Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-05-28

A Street Car Striker Says the Strike
Was Hasty.
BUTFEARS TO MAZE HIS NAME PUBLIC
He Took an Oath To stand by the Union
and win do go Whether Right
or Wrong-He Thinks the
strike Was Wrong

sOdnk hiAA oisoscA III thC oi'ASa4h
of q street ear employe stood opposite
Fulton-street Park yesterday waiting
the approach OF earryall.
"What do you think of the strike ~
he was asked by the writer.
81 think we Will win." was his reply.
"Why DO you think SOP
"Well. l understand that President
Bovine has called for Chapman's re-
signatlon. They had stormy inter-
view Monday, and | am told by the
boys that the company is about 10
weaken"
.But the report of this row is de-
nounced by the company as false ?" he
was informed.
IL shouldn't wonder If il was, for
only one paper had such a report, and
that paper is apt TO PRINT barefaced
lie in order 10 pose as the friend OF the
strikers"
"What paper do you mean?'
al mean the Morning Press. Ii de-
ceives nobody but itself when II sup
poses that It's false and lniiammatory
statements are satisfactory tolthe men.
We want the facts stated, and not the
sinister conclusions of reporters or
editors. To speak plainly, We are on
TO the Morning Press and It's motives.
If there was no money in IT for them
they would be less rigorous in our de-
fense. Workingmen can detect hypoc-
ricy in newspaper as well as in an
individual. |, for one, at least, take
no stock whatever III its championship
of our side, because | believe it is ex-
treme, unreliable, untruthful and VIM
dictive."
"Do you honestly approve this
striker he was asked.
Stands by the Union.
81 think the strike was the result of
haste. do not think the grievance
was sufficient to base a strike on. That
is my honest opinion. But / am a
union man-that is, / took an oath to
stand by the uniOn-and whether right
or wrong propose to do SO in this case.
| voted no in the meeting, but there
was a majority against me, and / agreed
to submit to the majority"
"Did the horse-car men have any
grievance?'
"None whatever. After the strike
was ordered the iron-clad contract was
made pretext for ito justify it-but
my opinion is that the cable men de-
sired to force the company to their
terms, and to do so influenced the
horse-car men to rebel against the con-
tract-and God knows 1t appears black
enough now to all of u.s."
I Up to this point the name of the
striker was unknown. He was asked
his name and address, both of which he
gave.
MAY i use your name in connection
with these statements and publish the
same?' he was asked.
Not for the world, sir. Should you
publish my name l would be driven
from town III disgrace. If not that,
then my own self-respect would impeI
me to leave. | am very sorry have
said so much to you now, and had |
known you were a newspaper reporter
| would not have done So"
He was assured that his honesty and
candOr would save his name from the
public.
Dare Not Tell the Truth.
Thus assured he continued: "The
men out on this strike dare not make
public their sentiments. They know
tiiRtt tutlC ndc iiO
cause for this strike, but dare not say 1t
and have themselves quoted III the
papers. They are forced to misrepre-
sent the true state of their feelings to
the press and then expect the press to
blindly advocate their cause. We are
union men, however, and having taken
the stand, our oaths obligate us to con-
tinue the fight. If the company will
withdraw its Objectionable clause
| against the union this matter can be
settled IN twenty minutes. The union
SAID to the company you shall not en-
ploy "scabs' and the company retorts
with the hateful clause. Both sides
should consider the rights of the other
and for the sake of honesty, good order
and public security put an end To this
difficulty"
The above repor. is as nearly verba-
tim as it is possible to make one with
out stenographic notes. II is gwen here
not to weaken or strengthen the cause
of men or company, but to show the
true feeling entertained by one of the
conductors of the horse car line. II is
not fictitious nor Is 1t a paid advertise
ment. Ii is the honest sediment of a
striker who fears, for reasons stated. 10
make hrs identity known, but it is
nevertheless genuine and authentic.