The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-07-13
$4,000 MEN ARE INvOL WE'D
Unanimlty Prevails in Laying
Down Of Tools.
Eject Of the Food Supply of the Coun-
try and Prices Of the Packers
Il Products II Being
Discussed.

Chicago. July 12.-As the result of a
stubborn disagreement chiefly over
wages for uasktlled labor, one of the
most extensive strikes in the history
of the packing industry in the United
States began today in Chicago. Kan
sas City. Omaha, st. Joseph. Mo-, and
other cities where large packing plants
are located. II prolonged the strike is
expected TO cause widespread inconve-
nience. possibly eaualling the anthra-
cite coal strike of two years ago.
The unanimity of the strike was COM
plete. More than $4,000 employees are
directly involved. In Chicago alone
$4,000 men are on a strike.
The effect of the strike upon the
food supply of the country and the
price Of meats Is being earnestly dis
cussed, Notwithstanding that an an
was made tonight that the
packing houses, contrary to somewhat
general expectation, will continue op-
efations without any close down. en-
ploying whatever help may be obtain
ed. How much alienation In the fur
nishing of supplies to the public this
course may afford 10 n matter of wide
variation of opinion. The packers de-
clare that hundreds of men who could
not be provided with places have been
applying daily for work.
Beginning OF Walk Ont.
The walk out here was started by
the employees of the killing depart
ments as fast as the current work left
by the slaughterers could be closed up.
Thus, as the workers in each depart
ment disposed of their part Of the work
they threw off their aprons and de-
parted. This consideration was shown
the packers, the labor officials announc-
"a tho AaQira
cause the employers any financial loss
as a result of neglecting meat that
was on hand to be dressed.
Watched by cordons of police, the
strikers flied briskly out of the pack
ing houses. carrying overalls, rubber
boots and knives, cleavers and steels.
The strikers were greeteH by crowds
OF women and children, m4ny OF whom
Joined hands with the workmen on the
outward march.
Whatever the future may have in
store in the way Of riots. there was
today absolutely no sign Of disorder.
A picturesque scene was presented
when the sausage factories and can
neries were left by their forces. There
are 1000 girls emp Dyed in these two
departments of meat industry. Clad
in the variegated garb of factory girls
this army of feminine strikers tripped
blithely along the main thoroughfare
of the 'stockyards and were roundly
cheered as they emerged through the
gates and distributed themselves in the
crowd of men who had awaited their
coming.
Girls show Loyalty.
Were with you to the last" the
girls exclaimed. smiling prettily as
thew stood around and talked over the
situation with their male companions
in the movement. How long do you
think II will last" inquired one of them
to her companion.
Don't know" he replied. except
that President Donnelly and the men
managed to hold out Hfteen months
in Buffalo, and 1 guess we can do as
much"
Michael Donnelly OF the Meat Cut
ters' and Butchers Workmen of North
America. the leader of the strikers
said in a conversation this afternoon
that he believed the strikers would
have little difficulty in withstanding a
siege of more than year on the strike
funds the unions have on hand.
In Chicago there are thirty-fve local
unions involved in the strike.
President Donnelly and the Presi-
dents of the various locals assembled
at headquarters this morning, think
render 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.
Arthur Meeker of Armour & Co said
tonight. I'VE consider the demand
of the union for an advance in wages
of unskilled labor entirely uuwarrant-
ed by Industrial conditions. We could
not concede it and propose to submit
the question to arbitration. which the
union declined to do. and called
strike today at all our plants
Departments Kept Running.
Every department is kept running
however. We have had applications
from hundreds of unemployed men fol-
positions at less wages than we have
been paying. and every day expect tC
increase our output. We regret ex-
tremely the hardships and suffering
that will be imposed on the thousands
of men who are thrown out of employ
ment, directly and Indirectly. through
the strike, and the temporary incon
venience caused the public at large
but we consider the results entirely
| with the union who not only asked
what they were not entitled to. but de-
clined to submit the question to impair
| tial arbitration"
president Donnelly, the strike lead
er, said: II wish to make 1t clear tina
| we are fighting not for an increase o.
wages, but against a decrease.
Our original demand was for min
| imum of 20 cents an hour for laborers
The demand was amended after oui
| second conference with the packers II
June. We agreed to scale of Is Ii
cents an hour except in Omaha anC
Sioux City. where the scale is 10 cents
The packers on the other hand refuset
to pay more than II 1-2 cents an hour
and declined to sign any agreements
at all except with a small proportion
OF the workmen.
The question of wages 20 skilled
men was not discussed"
Long before the claims of either sid
| OF the controversy had been thus out
| lined to the public before the strik'
was an hour old, a curious thing wa!
manifest in the restaurants Throughout
| the city.
Rush of Meat Orders.
Customers appeared to be afraid les