THE BAY VIEW TRAGEDY:

TAKING A STAND FOR THE EIGHT HOUR WORK DAY AND HOW IT SHAPED THE

LABOR MOVEMENT IN AMERICA

Kent P. Manion

Junior Division

Research Paper

2212 words

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There is a monument at the corner of South Superior Street and East Russell Avenue. It

stands in a peaceful park in Bay View, Wisconsin and calls us to remember the turmoil,

suppression, bloodshed, pain and perseverance of laborers in America.

The late 1800’s was the era of big business in America. It was a time of rapid industrial

growth and fights for domination by large industrial corporations.1 This resulted in

monopolization, price-fixing and wage-fixing. Industrial companies needed workers in their

factories so they hired Americans and also hired contractors to go to poor areas of other countries

such as Poland, Germany and Italy to import laborers with promises of good wages and a good

life.2 The immigrants had dreams of becoming American citizens and enjoying the “American

Standard of Living”.3 However, these immigrants arrived and found that their contracts, working

conditions and living conditions were oppressive and poor. Contractors were being paid fifty

cents per day per imported immigrant worker, which suggested that the immigrant workers were

paid even less than that. Many of them were living in very crowded shelters housing eight to

twelve people in small rooms measuring eight feet by twelve feet.4 Working conditions were

unsafe resulting in the deaths of thousands of laborers and laborers worked ten to twelve hour

days six days per week.5

1 Pyx, Stephen, Milwaukee’s Fight for the Eight Hour Workday, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QQ5f2ChJ9l 2 Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, New York, NY, Pages 66-69 3 Professor Emeritus, Gordon, Michael, Professor of History University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Personal Interview 4 Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, New York, NY, Pages 66-69 5 Professor Emeritus, Gordon, Michael, Professor of History University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Personal Interview

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As time went on tensions grew because the laboring class was desperate for change and

improvement in working conditions.6 The eight hour work day became a common goal for the

working class.7 Efforts had been made in Wisconsin to limit the work day to eight hours by

passing legislation to accommodate this but it was not effective. Laborers learned that they must

come together and take a stand to try to help themselves because the law did not.8

The period was a time of extensive growth in individual trade unions in Milwaukee and

other cities because along with the progress and success of industry came the increased need for

skilled labor. Skilled labor was at a shortage so trade unions such as the Coal Heavers, Tanners

and Curriers, Brewery Workers, Shoemakers, Butchers, Flour Barrel Coopers, Tight Barrel

Coopers, Steelworkers and others grew stronger in Milwaukee.9 It was also a time in which

laborers were grouping together throughout the country, some through a national labor

organization called the Knights of Labor.10 Involvement in unions was often risky. Union-busters

with spies and strike breakers such as the Pinkerton Agency were hired by corporations to break

up unions, condemn labor leaders and deliberately create violence to undermine the labor

movement.11

6 Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, New York, NY, Pages 66-69 7 Ozanne, Robert W., The Labor Movement In Wisconsin, The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, Page 6 8 Ozanne, Robert W., The Labor Movement In Wisconsin, The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, Page 7 9 Ozanne, Robert W., The Labor Movement In Wisconsin, The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, Page 7-8 10 Ozanne, Robert W., The Labor Movement In Wisconsin, The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, Page 7-8 11 Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, New York, NY, Page 68

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This was not the only challenge for laborers. Wealthy bankers and industrialists donated

large amounts of money to political parties, churches and colleges. Their generous gifts led to

collaboration between the corporations and these organizations. These groups supported the

trusts the big businesses formed. Pastors preached that trusts were favorable and in line with

God’s laws. Professors suggested that violence against organized laborers was unavoidable.12

The working class and immigrants were also victims of negative representation by the

media, especially when they were striking or speaking out for better conditions such as the eight

hour work day. They were described by journalists as “brutal creatures” and “European scum”

and portrayed as having rabid extremist ideas. Violent threats against the working class were

frequently published in newspapers. Union members were ridiculed, persecuted and blacklisted.

