Article: Labor Trouble at Grand Junction Moves to the MC Shops - 1886

Reprinted from the Detroit Free Press, May 4, 1886.

Considerable excitement was created yesterday by the news that a strike had begun at the Michigan Car Works, near the Springwells Station on the Michigan Central railroad. As usual, first reports were very much exaggerated, all the large shops in that vicinity being included.

It was stated that Sheriff Stellwagen had sworn in fifty new deputies, and that the entire police force had been called to the several police stations ready for immediate action. After investigation, it was found that but two shops - The Michigan Car Company shops and the Michigan Steel Spring Works - had been interfered with.

It seems that 125 men were laid off Saturday at the first named establishment because of lack of work, and while there are various claims set forth by the strikers as to the cause it is asserted by some that the laying off of the men is the direct cause. The strike came somewhat unexpectedly, though not wholly so. Notice that at noon the men would walk out was passed quietly among the men in the car shops during the forenoon, and at the appointed hour the action was taken.

Upward of 700 men were in the movement, and they were as orderly and quiet in their demonstration as they were unanimous. They proceeded in a body to the office of the company and demanded a variety of things, for some asked for 10 hours' wages and nine hours' work, while others asked that the men discharged Saturday be set at work again.

After developments, however, proved that no formal demand from the men as a body had been made, and that a committee was appointed to represent the strikers in presenting their demands to the employers, the strike preceding the demand. The strikers went entirely through the vast institution and received accessions in the different departments, which were soon emptied.

When the strikers entered the engine room to compel the engineer to shut down he refused to accede to their demand and was attacked. He turned hot steam on them and was struck on the head with a brick, laying open his scalp.

The Steel and Spring Works Visited

The strikers marched in a body to the Detroit Steel and Spring Works, where they arrived at 2:10 o'clock. They began shouting and rushed into the establishment. The men were told to quit and were not allowed to finish what they were at. The belts were thrown from the fly wheels and the engine stopped. Steel was pulled out of the furnaces and all ordered out, which was complied with.

The strikers were very determined but offered no violence. When the melting department was reached the foreman, John Brookfield, held the fort and succeeded in keeping the shop in operation. He said if any of the strikers interfered with him he would give them a warm reception, and his looks indicated that he meant what he said.

Movements of the Strikers

The Detroit Stave and Heading Works, southwest corner of Clark avenue and the Michigan Central railroad was next visited and the men compelled to leave.

Word of the moving of strikers was received by a number of institutions in the vicinity, which were closed down for the day for the prevention of trouble.

At the Michigan Central Car Shops

Word was telephoned to the MC car shops that the strikers were on the way to that institution to compel the men to quit work. Superintendent Miller wisely decided to prevent trouble and immediately ordered the blowing of the whistle which is used as a signal for the men to quit work.

The employees, who numbered about 400 in the different departments, were taken by surprise and looked wonderingly at each other. They quietly dropped their tools and taking their coats and dinner baskets walked out. They did not know what was up and most of them scattered for their homes without stopping to ascertain the cause for the abrupt termination of work. 

All the doors of the shop were quickly locked and the premises deserted by all accept Assistant General Superintendent Miller, the foreman and a squad of men who were retained in the round house to protect the premises.

The strikers to the number of about 500 were shortly after seen coming towards the shops. They were shouting and yelling and after reaching Livernois avenue - the boundary line of the [Detroit] annexed district - they drew up in front of the shops and demanded that they be closed. The crowd was composed mostly of foreign laborers, many of whom carried sticks, stones, etc. When they found the shops as quiet as on Sundays they were disappointed. 

At first they believed that the men had gone on a strike, but when they afterward learned that this was no the case and that they had been dismissed for the remainder of the day, seemingly to avoid trouble, the strikers gave vent to more yells.

The wooden gate leading into the shop yards was closed, although not fastened. The strikers crowded in, and were first met by Foreman D.D. Robinson, who told the committee at the head of the crowd that the men had gone home and warned them not to enter the premises. Superintendent Miller was addressed by P.J. Claire, spokesman of the committee.

"What do you want here and what is your business?", asked Mr. Miller.

"We want to see if your men are satisfied to work eight or nine hours."

"Our men have made no complaints to the company. They appear to be satisfied with their hours and wages, and have made no demands on us whatever."

The spokesman did not appear to be satisfied with this statement, and squaring himself up before Supt. Miller said: "Eight hours is a legal day's work in the city, and we must have it here."

"We are not in the city," answered the Superintendent, "and employ our men according to our own judgment. Supposed the men go to work in the morning what action will you take?"

"We will not interfere if they are satisfied," answered the spokesman, who then insisted on going through the shops with the committee and foremen to satisfy themselves that no men were at work. When they found this to be a fact they returned to the strikers, who yelled again and marched off.

Superintendent Miller was interviewed by a reporter of the Free Press. He said: "The matter was wholly unexpected by us. Our men said nothing about any strike, and we did not anticipate the visit of the unwelcome guests.

George Comstock, a train master, was the first to send us word of the approach of the strikers. I ordered the whistle blown as I did not desire to have any trouble in the shops. I had heard that the strikers had used violence in other places. If it came to a disturbance our men would defend themselves, as they are not of the kind who would allow themselves to be interfered with. But then there would be great danger of damage being done to the shops. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, as the saying is, and I deemed it to be the proper thing to close up the shops before anything occurred."

"Have you conferred with the officials of the company relative to the trouble?"

