The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-07-13
HOUSE SRTIKE
Big Plants Shut Down As 900
Men Walk Out.

Chicago, July I2.-As the result
Of a stubborn disagreement, chiefly
over wages for unskilled labor, one
of the most extensive strikes in the
history Of meat packing industry
of the United States began today
in Chicago, Kansas City, Omaha,
St. Joseph and other cities where
large packing plants are located ! If
prolonged the strike is expected to
cause widespread Inconvenience,
possibly equaling the anthracite
coal famine of two years ago
The unanimity of the strike was
complete. More than $4,000 en-
ployes are directly involved In
Chicago alone IS 600 men are out
on the strike.
The effect Of the strike OH the
food supply Of the country and the
price of meats is being earnestly
discussed Notwithstanding an
nouncement tonight that the pack
ing houses, contrary somewhat TO
general expectations, will continue
ODerations without anv close down.
employing whatever help may be
obtained The packers declare that
hundreds Of men who could not be
provided with places have been APP
plying daily for work.
The walkout here was started by
theemployes Of the killing depart
ments at the various packing
houses. The killers were followed
by workers i'll the other depart
ments az fast as the country work
left by the slaughters could be
cleaned up Thus as the workers
in each department disposed Of their
part Of the work they rew off
then aprons and departed. This
consideration was shown to the
1 packers. because it was not the de
sire Of the men to cause the en-
ployers any financial loss as a re-
suit Of neglecting meat that was
on hand to be dressed. Watched
by cordons Of police, The strikers
filed briskly out Of the packing
houses, carrying overalls, rubber
boots and knives, cleavers and
steels. The strikers were greeted
by crowds Of women and children,
many of whom joined hands with
the workmen on the outward march
There was absolutely no sign Of
disorder.
Arthur Meeker of Armsur and
Company, said tonight.
We consider the demand of the
union for an advance in wages in
unskilled labor entirely unwarrant-
ed by industrial conditions. We
could not concede it aud proposed
TO submit the question 10 arbitra-
ton which the union declined to
do and called the strike today at all
our plants. Every department is
kept running, however. We have
had applications from hundreds of
unemployed men for positions with
less wages than we have been pay
ing, and every day expect to in.
crease our output We regret ex-
tremely the hardships and suffer
ings that will be imposed on the
I thousands of men who are thrown
out of work, directly and indirect
ly through the strike and the tenn
I porary inconvenience caused the
public at large, but we consider
that fault rests entirely with the
union, who not only asked what
they were not entitled to, but de
clined to submit the question to i'm
partial arbitration.
President Donnelly, the strike
leader said
Il wish to make it clear that we
are not fighting for an increase of
wages but against a decrease.
"Our original demand was for a
miaimum OF 20 cents an hour fol
laborers. This demand was a.
mended after our second confer
ence with the packers in June.
I'VE then agreed on scale Of