The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-11
STORY OF THE STRIKE.
The Events of the Day-A Serious Situate
for n TlmC-IIOw 1t Began.

The Events of the Day-A Serious Situation
for II Tlme-ITow 1t Began.
CHICAGO, April l0.-At the most criti.
cal timo possible for the Worlds Fair
the big exposition to-day encountered
its first great strike. A thousand men
quit work with q prospect that four
thousand more might join in the STAN
pede before night,
1t was the elimination Of much con-
troversy over what is claimed to be an
agreement between the Worlds Fair
officials and tho representatives OF
union,labor, by which all disputes were
to be- settled by arbitration. The men
contend that some OF the exposition
officials have recently shown disposi.
ton, now that the fair is nearly com.
pleted, to deny point blank anything
asked.
To-day was named by the agents OF
the building trades council as the final
time at which the arbitration must be
assented to il strike is to be averted.
Early this morning the emissaries
detailed to spread the news OF the order
for general strike at jackson Park as
issued by the building trades council,
were on hand ut the various entrances
to tho fair ground The delegates
were quickly strung along the fence
from Twenty.seventh street 10 Fifty
sixth street in regular picket line for
nation. Each side street leading to
tho grounds was picketed on both
side walks, to make tho canvass OF in
coming workers US complete as posi-
bic.
"Are you a union MANI" was the
question each dinner pail carrier was
buttonholed with, and il tho answer
was in tho affirmative tho order OF the
council was communicated.
Very fow union men disobeyed the
order. Ii tho subject Of examination
proved to be non.union man short
statement OF tho condition OF affairs
was given aud his membership in the
union solicited. No threats were made
OF bodily harm ii hc showed an inclina.
ton to proceed 10 work.
AN UNFORTUNATE AFFAIR.
That tho strike Of tho men employed
in aud about tho buildings in Jackson
Park is unfortunate is putting 1t mildly.
1t Is unfortunate for the exposition
management, for the workmon and for
tho fair Chiefly, however, tho Worlds
Fair would suffer. 1t Is Of extreme i'm.
portanco that 1t should be as nearly
complete rs possible on tho opening day
thrco weeks hence. Two or three
days Of delay now might mako II i'm.
possible for the management To keep
Its promise TO tho public that every.
thing will DO complete on tho first day
Of May. Work must be done without
interruption or President Cleveland on
his arrival hero TO start tho machinery
OF tho fair going may find nothing but
chaos. General opinion elected by tho
news that tho strike had actually begun
was that tho plain duty OF all con.
corned was TO como together, discuss
the points at issue calmly and Nmicably
and NrrivO at Nn agreement without
loss OF time.
by 0 ocloCl; about 1000 mon, all told
had quit work. An hour later 1900
electrical workers went ont,
Decisive action was taken by tho con.
Btruction department., aud orders were
issued TO tho uniformed Columbian
guards to romovo delegates actively
soliciting men TO quit work. From
that timO on, patrol wagon calls wore
pretty frequent,
Tho prompt removal OF agltatora
ungcrcd the crowd Of men at tho gatos
and d good deal Of threatening talk was
indulgcd In. Numerous personal on.
counters occurred between strikers
under tho influence Of liquor and non.
union men who showed Il disposition
TO 10 10 work.
AsYMrNtliY srRlHE,
Tho strike was ono oi sympathy.
last Tuesday tho carpenters council
presented its annually prepared scale