"Yes sir: I sent a telegram to General Manager Ledyard and General Superintendent Brown, both of who are in Chicago, advising them of what had occurred, and asking for instructions."

At this point, a clerk handed Mr. Miller a telegraph, which he had just received. After perusing it the Superintendent handed the dispatch to the reporter. It read as follows:

The Shops Ordered Closed

"Close the shops and put on sufficient force to protect the property. Confer with Ashley Pond with regard to protection from authorities." E.C. Brown, General Superintendent.

"I have written a letter to Sheriff Stellwagen asking him to furnish officers to protect us, but as yet have received no reply from him. I will immediately confer with Mr. Pond and shall do all in my power to prevent trouble at our shops, which outsiders are attempting to make."

"Will the shops be reopened in the morning?"

"I cannot say definitely, but I will keep them closed if there are any signs of trouble. We will not tolerate any interference and shall look to the law for protection."

Last night the shops were closely guarded by workmen who refused admission to strangers in the yards and were stationed so as to thoroughly cover all points.

The Police Called Out

The strikers then marched to the railroad track and went in the direction of the Detroit Bridge & Iron Works and the establishment of the Griffin Car Wheel Company, both of which are located at the corner of Foundry street and the Michigan Central railroad. Their numbers had decreased considerably, but noise enough was made for a regiment. On the way two lumber yards were visited and a small number of men in each forced to quit work.

When the strikers reached the Bridge & Iron Works thy were greeted by a dozen policemen who came in the Western District patrol wagon, and were in charge of Captain Myler of the Trumbell Avenue Precinct. The appearance of the officers put a damper on the strikers, who did not deny that they intended to invade the two establishments and compel the men to join the strike.

When they found that their plans had been frustrated by the police they lingered around the institutions uttering threats and then disbursed. The police remained until about 5 o'clock, when they drove back to the station. A number of officers were detailed for duty at the two works. Police Commissioner William C. Colburn is Secretary and Treasurer of the Bridge and Iron Works.

Fears of Trouble Today

There are fears of trouble this morning in the various institutions in the west end, especially those in the vicinity of the Michigan Car Company's works, in which the men are not on a strike. It was reported last night that an open air mass meeting would be held at 6 o'clock this morning to decide whether or not to allow non-striking men to go to work.

Will Protect Their Men

Harrie R. Newberry, Secretary and Treasurer of the Detroit Steel and Spring Works was interviewed last night and said that he had made arrangements to have fifteen policemen at the works early this morning for the protection of employees in case they are interfered with while attempting to go to work. "I have told our men," he said, "that they need not fear being attacked and that we would stand by them."

"Is there any trouble in your establishment?"

"None in the least. We are running night and day. One squad goes to work at 3 p.m. and is relieved at 3 a.m. by another. Our hands are satisfied with their hours and pay, which is regulated by the Amalgamated Association at Pittsburgh. They work by the piece and tonnage."

The Sheriff Asked for Help

At 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon a telephonic message was received at the Sheriff's office from Division Superintendent David S. Sutherland of the Michigan Central, saying that the strikers were marching toward the shops, and asked that officers be sent out at once to protect their property. Office Deputy Trainer received the message but as Sheriff Steilwagen was not in, he did not wish to assume the authority of sending out any deputies. No deputies had put in an appearance at the works up to 8 o'clock.

A force will go out at 6:30 o'clock this morning to report for duty at the shops.

Next Day - All is Quiet at the Junction

If there was any fear of riotous demonstrations in the vicinity of Springwells Junction, it was very quickly dispelled early yesterday morning, when Capt. W.H. Myler, Sgt. Britten and Roundsman  Cuddy put in an appearance there about 6 o'clock with a squad of fifty patrolmen, including the day force, the relief and sanitary squads.

At the time where were perhaps 500 strikers in front of the Michigan Car Works and at the corner of Michigan avenue and Indian avenue where the Detroit Steel Spring Works are located. The strikers were quiet and seemed to be curios as to how many men would try and return to work.

Match Factory Strike

The sixteen dippers at the Diamond Match Factory struck yesterday. It is understood they desire a raise of wages. They are now getting $1.30 to $1.40 per day. The most serious thing about this strike is that in consequence of the nature of their work of the "dippers" the 85 men and 130 girls employed in the factory are thrown out of employment. [DFP-1886-0505]

Strikers Begin to Return

A number of shops resumed work yesterday, but the great bulk of strikers are still out. Not more than 600 out of several thousand were at work yesterday. The Pullman Car Works ran with 100 men; the Michigan with about the same number. Fifty presented themselves at the Peninsular, but it was thought useless to start with so small a number, and they returned home. The 75 men at the Star tannery, 135 at Baugh's Steam Forge and those at the Detroit Lubricator works are still out.

The only works which have really resumed operations are the Blue Line repair shops. The men there have been promised nine hours if the Michigan strikers succeed. 

At the Michigan Works, one elderly German who was at the works said he was afraid to remain, fearing injury on his way home. President Hecker said: "I will walk home with you".

"Dat ish all right," replied the man, "but den you don't stay mit me when I gets home."

When the men went to work in the morning there was a large crowd about the works, and the "blacksliders" going to work were plentifully fired at and pelted with stones. A heavy force of police was present. The strikers crowded so closely about some of the gates that several of the officers were obliged to show revolvers in order to get in, but nothing worse occurred. 

The strikes generally subsided over the next few days.

Unpublished.