Involvement in organized labor was accompanied by great risk to the workers’ safety, reputation

and employment.13

This turmoil and poor treatment created restlessness and energy among the laborers in

Milwaukee and in the nation. These feelings sparked a growing movement within the country to

stand up together against these injustices.14 The Knights of Labor was growing since its founding

in 1869. It was the first important national labor organization in America. It supported a national

goal for unions to secure an eight hour work day by May 1st, 1886. The New York Times

declared the movement “un-American” and stated that “labor disturbances are brought about by

12 Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, New York, NY, Page 69 13 Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, New York, NY, Pages 69-72 14 Ozanne , Robert W., The Labor Movement In Wisconsin, Page 8

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foreigners”.15 Nevertheless this movement prompted the first general labor strike in the history of

the city of Milwaukee.16 The massacre that followed is often referred to as the Bay View

Tragedy.

By May 1st, 1886 7,000-15,000 Milwaukee area laborers including carpenters, railroad

and brewery workers, broommakers, cigar makers, shop tailors, clothing cutters and others were

on strike in Milwaukee in pursuit of the establishment of the eight hour work day.17

“We mean to make things over; We’re tired of toil for nought; But bare enough to

live on; Never an hour for thought; We want to feel the sunshine; We want to

smell the flowers; We’re sure that God has willed it; And we mean to have eight

hours; We’re summoning our forces from shipyard, shop and mill; Eight hours for

work, eight hours for rest; Eight hours for what we will!”18

On May 2nd a big labor parade and picnic took place in Milwaukee. It proceeded without

violence. Marchers enjoyed bratwursts and beer along with multiple impassioned speeches.19

“Why should labor fill the world with wealth and live in want? Every labor saving

machine should help the whole world. Everyone should shorten the hours of labor. Reasonable

15 Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, New York, NY, Page 88 16 Paul, Barbara & Justus, The Badger State, William B. Erdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, Pages 344-346 17 Paul, Barbara & Justus, The Badger State, William B. Erdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, Pages 345-346 18 Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, New York, NY, Page 88 19 Pyx, Stephen, Milwaukee’s Fight for the Eight Hour Workday, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QQ5f2ChJ9l

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labor is a source of joy. To work for wife and child, to toil for those you love is happiness,

provided you can make them happy. But to work like a slave, to see your wife and children in

rags, to sit at a table where food is coarse and scarce, to rise at four in the morning to work all

day and throw your tired bones on your miserable bed at night, to live without leisure, without

rest, without making those you love comfortable and happy, this is not living, it is dying, a slow,

lingering crucifixion.”20

On May 3rd some striking workers marched to the Reliance Iron Works factory in

Milwaukee expecting laborers there to quit working and join them. However the workers there

did not join them but instead grabbed hoses and pushed the marchers back by spraying them with

water. The police came and started hitting the strikers with clubs and they dispersed.21

The city was frightened. Governor Jeremiah Rusk was called in from Madison and

several troops of militia were notified that they may be needed. The next day the Haymarket Riot

occurred in Chicago and in Milwaukee about 1,000 strikers marched to the Milwaukee Iron

Company rolling mill in Bay View. As tension escalated, a train of local Polish militia arrived,

further increasing the unrest with the strikers, many of whom were Polish as well. The militia

fired shots into the air and the crowd disbanded. However, the militia camped at Bay View that

night and were given orders to “shoot to kill” if the strikers marched again.22

20 Union Pacific Employees’ Magazine, Volume 1 21 Paul, Barbara & Justus, The Badger State, William B. Erdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, Pages 345-346 22 Paul, Barbara & Justus, The Badger State, William B. Erdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, Pages 345-346

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On May 5th about 1,500 laborers and onlookers went back to the Milwaukee Iron

