Nashville Union And American

The Gas Strike Inaugurated.

The men employed in the New York gas works at the foot of 21st street, East river, quit work at noon to-day, and forming procession marched to the Mutual Gas Light Company at the foot of 11th street, where they endeavored to induce the men there to strike. In this they were not successful, but claimed however to have assurance that the men would leave off Monday. The strikers then marched to the works of the Manhattan Company at East 14th and 1st, 17th and 18th streets. The men in these works refused to join them at present, but promise to consider the matter. The march was next to the Metropolitan works on West 42d street, but no accessions to the ranks were obtained there.

This strike was not unexpected by the gas companies, and the men had hardly walked out of the New York gas works when fifty Italians and Swiss took their places. This act stirred up the fire of the strikers and they threatened to annihilate the Italian street sweepers in the neighborhood, but with the prompt arrival of a detachment of police peace was secured. Strong details of police are stationed in and around the gas works and prevent the strikers gathering in the neighborhood, and they are kept constantly moving, and up till evening no fights had taken place.

Bunks and cooking ranges have been erected in the works where the strike occurred, so that the men have no occasion to leave the premises. The strike is for eight hours, and $3.25 per day for stokers, and $2.50 for helpers.