Western cyclone., 1886-05-13
THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE.
Mayor Francis of ST. Louis Examined
as to the Strike.

st. Louis dispatch: The congressional
investigating committee heard business men
Of this city to-day as to the effect OF the
strike upon business of the city and the
country to it. The most important testi-
mony OF the day was by Mayor Francis,
who, after agreeing with the half dozen gen
tlemen who preceded him, that the business
Of this city had suffered losses, both direct
and consequential, which would amount to
millions of dollars, went on to state that
the strike occurred on the 9th of March
without a word Of warning, and to the sur
prise of himself with many others. Pros
poets for an increased spring trade were ex-
cellent prior to the strike, but an almost
complete paralyzation of the commerce Of
this city resulted from the strike. This
state OF affairs existed for about twenty
days subsequent to the date OF the strike
The railway people were afforded ample
police protection when they asked for it,
Upon the 23d day Of March the railway peo-
pie informed him that they would resume
business and asked for guard Of police,
which was furnished. However, after con-
siderable trouble the attempt to get out
train was abandoned. The next day, how
tver, 100 policemen were sent to the yards
and freight train was run out No great
amount Of disturbance had occurred, and
at no time was there any demonstration of
lawlessness which the police force were un-
able to control. The peace OF the city had
never been endangered. After the breaking
of the blockade the railroad people had
gradually resumed business. When asked
if the railway people were protected in their
property and rights between the 9th and
oath of March he replied that he was not
asked for police protection until the 23d,
and when asked il he furnished it promptly
replied that he had and that the company
could have had the same protection any
day alter the strike had they seen fit to
ask it. Mayor Francis took occasion to
vigorously denOunce the publication to the
effect that he had furnished Winchesters to
deputy marshals of the Louisville & Nash
vile road in East Louis, with which they
had done the fatal shooting Of April 9. as
unqualiiedly false. When asked why it
was that for eighteen days no trains were
run, he again answered that all protection
asked for was furnished, and that no
reason existed why that same protection
could not have been furnished at any time.
j. M. Mcmillan Of the Missouri Car and
Foundry company was the next witness.
He stated that for eighteen days after the
strike he was Obliged to close his works,
throwing 1000 men out OF employment.
( His testimony mainly related to the strike
afterward which his own men entered upon
because of his refusal to break his contract
with the Missouri Pacific and cease supply
ing them with small repairs. He COM
planned bitterly OF the interferenCes in his
business by an outside committee, who
had made these demands upon him, and
upon his refusal to treat with them
ordered his men out. He declared he
would not now take his men back in
body, but would receive individual ap-
plications only. He would not discriminate
against the Knights OF Labor, but would
not hire any agtator or any leaders OF the
present strike all Of whom are uhlawfully
engaged in persuading and intimid ting his
present employees, and who make incen-
diary speeches to the men He stated that
one Mr. Barry Of the Knights OF Labor had
addressed the men in a very incendiary
manner.