Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-07-15
BIG STRIKE IS ON.

Chicago. the result of stub
born disagreement, chiefly over wages
for unskilled labor, one of the most ex-
tenssive strikes in the history of the
meat packing industry of the United
States has begun in Chicago, Kansas
City, Omaha, st. Joseph and other
cities where large packing plants are
located. If prolonged the strike is ex-
pected to cause widespread inconven-
fence, possibly equaling the anthracite
coal famine of two years ago.
The unanimity of the strike was
complete. More than 40 900 employees
are directly involved. In Chicago
alone 5000 men are on strike.
The effect of the strike on the food
supply of the country and the price of
meats is being earnestly discussed, not
withstanding the statement that the
packing houses, contrary somewhat to
expectations, will continue operations
without any closedown, employing what
ever help may be available.
How much alienation in the furn-
ishing of supplies to the public this
course may afford is matter of wide
variation of opinion. The packers de-
clar that hundreds of men who could
not be provided with places have been
applying daily for work.
The walkout here was started by the
employees of the killing departments at
the various packing houses. The kill
ers were followed by the workers in the
other departments as fast as the cur
rent work left by the slaughterers
could be cleaned up. Thus the work.
ers in each department disposed of
their part of the work they threw off
their aprons and departed. This con-
siderBtion was shown to the packers,
the labor officials announced, because
it was not the desire of the men to
cause the employers any financial loss
as result of neglecting meat that was
ON hand to be dressed.
The strikers filed briskly out of the
packing houses, carrying overalls, rub
Der boots and knives, cleavers and
steels. The strikers were greeted by
crowds of women and children, many
of whom joined hands with the work.
men on the outward march. There
was absolutely no sign of disorder.
A picturesque scene was presented
when the sausage factories and cam
neries were left by their forces. There
are 1000 girls employed in these two
departments of the meat industry.
Clad in the various garb of factory
girls, this army of femme strikers trip.
ped blithely along the main thorough
fare of the stockyards and wer round
ly cheered as they emerged through the
gates and distributed themselves among
the horde of men who had awaited
their coming
''We are with you to the last, the
girls exclaimed, as they stood around
and talked over the situation with
their male companions in the move
ment.
How long do you think it will
last?" inquired one of them, looking
quite serious.
Dunno" he replied, except that
President Donnelly says the men man
aged to hold out 3 months in Buffalo,
and l guess we can do as much"
President Donnelly Of the Amalga-
mated Meat Cutters & Buthcer Work.
men of North America, leader of the
strikers, said in conversation that he
believed the strikers would have little
difficulty in withstanding a seige of
more than year with the strike funds
the unions have on hand. In Chicago
35 local unions were involved in the
strike.
President Donnelly and the presi-
de is of the various locals assembled
ia the headquarters this morning,
thinking they might receive work Of
surrender from the packers, but no
word came.
The packers took the position that
they had replied decisively to the
workers demand and had nothing more
to say except to emphasize refusal to
pay the wage scale asked.
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