Company rolling mill in Bay View.23 Observers reported that they appeared to be unarmed with

the exception of a few marchers who were holding sticks and stones. As they approached within

about a quarter of a mile of the mill, Major Traeumer, the leader of the militia who were

stationed on a hill in front of the mill ordered them to stop and also used hand signals to tell them

to halt. The striking workers kept pushing forward and when within 200 yards or more of the

mill were again ordered and signaled to stop. From that distance they did not appear to hear the

commands or heed the hand signals and when they didn’t stop the militia fired into the crowd of

protestors. The crowd fell to the ground and retreated taking some wounded with them.24 Seven

people were killed and the momentum of the eight hour work day movement was gone.25

“Peace has arrived in Bay View. One person said ‘the backbone is broke.’ The troops had

been unmolested. The Governor came along with the Light Horse Brigade. The troops, along

with Major Traeumer, presented arms. The Governor praised them for their conduct.”26

At the time of this event in history, the abandonment of the eight hour work day quest

was an immediate effect of the tragedy that had occurred.27 The militia troops were found to be

blameless by the coroner’s jury.28 Many of the leaders were arrested and imprisoned.29 The

unions had trouble staying active because of the bad publicity associated with the Bay View

23 Wisconsin Historical Society Website; 24 Nesbit, Robert C., The History of Wisconsin, The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, Pages 402-404 25 Wisconsin Historical Society Website; 26 Kreilein, Sylvester L., Der Herold, (A German Newspaper),May 7, 1886, Wauwatosa, WI 27 Germanson, Kenneth, President Emeritus, Wisconsin Labor History Society, Personal Interview 28 Coroners Jury Report 29 Nesbit, Robert C., The History of Wisconsin, The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, Page 410

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Tragedy in Milwaukee. This was further exacerbated by demonstrations and tragedy in other

cities such as the bombing that occurred at the Haymarket Riot in Chicago. This continued on

through the 1890’s.30

As a result of the Bay View Tragedy the workers realized that they should try to gain

power in the political arena to try to get better laws passed which would make their work life

better.31 They continued to share goals of shorter hours, better wages and safer working

conditions for not just union workers but for all workers and their families. As a result, the

People’s Party was formed that year. In the fall elections of 1886 in Wisconsin, the People’s

Party won the congressional seat for Milwaukee. They also won most of the Milwaukee County

offices, a state assembly seat and six out of twelve assembly seats for Milwaukee County.

Finally, they won the county sheriff seat. These were encouraging victories amidst the setbacks

of the Bay View Tragedy that year.32

In the long term, the legacy of the Bay View Tragedy is far bigger. It inspired the

workers to realize that they should organize and become stronger by being in a larger and more

united group through which they could exhibit solidarity.33 In 1886 the American Federation of

Labor (AFL) was formed.34 This was a federation composed of skilled laborers such as the

masons, cigar makers and hat makers and it began to grow in the years that followed.35 Because

30 Professor Emeritus, Gordon, Michael, Professor of History University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Personal Interview 31 Professor Emeritus, Gordon, Michael, Professor of History University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Personal Interview 32 Nesbit, Robert C., The History of Wisconsin, The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, Page 410 33 Germanson, Kenneth, President Emeritus, Wisconsin Labor History Society, Personal Interview 34 Encyclopedia Britannica, online 35 USHistory.org, 37d. American Federation of Labor

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the members were skilled laborers, they had some bargaining power when negotiating with

employers because the employers needed their skills in order to run their businesses. In 1936 the

Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was established and represented industrial workers

such as steel and auto workers.36 The two organizations merged in 1955 to create the American

Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). This is the longest

standing and most influential labor organization in the history of the United States. It is still in

existence today.37

As laborers progressed in their ability to organize, they gained the strength and power

needed to make change and improve the lives of workers.38 In 1890 the eight hour work day was

passed for the carpenters and this was eventually followed by the Fair Labor Standards Act in

1938, which established the first minimum wage and the 40 hour work week.39 The eight hour

work day was finally a reality for American laborers.

