New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-04
THE STRIKE IN THE WEST.
TROUBLE FEARED WHEN WORK Is RE-
SUMED ON MONDAY.
[BY TELEGRAPH To TIE TRIBUNE. ]


Chicago, March 3.-The first real test OF en-
durance between the striking union and
their former employers and those non-uuion
men who will take the places of the strikers will
occur here on Monday. when the building con-
tractors, manufacturers and others who have re-
fused to sign the union scale regarding the regu-
lation of wages and hours of labor will put non
union men to work. Al present the number of
men now idle on account OF strikes and lockouts
is about sixty thousand, distributed as follows;
Builders. $4,000: machinsts, 1000: plate glass
workers, 1000; miscellaneous, 5000
Bloodshed is expected TO engue when the non
union men begin work. as the unionists have
pickets at every factory and place of business
where "scabs'' Will probably be put TO work,
and stalwart renforcements at hand 10
make it warm for the substitutes. Several men
have already been killed and wounded and the
list of casualties promises to be largely swelled
within the few days. The hatred that ex-
lists between the union and non-union men was
demonstrated this morning at the corner Of
Sixti- hist. and Kimbark-
AT 10 o'clock body of union men presented
themselves at a new building under construction
there and threatened the non-union at work
for F. A Collins the contractor in charge. The
latter recognized the attacking party union
men, some OF whom had been in his employ
and made immediate preparations for trouble
Derisive cries came first, and then In a moment
the air filed with missiles. The non-union
men separated and for shelter. the greater
part Of the crowd pursuing two Of the number.
One of the fugtives was overtaken and severely
beaten while the other took refuge by running
up the front stairs OF a by residence and
making a stand in the entrance
Penned in. he was at the mercy of the crowd
closing in upon him, when woman opened the
door behind him and handed him a big revolver,
telling him to shoot down the first man who
approached him. grhe sight Of the weapon awed
the crowd, and, the besieged workman was able
to hold his position unmolested until the arrival
Of the police
sixty contractors are preparing resume
building operations Monday morning en-
ploying non-union labor. Building Trades Coun-
Gil leaders say IL will then be demonstrated that
the contractors attempting impOSSlbllty.
So serious has the situation become that a drop
in the price of steel stocks Change yester-
pday was attributed TO the labor war now on in
Chicago
President O'Connen of the International AS
sociation Of Machinists has been asked by sew
eral of the larger manufacturers TO grant "a per
sonal interview to give d clearer understanding
of the conditions proposed by the union. He
will go to Columbus Monday to attend a con-
ference which has been arranged between the
manufacturers and the officers Of the union, but
there is little hope that satisfactory agree
ment will be arrived at, as the employers con-
slider the demands of the unions out OF all
reason
Mayor Harrison is taking all possible pre-
cautions TO prevent rioting on Monday. Special
officers being sworn in at the City Hall, and
the workmen on all buildings where operations
will be resumed will be protected by armed
guards. Mayor Harrison has announced In an
open letter that the Police Department Will pro-
tect victims OF assault so far as the Department
is able TO do so. Despite all precautions, there
is feeling that bloodshed is inevitable, and
some of those either side of the controversy
have expressed the belief that IL can not De
avoided. except by complete surrender II one
side The unions will not give in, and the en-
ployers say they cannot except by plunging
themselves into bankruptcy.
In the mean time various unions continue to
cali ont their members and it Is predicted that
P,III,
al men on the strike list. A large proportion of
the men in the Building Material Trades Coun-
ell will undoubtedly be on strike before the end
of next week,
business agents of the various councils voted
at a meeting held to-day to order sympathetic
strikes, in all factories which supply nom union
contractors with material