St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-09
The Workingmen of Chicago
Take a Shy at the Worlds
Fair.
They Want to Know Whether
Union Men Are to Be
Recognized.
Resolutions Declaring That
"Seab" Labor Must Not Be
Employed.
A Threat Of Withdrawal Of
100000 Of the Guaranty
Fund.

CHICAGO, Feb.S.-The organized labor
of ChicegO holly asserted itself to-day
regarding the worlds fair. 1t was at a
regular meeting of the trade and labor
assembly, body said to represent $1,000
workingmen, and one Of whose mem
bers was given seat in the worlds fair
directory in recognition of the 100000
subscribed by the wOrkingmen to the
guaranty fund of the fair. Intense in
terest was manifested in the subject.
There had been much discussion before
hand in the meetings of individual
unions, and it was generally expected
that climax would be reached to-day.
The excitement began when James
O'Connell, the president of the assem-
bly,, arose and offered the following:
Whereas, When it was first proposed to
hold worlds Columbian exposition IN chi
cago, organized labor was appealed to by the
promoters of that institution 20 assist them
i'll securing legislation and other influences
in favor of Chicago: and,
Whereas The members Of the various
trade unions and labor organizations OF chi
cago have subscribed Literally 10 Inc STOCK
of said exposition; and.
Whereas, Inducements were held out by
the promoters OF said eX position to the work
ing people of Chicago that in all work done
on the buildings OF said exposition union
labor should be recognized and have pref
erence over scab labor; and.
Whereas, the present directors OF said eX-
position indicate an intention OF refusing TO
recognize union labor but threaten to en-
ploy indiscriminately non-unlOn labor,
thereby flooding the labor market of Chicago
with the ultimate design OF destroying the
trade unions; therefore be 1t
Resolved, That we, as union men, protest
against this treacherouS action OF the direct
ors of the Worlds Columbian exposition,
and unless immediate action is taken by that
body to redeem their implied pledges given
in regard to union labor, that we shall
deem it our duty TO oppose i'll every
way any further legislation. either
municipal, state or national. in favor of said
worlds Columbian exposition, and we mere
by recommend all workingmen who have
subscribed for said stock to decline to pay
any further assessments until proper aSsur-
ances are given by the directors that said i'm
piled plans will be kept Land be it further
Resolved, That unless satisfactory assur-
ances are given by the directors that their
indicated action will be changed we shall
everybody of organized labor throughout the
country TO assist us in making our protest
emphatic.
Ia an instant dozen men were on
the floor. and peppery speeches contain
ing some pointed personalities followed.
One speaker concluded Win tne aSSer-
ton: ',rhere is no doubt but that it is
the intention OF the directory to kill or
ganized labor" Mr.. O'Connell here
Jumped up and shouted: I'VE will
make the directory put regiment of
soldiers around their grounds If they
employ scab labor. The day has passed
when organized labor can be ignored in
great public enterprise of this kind"
This was received with cheers and
loud cries of ''that's right" The res
Olution was carried without opposition.
Mr.. O'Connell said that committee
had been appointed by the Central
Labor union and another by the carpen-
ter's council to take steps i'll this mat
ter, and he moved that committee OF
three be appointed to act Ill conjunction
| with the other committees. p. }. Minis
ter, L. J. Morgan and James Mackin
| were appointed. These committees, it
understood, will wait Oh the mayor, pos
sibly tomorrow or Tuesday, and ask
him to issue manifesto showing the
| number and condition of the laboring
men of Chicago. They will also go be-
fore the worlds fair directory with the
above resolution, and ask further that
eight hours be made days work on
the construction of the worlds fair
buildings.