The organized labor federations which evolved after the Bay View Tragedy secured

many other rights and needs for American workers as well. In 1898 the Erdmen Act prohibited

discrimination against union members. In 1900 the United States Industrial Union declared trade

unions to be good for democracy. In 1912 the Department of Labor was formed to promote the

welfare, benefits and rights of workers in the United States.40 In 1911 Wisconsin secured the first

36 Professor Emeritus, Gordon, Michael, Professor of History University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Personal Interview 37 Encyclopedia Britannica, online 38 Germanson, Kenneth, President Emeritus, Wisconsin Labor History Society, Personal Interview 39 AFL-CIO, Labor History Timeline 40 UNITED STATRES DEPT OF LABOR, Frequently Asked Questions, http://webapps.dot.gov/dolfaq/go-dol-faq-asp?faqid=478

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constitutional statute for Workers’ Compensation.41 This was followed in 1916 with the Federal

Employees’ Compensation Act which provided wage replacement and medical benefits to

employees injured while working.42 In 1935 the Social Security Act was passed to help ensure

workers would have a continuing income to sustain themselves after retirement. In 1970 the

Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed to help keep work environments safe and protect

workers from injury in the work place. It also focused on keeping workers healthy.43 These are

only a few of the many groundbreaking accomplishments that were steeped in the courage,

bloodshed and vision of the laborers in the Bay View Tragedy.

The legacy of the workers who took a stand in the Bay View Tragedy is intimately

intertwined in the daily existence of working men and women of today and in the lives of their

families. Their courageous efforts helped labor leaders learn how to move forward more

effectively. They influenced them to form a larger more united group of workers. This ultimately

led to the formation of the American Federation of Laborers-Congress of Industrial

Organizations. This organization has empowered laborers to work together to secure legislation

to promote fair wages, more humane working hours, safer and healthier work environments,

retirement income, insurance for job related injuries and many other benefits. It continues to be

the driving force in guiding laborers to fight for and establish laws to protect workers in

America. 44 The workers who took a stand at the Bay View Tragedy in 1886 inspired laborers to

persevere, organize and succeed. This legacy of organized labor is fundamental and essential to

41 LEXIS NEXIS, Alan Pierce, Workers’ Compensation in the United States: The First 100 Years 42 Nordlund, Willis J, The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act; Monthly Labor Review September 1991, Bureau of Labor Statistics 43 AFL-CIO, Labor History Timeline 44 Professor Emeritus, Gordon, Michael, Professor of History University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Personal Interview

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the many policies now established and being established which protect the American laborers of

today.

“The Labor Movement was the Principal Force that Transformed Misery and Despair into Hope

and Progress”-Dr. Martin Luther King

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Appendix 1

Map of the Bay View rolling mills location in Bay View. From Bay View Compass.com

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Appendix 2

The Bay View Rolling Mills. From Bay View Compass.com

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Appendix 3

Drawing of The Bay View rolling mills. From Bay View Compass.com

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Appendix 4

Bay View Tragedy Monument on South Superior Street and East Russell Avenue in Bay View,

Wisconsin. From Wisconsin Historical Markers.com

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ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Primary Sources

Bay View Rolling Mills. N.d. Wisconsin Historical Society, Bay View Milwaukee.

This gave me a greater understanding of the strike setting.

Chapter 103 Employment Regulations, 1-38 (2017) (enacted). Print.

Demonstrated the many different labor laws in effect today to help and protect laborers.

Der Herold 1 May 1886

A German newspaper that gave an account of what was happening with different unions

and strikes in Milwaukee on May 1st.

Der Herold 3 May 1886

Gave detailed accounts of what was happening with the different strikes in Milwaukee on

May 3rd.

Der Herold 4 May 1886

Gave an account of what was happening in Milwaukee with the strikes on May 4th..

Der Herold 5 May 1886

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Gave accounts of what was happening in Milwaukee on May 5th with the eight hour day

strikes.

Der Herold 6 May 1886

Gave accounts of what was happening in Milwaukee on May 6th in the aftermath of the

massacre.

Der Herold 7 May 1886

Gave account of what was happening in Milwaukee on May 7th in the aftermath of the

massacre.

