The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-06-30
STRIKING STREET PAYERS
Men on the South West Street Job In.
duced TO Qait by Walking Delegate.
Some Disturbances of Minor Nature-Talk
Of "a General Strike-Want of Police Pro-
tection-May Bring Italians.

The threatened strike OF the men en-
ployed by the Acme Paving and Construc.
ton Company. on South West street. oc-
CURED yesterday. There were about
eighty men working on the job and they
all were on hand yesterday morning, at
o'clock. when it was time to go work. Be-
fore the whistle blew a walking delegate
of the Transfers and Shovelers' Union.
named Collins, circulated among them and
told them that the union had ordered them
to strike. This was what had been ex.
pected by them and the greater part of
them threw down their shovels and hoes
and adjourned to the sidewalk calling on
the few who were left to come with them.
AT that time there was not very much dis
turbance. but as the morning wore on, ana
there were still men at work. those who
had gone out became exasperated at their
failure to quit. and sought some means to
make them stop. There were about fifteen
men at work on the grade. and the walk
ing DELEGATES and several of the strikers
mingled among them trying to induce
them to leave. They, for the most part.
did not want to do So 1t was the old story
of men who needed the work. and " ho had
families to care for. and who did not feel
as though they could afford to strike. One
By one. however. they left their tools and
Joined the ranks of the idlers on the walk.
Mike Collins. walking delegate, while talk
ing to big negro. and trying TO induce
him TO quit. used some pretty harsh words
20 him. and the negro made pass at him
with pick. Collins lodged 1t. and it was
well he did. for the blow was struck in
earnest. and if it had ever landed 1t light
have resulted very seriously.
After dinner about @ dozen men began
work, and the strikers stood about guyinQ
them calling them "soabs," and seeking
every means possible to make them stop.
They began to get noisy and threatening,
and by O'clock there was not q man lett
to turn q brick. The saloon on the point
of Kentucky avenue and West street was
patronlzed freely, and several bloodless
tights were the consequences. One of the
rows which started In the saloon extended
into the street and threatened To become
general for the time being. but quieted
down. A little later a few police appeared
on the ground. and awe of the blue uni
form prevented any further disturbance.
The cause OF the strike l. O demand for
more pay. The members of the union soy
they went to work on the job with
the understanding that they were to get
b. for ten hours work and 81 day for
teams. and that for awhile they received
10, but that the contractors had cut the
wages recently and they did not pro-
pose to stand It. The union also objects to
having the men work ten hours, and put
In a claim for nine hours at S1.65. and 81. IS
for teams for the same length of time. The
assertion that this cut has been made 10
denied by the contractors. Manager
Fletcher and foreman De Rulter. of the
Acme Company, are both indignant at the
way the men have been doing The latter
said that they have been paid just what 10
was agreed that they should be paid when
they went TO work, and that there has been
no cut in the wages; also, that there are
enough men who want TO work If the others
will let them. and w ork at the prices which
have been prevailing Manager Fletcher
says that he will not accede TO the demands
OF the men If he has to abandon the work.