The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-01
ABIG Strike THREATENED
The Chicago Labor Troubles May
Spre d Over the Country.
Three Thousand Nachinists Now
Idle-The Railroads on the Verge
of Becoming InVolved-A General
Tfe-Up Would Follow Many
Women and Girls Concerned.

CHICAGO, Feb. 2S-The labor war
reached stage today where those in
closest touch with the situation prophesied
that the failure OF the employers asso-
citation TO secure an immediate agreement
with the striking machinists would pre-
cipitate conditions rivaling those Of 1894.
Extending into almost every trade and
every branch Of industry depending upon
mechanical processes, the growing strike
of the machinists is creating intense alarm.
Effects of the conditions in Chicago have
been felt in Milwaukee. and the machinery
interests of that city are on the verge of
a tie-up. President James 0'Connell and
General Organizer Stewart r. Reds OF
the machinists' national organization, are
coming from Washington, and are expected
to reach Chicago tonight or tomorrow
morning.
The railroads, it IS declared, are now
on the verge of becoming involved, for
if the machinists IN their employ are
called out It is maintained that metal
workers, boilermakers, and other mechan-
les would follow. Railway telegraphers are
organized and ready for trouble, and the
trainmen, it is said, VIII soon demand in
creased wages.
Several hundred metal workers quit work
today out Of sympathy cor the striking
carpenters and builders. Three thousand
machinists are reported idle tonight the
list having been swelled by the addition
Of nearly GOO strikers during the day. The
machinists are resolved to stick by their
original demands. Fear is entertained that
machinists employed at the Deering Har-
vester Works may join in the strike, in
which event 10000 men, women, and chill
dren employed there would be affected.
While officials deny that there is any dan
ger of a strike. II is noteworthy that q
special guard of fifty police was placed
about the Deering plant tonight. and will
be maintained until the trouble is over.
Women employed at the stock yards and
labelling and packing departments OF sew
eral packing houses have been engaged in
a complex strike and lockout for weeks.
They are receiving encouragement from
the men employed in other departments
The principal trouble at present is among
the girls employed by Libbey, Mcneil &
Libbey, who returned 10 find the places OF
their leaders filled by women, who, It is
affirmed. intimldated them by a display Of
revolvers. knives. and brass knuckles The
strike was renewed tonight.
Treasurer John Corcoran, Of the Brick
layers and Stonemasons' Union at a meet
ing last night, said he had received an
offer of sl5, 600, which was to be deposited
to the credit OF the organization II it broke
away from the Building Trades Council
He refused the money. Had he accepted
It, the whole labor situation in the city
would have been changed. as such an ac-
tion would, II Is believed, have broken the
back Of the strike.
Treasurer Corcoran's declaration aroused
the members, and they determined to stick
by the Building Trades Council closer
than ever. After an exciting meeting it
was determined to fine all contractors who
did not sign the union scale by next Mon
day $500, and an additional $500 If a nom
union man was employed after March 8.
II was agreed also that the brlcklayers and
stonemasons should demand 80 cents an
hour instead Of so cents. rs heretofore