run by walk
ing delegates and propose this year to man.
O high rate of wages and expect good work
in return and we will work ten hours day
If we can find men who Will work that
long; and considering the wages paid we
think there will be no difficulty in doing
So"
There was the usual number of men at
work upon the Alabama-street sewer yes.
terday. and they worked ten hours Mr.
Doe, one of the contractors constructing
the sewer. said they proposed to pay the
wages aud work the hours that was de-
cded upon by the local contractors. and
did not anticipate any trouble in securing
men. But one of the men at work on the
sewer belongs to the union. and the con-
tractors say have shown no disposition TO
be controlled by it. Mr.. Sullivan, who has
charge of the work, says that every day he
has applications for work by men willing
to work ten hours. and that as soon as the
work has progressed sufficiently to put on
q larger force they will do so.