Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-01
DAWN OF MAY DAY FINDS
MANY THOUSANDS IDLE
Other Thousands Likely to Be Added
to Their Ranks Before
Sun Sets.
PERIOD OF INDUSTRIAL UNREST
Increased Prosperity Resulting From
War and Higher Cost OF Living
Declared to Form Foundation OF
Demands Made in IIabor's Behalf,

NEW YORK. April ao--An analysis
OF labor conditions In this city and
the metropolitan district shows that
May will dawn with between 10000
and $4,000 workinGmen and women OH
strike or locked out, with other in
dustrial disturbances threatened which
may throw thousands more out of en-
ployment.
Strikes involving scores of thousands
arc in effect OF threatened in other
parts of the East. notably in Pitts
burgh, where $4,000 Westinghouse en-
ployees are on strike. Settlement also
is pending of the countrywide de-
mands OF 100000 railroad employees.
NO May Day in recent years will
have witnessed so many concrete evil
denccs of Industrial unrest. in spite
OF the fact that many thousands of
workers have been granted higher
wages and shorter hours.
PROSPERITY Is GENERAL.
AND LIVING COSTS HIGHER
The right of labor TO an Increased
share in the country's prosperity re-
sulting from the war. joined with the
higher cost of living, is declared by
labor leaders generally TO form the
foundation OF labor demands
An encouraging development almost
on the eve of May Day was the an
nouncement that a tentative agreement
had been reached by the representa-
tfrcs OF the operators and anthracite
miners. which probably would avert
& strike of $4,000 men.
Announcement was made tonight
also. that because Of concessions grant
cd by steamship companies aud mas
tor stevedores. general strike Of
workmen on tho water front in this
city was not probable.
Industrial disturbances here include
one of the most serious in tho city's
history. The Cloak, Suit and Skirt
Manufacturers Association. members
of which do an aggregate annual husi-
ness estimated ut $4,000, 400, antici-
rat!ng possible strike during the
height of tho summers activities In
Earmcnt-makiuR. forestalled such ac-
ton last week by declaring n lockout.
affecting between 1000 and $4,000 en-
ployccs. Union leaders believe the
troubie will last until September 10.
Some 10000 employees in indcpenti~
ont shons have threatened TO walk out
tomorrow or Tuesday unless granted
a continuance of The provision in The
1915 protocol favoriuG organized work
crs over those unorganizcd.
Large strikes in this city involve
about 10000 painters and decorators.
who demand increased pay, $500 jew
ciry workers and $500 custom taiIors.
Scores Of other strikers in the metro
poiitan district and in New Jersey in
volve smaller numbers, hut aggregate
thousands OF employees. The demands
are for higher wages and shorter
hours.
ENJOY HIGHER WAGES
AND SHORTER HOURS
Hugh F'rayue. general organizer here
for the American Federation Of Labor.
said to-day that ali-told, more men
and women were enjoying higher pay
and shorter hours than ever before in
this city.
Talk OF reaction setting in Mr..
Eraync added. does not alarm me.
Labor is not getting too much. 1t is ad-
jus,iuG itself 10 conditions as they
exist"
Colonel NJ. j Reagan, Of the State
Board OF Mediation OF the Depart
ment of Labor said that aside from
railroad employees. there has been a
general advance throughout New York
per cent, Many railroad workers In
unclass:ticd departments Of certain
roads also have bccn benefited.