The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-05-04

New York. May Am analysis or
labor conditions in this city and the
METROPOLITAN district shows that May
l dawned with between $4,000 and
$4,000 working men and women on
strike or lockout with other Industrial
disturbances threatened which may
throw thousands more out or employ
ment.
Strikes involving scores Of thousands
are in effect or threatened In other
parts Of the east, notably in Pittsburgh,
where $4,000 Westinghouse employees
are on strike. Settlement also Is pend
ing OF the country wide demands or
100000 railroad employees. Taken al
together no May day on record has met
with so many evidences OF Industrial
unrest in spite of the fact that many
thousands Of workers have been grant
ed higher wages and shorter hours.
The right Of labor to an increase shown
in the country's prosperity resulting
from the war, Joined with the higher
cost of living, are declared by labor
leaders generally to form the founda-
ton Of labor demands.
Coal Strike AVerted.
An encouraging development almost
on the eve of May day" was the an
nouncement that q tentative agree
ment had been reached by the repre-
sentatiVes Of the operators and min
ers which probably would avoid strike
of $4,000 miners in the anthracite
coal fields.
Industrial disturbances here include
one of the most serious in the city's
history. The Cloak, Suit and Skirt
Manufacturers association, members
of which do an aggregate annual bust
ness estimated at 1916, 100000 anticipat-
ing a possible strike during the height
Of the summer activities in garment
action last
week by declaring lockout, affecting
between 10000 and $4,000 employees.
Thousands Are Idle.
The next largest strike in this city
numerically involves about 10000 paint
ers and decorators, who demand in
creased pay. other trades in which
employees are idle include $500 jewelry
There also are scores of other, strikers
in the metropolitan district and in New
Jersey, involving smaller numbers, but
aggregating thousands OF employees,
The demands are for higher wages and'
shorter hours. Hugh Frayne, general
organizer here for the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor, said that, all told,
more men and women were enjoying
higher pay and shorter hours than ever
before in this city.
100000 to Parade.
Owing to the unusual ferment In
labor circles, union leaders pTeulCI
that the May day parade here today
will be one of the most notable labor
demonstrations New York has ever
seen. Estimates of the number Of men
and women in line ran as high as 100,-
900.
The marine traffic OF this port was
seriously affected today by a strike Of
the engineers and firemen on the veS-
sells Of the lighterage class. Hundreds
Of tug boats and other towing craft
were idle at their piers and the con-
geStion of freight, involving delays Of
cargoes on steamships and railroads
presented serious problem.
Hundreds Of Tugs Idle.
approximating IA per cent and recog-
milton Of their association. The fire.
men asked 20 per cent more pay.
OF more than 700 tugs and steam
lighters engaged in river and harbor
traffic, it was estimated that only 40
were being operated Most of the large
towing companies and the B. & o.,
Central of New Jersey, Lehigh Valley e.
Delaware, Lackawanna & Hudson rail-
roads, were affected. The tugs of the
New York Central and New York, New
Haven & Hartford. were in service and
it was reported these roads had met
their employees demands.
Some OF the boat owners declared
they were prepared to grant the wage
increases sought, but that the Bene-
fetal Association of Engineers refused
to let it's members deal individually
with their employees,