The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-17
THE STRIKERS MASS MEETING.

The Men to Gather at the Circle This Morn.
ing-A Long Siege Expected.
Union Hall. on East Washington street.
near Alabama street. was packed with the
strikers last night at q mass meeting.
called apparently for the purpose of mutual
encouragement. No detail of the strike 10
intrusted to the general union. The secre-
tary's desk was crowded with men seeking,
IL is said. to register their names in order
to join the union. 1t was announced THAI
there would be an mutation OF l76
applicants tonight at che regular meeting
at Union Hail.. The hall will not seat over
five hundred people. and arrangements are to
be made to-day which, if IL appears that
the crowd will be beyond the capacity OF
the hall. Tomlinson Hall is to be secured
for the meeting. The union claims a mem.
bership of 5000, and one of tn OIL GERS said
last night that, if the applications con-
tlnue to pour n as they have been doing
for several weeds past, the member ship
will soon be 1000. The management OF so
large q membership has caused wonder
ment among the Older labor agitators In
the city, ana the secret of il 10 explained
In the remark of one OF them, who said:
Phil Hutfbauer is o king among them.
His word is law, and none dare gainsay IT."
In the announcements last night 1t was
also stated that the policy Of the manage
disclosed only as it came to light in the
daily developments. In addition to HUI
bauer there is an executive
composed of seven of the leaders. 1t ls
through these that the strike ls directed.
though the master hand is Huffbauers.
The leader did not show ND at the meet
ing last niaht, and it was called to order
by Michael Collins, who formerly resided
In this city, then went to Chicago aud then
came back here. In his opening statement
the strike would be expected to be on or
about the Circle and Market street this
morning. not later than half past 9 o'clock.
he said that all who have teams should
have them with them, as IL would take
some time to 60 over the city and see that
everything was working in the line of the
strike. He cautioned the men to be care
full in the extreme to preserve the
peace, and not to strike back If assaulted.
and IL insulted to turn and walk away. The
contractors, he said. would like nothing
better than q breach of the peace. IL
policemen order them back. they were In
structed to obey the order and not TO make
themselves liable to the law In any way.
He said he executive committee would
meet again to-day. and that If il was found
an Impossibility to initiate so many to-
night. a meeting would be held on Sstur-
day afternoon. When he announced th at
three of the contractors had promised to
sign an eight-hour scale. and that the ma
jority of the rest said they would do what
ever the others would, there was O storm Of
cheers.
The meeting was addressed by ID. f. Ken
nedy in q speech concerning the guarantees
of the preamble of the Declaration OF In
dependence. His argument was intended
to show that the pursuit of happiness in
ciudes both the opportunity to earn enough
to live on and the time to enjoy the fruits
of ones labor. He said il was to the inter-
est of the employers that there should be a
surplus of labor and it was conversely TO
the interest of laboring men that there
should be q scarity of labor. Hence the
labOrer is interested In q short work day.
which absorbs the labor surplus. while for
the reason of self-interest the employer
desires o surplus of labor. Mr.. Kennedy
advised the men to be Iaw-abidIng. He
was ollowed by Edward Gould, who sue
ceeded in amusing the audience with
stories. but said little of value to his hear
ers. Mr. Lepage, one of the executive com-
mittee. was the last speaker. and advised
mnes and q careful regard to keep on
the safe side of the law. The meeting then
adjourned with cheers for the "eight.hour
day." From various expressions during
the course of the several speeches it was
inferred that the leaders expect q long
siege before the strike closes.