Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-14
AT NEW YORK.
Five Thousand Men Are Idle in the
Metropolis.

New York. July 13.-The leaders and
officers of the AmalEamatcd Meat Cut
ters' and Butchers Union OF America
nearly 500 of those members are on
strike. went into conference at the local
union Headquarters. Wednesday. 1t is
reported that plan for the arbitration
Of the wage difference, which caused the
strike is under discussion. Requests for
notice protection from many of the meat
hackers were received about the hour for
work to begin ut the establishments. No
trouble had catened but the requests
were a precautionary measure. At one
packing house reserves We're sent upon
the report that a crowd of men was gath
erng
When the hour for opening the big
meat packing plants in this city had ar
rived, the strike of the butchers and
meat handlers inaugurated in the West
Tuesday was on in this city and before
many hours it was estimated that nearly
5000 men had quit work. The strike frs
went into effect at the branches of the
big Western packing houses located on
18th avenue from 10th to END streets.
The men congregated in this district
but made no demonstrations. From the
managers of the plants it was learned
that the beef supply is Very low. some Of
the dealers having only enough to last l.
minutes when the daily purchasers ar
rived. Within few hours the price of
beef had gone up two and three cents a
pound. with indica tions of advancing fur
Their in another few hours.
None of the dealers had a supply suf-
ficient to last longer than week.
The possibility of a sympathetic ST. ike
of the Benchmen's Association is feared
These men represent the cutters in re-
tail stores and such a step would com
plctely tie up the retail trade and di-
rectly effect families.
The strike has also affected the local
abattoirs. All work at these places is
at standstill and only orders filled
yesterday. are being delivered, today.
Homer u. Can, national secretary Of
the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and
Butchers workmcn is expected from
Syracuse during the day. He will take
charge Of the strike in this acity. The
seriousness Of the situation from the
employers standpoint was shown in Il
brief statement issued by the local
manager for Swift & 60. He said: We
haven't advanced the price of anything
for the simpi" reason that we haven't
anything to advance the price on. | am
willing to pay II cents a pound for Il
carload OF beef if | can get it, but
can't get it. That s all there is to it,
one Of the managers for Armour & 90.
said: I'VE have a good deal of meat
on hand at present and are supplied
for two weeks. I don't know how long
the strike is likely to last but 4 meat
famine will almost inevitably result if
the difficulties are not settled within
two weeks After that time. if the
strike is still on, there will undOubtcd
~ be a big rise. on prices
a conference between the executive ofil-
GERS of the ANA lgamatcd Meat Gut rrs'
and Butchers Unions and the business
agents of the Stationary Fircmem and sta
tionary Engineers Unions WAS held. to-
day. to discuss the adviSahilty of calling
out the engineers and tremen employed
in the packing houses. II was said that
in all proba bility these men VIII strike
\ meeting of the Bcnchmen's Union also
was held to discuss the situation.
A phase of the strike situation that
the firms against which the strike il di
rected and whose output is crippled. held
the government and municipal contracts
awarded i'm this vicinity. Should the
strike continue and the supply become
limited il was said the government or
doris would take precedence over all 9TH
crS.