The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-29
Paris Also Threatened by Serious La
Dor Troubles When Exhibition
WOrkmen Are Dischargcd4
THOUSANDS WILL BE IDLE
AND MANY WILL REFUSE TO RETURN
TO THE PROVINCES.
The Government Preparing for the
Expected Crisis-COnditiOn
of the Big Show.

PARIS, April 2S.-A famine of clean linen
is more disturbing to Parisians than the
incomplete condition of the exposition
grounds. Eight thousand Paris washer
women have struck for higher wages and
a shorter workday. and serious inconven-
ience has already been caused. The hotel
managers and keepers of restaurants bit
terly complain that half their linen is not
returned from the wash, and private fam
lilies are also feeling the pinch. The strike
commenced at Boulogne-sur-Seine and
spread to several other environs where
laundries are situated. The laundry work
people around Paris number between 10000
and 10000, and If the strikers succeed in Sc
curing their adhesion the mass Of Parisians
will have to go unwashed.
The fact that the influx of visitors to the
exposition has begun, necessitating heavy
demands on the laundries, gave the wash
erwomen an opportunity to put the screws
on their employers, who naturally are
much incensed by this attempt to force
their hands now, when they have already
concluded contracts in many cases with
hotels, restaurants and other establish
ments for the exposition season at deter
increase of wages, but the strikers thus far
have refused to compromise. Bands of
work people gather in the neighborhood of
the laudries where work is still partially
continued and try to persuade the nom
strikers to join them. No serious disorder
has yet occurred, but the police are taxi
ing precautions and detachments of gen.
darmes have been drafted to the districts
where trouble is possible.
This ebullition of labor difficulties calls
attention to the serious possibility of much
graver disturbances arising from the
throwing on the labor market of thousands
of workmen by the completion of the ex-
hibition and of the central portion of the
new Metropolitan Railway. These great
undertakings attracted to Paris numbers of
provincial carpenters, masons, painters and
unskilled laborers, and the problem the
government has now TO face is the dis
persal of these men through the country.
or to avoid a great labor crisis in Paris,
the consequence of which it would be diff
ficult to foresee. The first measure of the
government has been to post at all centers
of work placards enumerating undertake
ings in the provinces directed by the min
lister of public works. 1t is estimated that
these works will absorb about 1900 arti-
sans. Free transportation will be given TO
the places where the men are required.
There still, however, remains large re-
sidium for whom jobs are wanted. The act
ing secretary of the labor exchange calcu-
lates that fifty thousand workmen came to
Paris last year. OF this number two-thirds
intend to return to their homes.
The secretaries of the several trades
unions take a more pessimstic view of the
situation. The secretary of the painters
organization, for instance. reckoned that
the completion of the exhibition will leave
over ten thousand alone unemployed, while
a committeeman of the unskiled laborers'
union claims that the number of that class
who will be thrown on the streets will
reach 10000, few of whom will consent to
go to the provinces. This latter reluctance
is an important factor in the crisis, as the
countrymen, intoxicated by the glitter OF
the metropolis. are disposed to hang on as
long possible.
The fortnight's work on the exposition
since the opening has done much to bring
order out of the chaos which obtained
when President Loubet declared the expo
sition opened. Perceptible progress is be-
ing made daily; and sighfseers can find
sufficient to repay them for the trouble o.
a visit. The galleries are filling up with
the exhibits which are being rapidly in
stalled. The foreign sections in this re-
spect are further advanced than Frances
own buildings, and the American exhibits
are keeping we'll abreast of those of other
countries Most of the foreign national
ipavilions now are on the eve of Inaugural
ton and several have been opened, Bosnia
and Hungary being the latest to unclose
their doors. Both of these offer charming
interiors and are Enthusiastically and ar
tistically representative Of their respective
countries.
Two small fires within the exhibition
grounds have caused an outcry from the
French, and have brought home to the ad-
ministration the danger Of confiagration
In view of the meager facilities for fighting
fire, measures are now TO be taken TO
remedy this situation. One outcome OF
this agitation has been the enforcement
this week of the bylaws of the exhibition
prohibiting smoking inside the buildings
Several men have been arrested and pros
ecuted for this offense. One case came be-
fore the courts. which decided against the
exhibition authorities on the ground that
the prefect of police alone is empowered
TO regulate this matter. According to some
authorities. Commissioner General Picard.
by the illegal arrests, has rendered himself
liable to penal servitude. This eventuality
however, Is not likely to fall TO the lot OF
the controlling mind of the great worlds
fair.
A fresh conflict has arisen between the
Cabinet and Cardinal Richard. whose
action at the time OF the Assumptionist