Evening journal., 1901-05-15
Thousands Of City WOrkmOn
Will be Affected
IMPORTANT MEETING Held
Ii Differences Are Not Settled it Is
Almost Certain Men Will
Quit Work

From present indications one Of the
most gigantic and widespread strikes
that ever has taken place in this coun-
try, will occur on Monday, May 90,
when $50, 900 machinists throughout the
United States will lay aside their tools
and quit work.
Not only will this move cripple
every manufacturing rlant so far as
machine work Is concerned, but indi-
rectly 500 600 men engaged as metal
workers in one capacity or another
either will follow The lead of the ma
chinists or unavoidably be thrown out
of work
ORDERS FROM WASHINGTON.
For some time past all machinistsl
who are members of the International
Association OF Machinists have been agi-
tating a nine-hour-a-day system with
pay for ten hours work No definite
action was taken, however, until a con-
ference among James O'Connell, presi-
dent of the International Machinists
Association, President Gompers, of the
American Federation Of Labor, and
several members of each organization
was held in New York on Saturday. The
result was that upon President OCon-
nell's return to Washington, ID. c., or
ders were issued to individual lodges
throughout the country that unless the
demand for the nine-hOur system we're
complied with by employers on or be-
fore May 20, a general strike would en-
sue. So far about $50 firms throughout
the country have acceded TO the de-
mands.
EFFECT FAR-REACHING.
The effect of the order was wide
spread and far-reaching, and Whining
ton has felt It probably as much, if MT
more, than any city of its size in the /
country. In it are employed in the va
Tious manufacturing plants about 600
machinists have waited on the various
order was formed here, and plans were |
made to follow out the instructions OF
President O'Connell Delegations of |
machinists have awaited on the various
firms, but so far say they have met |
with little satisfaction.
When spoken to On the subject, J. J. |
SatterthWaite, general manager and
vice-president OF the Remington Ma
chine Company, said:
"Officials of our company have had |
a conference with our machinists but
no agreement was reached. They ask
for ten hours a day pay for nine hours
work. We could not afford to grant it,
and there the question rests.
Nothing was said about going out.
We are willing to grant our employees
an interview at any time
The Remington Company employs
about ninety machinists, and an equal
number of helpers.
Clarence c. Switzerland, private sec
retary of the Pusey and Jones Com
~4a 4nI t1asraf g. hS nrs..r
there is nc trouble with the men, and
no interview between employers and
employees had taken place. II was
learned later. however. from a different
source that a communication regard
ing the nine-hour system had been for
warded to the firm, but no action was
taken.
J. MORTON POOLE REFUSES.
A delegation of machinists employed
by the j. Morton Poole Company call
cd upon President Poole. and were cor
daily received. The nine-hour prob
lem was discussed, but Mr.. Poole said
he could not see his way clear to grant
the request.
ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING.
In the Smith building, No. 61Ols
Market street, last evening an enthusi-
astie meeting Of local machinis;s was
held, and several interesting addresses
were made. The first speaker was
Henry ]. Nelson. Of Philadelphia labor I
editor OF the Philadelphia North Amer !
ican. He made a forcible speech upon 1
the subject Of organized labor, and
was loudly applauded by the 800 people
who were present. He urged that the
machinists stand together, and their
cause would be sustained u
George w Roberts was the next
speaker, and made an address on the
efforts to obtain a shorter hour system .
The last speaker Of the evening was !
Horace Greeley Knowles.
Stand firm" said Mr.. KNOWLES else I
sense and brains, not force. Force is,
the last thing to be used. Don't be a {
bowling mob. Select competent lead
ers. Make no mistake in the selection
of them, and abide by their decision
and judgment as long as you have con
fidence in them.
Il don't believe a strike will be rec.
essary if these lines are followed ont
Consult with the employers and the diff
iculty will be adjusted"
Mr.. Knowles speech was much ap-
plauded. I
WILL AFFECT EIGHT HUNDRED. I
In case no agreement is reached with
in the next few days by employers and Z
emp.fyes a strike seems Inevitable.
Business men throughout the city are b
much exercised over the subject II Z