The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-28
RUMORS OF A STRIKE
STREET-CAR UNIONS PRESIDENT
ANXIOUS FOR TROUBLE.
Mr.. Mah0n Says Higher Wages VIII
BE Demanded In Several Cities
Other Labor News.

PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 27.-Tsc street
railway employees of this and other cities
are preparing to make demand for a
ten-hour day, at 20 cents an hour, and in
the event of the refusal of the ere ployers
to grant the concessions asked it is said
a general strike will occur. This decision
was reached by meeting of the executive
committee OF the Amalgamated Associa-
ton of Street-railway Employees of Amer
lea, held recently at the headquarters of
the organization in Detroit. Every member
OF the committee, including President
Mahon, was present at the meeting, and
the subject was thoroughly discussed. Mr..
Mahon stated his position as being in favor
OF making the demand at once, and added
that If necessary he would recommend that
means be taken to back up the request with
the full strength Of the organization. At
the conclusion of the meeting the execu-
tive committee voted unanimously to adopt
the presidents proposition. The cities
named are New York, Chicago, Philadel-
phia, Boston. Detroit, Worcester and Mill
waukee.
President Mahon, who is in this city, said
tonight: I'VE are going to make a demand
for ten hours work for 81 day, and we are
going to make that demand at once, and if
IT Is not granted strike will certainly re-
SUIT. we are tlreu Oh being IOoled, and we
intend from tonight to deal in this city di-
rectly with the Union Traction Company,
and through no third party. We are deter
mined that third parties shall be kept out
or our affairs, and, as We are capable of
attending 10 our own interests, We must
insist on our right to go direct to the en-
pioyerS Our association must be recOg-
nlZed. This Is final. l cannot say when a
strike may occur; it may occur in a week
ana IT may not occur for three weeks, or
even longer, but If our rights are not recog-
n1zed IL certainly will occur. Our meeting
did not decide to refer anything 10 arbitra-
ton. When / attended the meeting of the
executive committee at Detroit 1 said that
the time had come for making the de-
mend general, and favored vigorous &C
ton. 1 would De willing to either make
or break the organization in a battle for
concession that should be given us with
out compelling WIS to ask for it. 1t will be a
general movement, and will go into effect in
other cities. In New York the men are
eleven; in Boston and Worcester, nine; in
milwaukee. nine; in Detroit. nine and one
half; in Toledo, nine. AS q general thing,
We Will demand a minimum rate of twenty
cents an hour, although in Boston an in
crease Will be asked from 20 to 2212. and in
Milwaukee the men want 81 cents an hour
instead of 10. In Chicago they are getting
10 and want %. and in New York they will
ask for 70 instead Of II. Detroit is now
paying q and Toledo and Worcester 20
cents an hour. There will be no arbitra-
ton. 1t will be a fight to the finish.'
Dispatches from Chicago, Boston, Detroit
and Milwaukee say there is little probable
ity Of a strike at any of the places named.
The LithOgraphers' Strike.
NEW YORK Feb 37-The Strikino 1itho-