Der Herold 8 May 1886

Gave accounts of what was happening in Milwaukee on May 8th in the aftermath of the

massacre.

"United States Department of Labor: Frequently Asked Questions." United States Department of

Labor: Frequently Asked Questions. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2017.

Gave a great over view of what the department of labor dose for the workers of America.

Fricke, Charles. Inquisition. 8 May 1886. Corners jury report. Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

This showed that the militia troops and their leader were held blameless in the shooting.

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Fricke, Charles. Subpoena. 7 May 1886. Subpoena from the Milwaukee County Coroner.

Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

This was an order for some of the involved men to appear in court.

Hinton, John W. Workingmen and the Tariff. Wisconsin, Milwaukee. 31 Jan. 1880. Address.

This is an article about the tariff that was being considered on immigrant workers.

http://wisconsinhistoricalmarkers.blogspot.com/2012/10/marker-275-bay-views-rolling-mill.html

A picture of the monument.

"Labor History Timeline." AFL-CIO. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2017.

This gave a great overview of the historical events of the labor movements starting in the1600’s

and progressing through time to the 21 century.

"Milwaukee Iron Company." Milwaukee Iron Company : The Bay View Compass. N.p., n.d.

Web. 10 Feb. 2017.

Gives a good sense of how the now torn down mill looked in the 1880’s and its location

within the city.

"The Federal Employees" Compensation Act." Rev. of Monthly Labor Review. (n.d.): n. pag.

Print.

I learned a lot about workers’ compensation and how it came to be.

WIS STAT 275.01, 35 (1957 and 1967) (enacted). Print.

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This showed the law that granted one day of rest in every 7.

PERSONAL COMMUNACATIONS

Germanson, Kenneth. Telephone Interview. 6 February 2017 and 1 March 2017

Mr. Germanson is Professor Emeritus for the Wisconsin Labor History Society and has been a

labor leader and longtime advocate for workers’ rights.

Gordon, Michael. Telephone Interview. 6 February 2017 and 1 March 2017

Dr. Gordon is a Professor Emeritus of History at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with

research interests in the history of American labor.

SECONDARY SOURCES

"Bay View Tragedy." Wisconsin Labor History Society. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

Gives a really good overview about the Bay View Massacre it also has many primary

sources including the newspaper on May 5th.

Boyer, Richard Owen, and Herbert M. Morais. Labor's Untold Story. New York: United

Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America, 1972.

This described the details of the eight hour day goal, the risks that the strikers took by

being involved and the terrible conditions for the workers.

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Milwaukee Notebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.

Tells about the story gives some facts and also has 7 primary sources.

"Workers' Compensation in the United States: He First 100 Years." N.p., n.d. Web.

This taught me about workers compensation and how it evolved.

Ozanne, Robert W. The Labor Movement in Wisconsin: A History. Madison, WI: State

Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1984.

This decribed the history of unions in Wisconsin as well as many facts about the Bay

View Tragedy events and the 8 hour day movement.

Paul, Justus F., and Barbara Dotts. Paul. The Badger State: A Documentary History of

Wisconsin. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979.

This described the first 5 days of May 1886 in detail.

"1886: The Bay View Massacre." Libcom.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.

Tells about the story and how it happened and also breaks it down into sections of what

happened on each of the different days.

Thompson, William Fletcher. The History of Wisconsin. Madison: State Historical Society of

Wisconsin, 1985. Print.

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This book gave a good overview of unions in Wisconsin and the events of the Bay View

Tragedy and the immediate effects. It also had some great pictures of Milwaukee during

the 1880’s.

"American Federation of Labor." N.p., n.d. Web.

This helped explained the American federation of labors structure and philosophy.

"Wisconsin Historical Society." Wisconsin Historical Society. Web. 20 Dec. 2016.

A really good source looking at the Bay View Massacre 126 years after it happened.

Wisconsin - Links To The Past Genealogy. Web. 19 Dec. 2016.

This source first goes through an overview then goes through day by day and has

multiple primary sources.