The times., 1898-08-29
big Strike Is BRE Ting
Book Printers Will Demand a
Nine-hOur Work Day.
PREPARING FOR MONTHS
Only Job Office Workmen Are Com
cerned, Newspaper Hours Being
Less Than the Proposed Limit Now
-Fhousands Await the Word to
Go Out-Resfstance In the West.

Should the proprietors of book and job
printing establishments throughout the
country refuse the demands of the Inter
national Typographical Union for shorter
work hours, which will soon be made
their action will precipitate strike which
Will paralyze the printing trade of the
United States.
The subject has been under advisement
by the international Union for long
time and has been considered from every
possible point of view. The proprietors Of
printing establishments ali over the coun-
try have for long time also been aware
that demand for shorter hours will be
made and as a consequence both sides
nave been preparing for great struggle
In the event that an amicable agreement
is not reached.
The determination to demand general
nine-hour work day for book and Job
printers was decided upon al the last con-
ventfen of the International Topographic
cal Union, and committee known as the
Shorter Work Day Committed" was ap-
pointed and given full power to act, and,
TO order strike all along the line
Investigating Committee.
This committee has been at work inves-
tigating the condition of affairs since ap-
pointed, and now it is announced that the
members of the union and the allied
trades are ready and waiting for the word
10 strike, II the committee should order it.
IA ff... -,
De ordered, have been made. In those
sections of the country where 1t is ex
pected that the printers will meet with
opposition from their own craftsmen an
preparations to the general defense fund
nave been made. In this matter. il is
said, the members of the printing trade
nave been prompt and generous in their
contributions, and in the event of a fight
IL Is said that there is already enough
cash in the hands of the treasurer of the
1und TO hold out for a least a year.
me membership of typographical un-
ions Is estimated at about 5000 to which
must De added the members of the allied
trades, who number nearly 30 900 more
Ihe committee in charge OF the affair
mas done its work so secretly that beyond
It's own members there is not living
soul who has the remotest idea when the
strike Will begin. The several thousand
dinerent affiliated unions throughout the
country have, however been kept thor
oughly posted on all other matters rela-
tive TO the strike. and have pledged their
full support TO any movement the com
mlttee might inaugurate for the better
ment of the trade
Inc committee, however. does not ex-
mart oVtnp
the East from the printers themselves
nor in any other part of the country
where there are large and populous cities
FOR this reason the greatest opposition is
looked Tor in the West, especially in cities
ana towns where there are only small
printing establishments. s5 snfs
May Occur I'm October.
So far, all that is known of ,lba i,+or-
'iohs OF The committee in charge Of the
anairs is, that should it become neces-
sary to order the strike, 1t will be done
some time in October II is safe 70 cav
however, that 1t viii not be ordered If
at all, until after the annual meeting of
the international, Union, which will CON
vene October TO-
III was stated by prominent member
of Columbia Typographical Union No
AVi iast hisHt that even II a strike was
ordered 1t would not effect the condition
OF affairs in this city. The International
Union, he said. is making demand for
universal nine-hoT day, and as the
members of the union in this CITY are
already working under this, and in MANY
instances under still better conditions II
IS not likely that the peaceful situation
here will be disturbed.
Columbia Union, it was also said, had
more than once refused to contribute TO
the defense" fund, but 1t is believed that
If a strike should be ordered it will con-
tribute its full share to the support of
the movement of shorter hours for MEM
bers of the trade elsewhere.
The shorter hour movement in no way
affects newspaper printers, who have a
universal work day now of seven hours
Only the book and job printers are con-