The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-24
presentatives Of the Various Or
ganizations Of Trainmen in
Secret Conference.
8 Status Of Affairs on tho Gem
tral the Matter Of
Concern.
y Refuse to Make Public Any of their
Proceedings Status Of the
Strike.

lrS the members OF the supreme council
The United Order Of Railway Employees
sat almost the entire day to reach con-
sion a. to whether or not they will order
Frike on the Vanderbilt lines. Promptly
10 O'Clock the council got together at the
Ire Haute house. The gentlemen COM
ing the council were Frank p. Sargent,
bident and chief Of the Brotherhood Of
|omotive Firemen; Grand Master Han
Ian, Of the same order; the general SEQ
Try and treasurer of the order; George
Howard, vice president of tho council
grand chief Of the Brotherhood Of Con-
tors; Assistant Grand Master Lovejoy, of
bame order: Grand Master wilkinson. Of
order Of Railway trainmen, with VIM.
|ehan, grand secretary and treasurer,
P. 8. Norrissey, vice grand master
imam. The other members of the
ncii are Crank Sweeney, grand master;
h Downsy, vice grand, and John Hall,
hd organizer, all Of the Switchmsn's
Fual Aid association, and j. J. Nelson.
|ejoy and Nelson took the place of the
grand officers Of the Conductors' a.
alton, who, coming from Los Angeles,
were delayed. After Chief Sargent
called tho council to order and the
routine business had been attended to,
counoil decided that the matter Of Civ
aews to the press should be placed en-
y in the hands of Sargent. It was also
|ned best not to give out any Of the de-
rations until the council came to Anal
purnment. The morning session lasted
u II O'Clock, when the council adjourned
lunch. To all inquiries Sargent had
stereotyped reply az indicated, that no
b would be given out until all business
ended.
rgent had not finished his report to the
lcil when the dinner hopr came. OF
se. the exact wording Of his report can
|be given, but it related chiefly to what
had learned in the east con-
ing the discharge Of two switch
srted his interviews with Powderly
Hayes. He touched on his (Sargent's)
| to Webb at the request Of the latter
told Of the evasive replies given by
b to leading questions. After Sargent
Through Councillors Howard, Wilkin-
ind Sweeney made their reports. These
mp the time until O'Clock. Then q
discussion was indulged in, every men,
pf the council taking part, and it was
until after 7o'clock that the council
adjourned for supper.
associated press correspondent had
with Sargent, Debs and Hanahan at
point. Debs said plainly that it would
ter midnight before the proceedings
d be brought to close. Sargent coin
In this and also remarked that corre-
] - s~vIk
3iunday roast would have to be carved
;omehody else than the head of their
bctive families. The members of the
Toll took their time about getting to-
! 81 in the evening. They fraternized
the newspaper men and up to certain
were quite free to express themselves.
whom the pointed question, twill there
strike, or mott was put to them it was
lignal for q cessation of conversation.
the momentous question of peace or
between the federation and the Van
lit lines there are conflicting opinions.
ent's position is known. He thinks
|ierly was not treated justly by Webb.
stands in the council and before the
lie as the champion Of labor.
bs is fully in accord with Sargent.
inson, who represents the compare
newly formed organization Of railway
motors. 10 willing to bring his hosts
battle ~ array ray # war is necessary. The
Of Sargent, to question put to him.
GUS mood than the members Of the
sils were to-day. This does nat neces-
involve strike, but it is clear that if
councillors can gain their end
Recognition Of organized labor
.ut strike, they will do SO.
nevertheless, they are bold, and are
to face the music if it must be done.
ubllc need expect nothing definite to-
The council has placed in tho hands
scretary Debs written report Of the
,ers who went east to confer with Pow
There are communications, presum-
rom Powderly and other represents
OF labor interests, which were also
to Debs. These he is arranging
proper form, and when this is
the important statement to be
to the public must be formulated. In
ling of this, Sargent said tonight: |
vithin the bounds of possibility that |
by reach conclusion to- night. What
onclusion is no one outside will know
the statement is written out and |
|. We are moving carefully, We
have ourselves presented in fair |
to the public. To gain this end We |
our position stated clsarly. The
here arises naturally, why such care |
the council are in favor Of dressing |
elves in war paint and feathers, taking !
cir tomahawks and going after the
Of Vanderbilt? This is a question
one hears on every side. But specu-
is useless and not until Sargent and
onferees get good and ready" will
ing definite be known. Certain it is
ahe public will wait until Monday
its mind il relieved. At 10 o'clock
ht the Supreme Council adjourned al
". The committee will probably
session all night, and Sargent an
es to representatives of the press the
ing. He says: We have sent the fol-
message to Powderly, in New York:
supreme council has been in session
~, but no decision has yet been
d. We are now awaiting important
g. The council fully realizes our po-
and the position of your order, and
ay be assured your interests will re-
due consideration. You will be