The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-08-21
Committees Appointed to Wait on the Mayor
and Other officials and Urge Them to
Furnish Work TO the Unemployed.
Prudence Counseled by President Com
pers of the Federation of Labor.
Meeting Held at Chicago and the Aid Of EN-
plOyers Invokad-Fiery Tirads from Lucy
Parsons, the Noted Anarchist


Trades Unfonists Confer tho Condition
of'Afairs in the Labor World.
NEW YORK. Aug. 2o.-The first confer
euoe of the delegates from the various
trades unions of New York to take action
on the existing condition OF affsirs In the
labor world and to devise means of assist
ing the unemployed and to formulate plans
for q great labor demonstration was held
at No. 257 East Tenth street this afternoon.
After four hours of discussion. some of 1t
lively, resolutions were passed and
committees appoin ted with view OF i'm
proving the condition of those represented.
About one hundred delegates were present.
and most of them had something 30
say. Good order prevailed. as . rule. One
or two advanced Socialist ideas. but they
were promptly sat upon. The general tone
of the remarks made were on the line of
GOODNESS and prudence. The largo major
ity of>tho speakers counseIed obedience to
the laws. and confidence in the laws and
government.
President Gompers. Of tho Federation of
Labor. acted as temporary chairman, and
opened the meeting by remarking upon the
situation. Then Robert NJ. Campbell, of
Typographical Union No. 9. was elected
permanent chairman. and these resolutions
were adopted:
ask all labor organizations and sympathizers to
cooperate with the conference, and assist in de-
vising means to assist the unemployed.
Resolved, That committee be appointed to
wait upon the Mayor and other officials OF the
city and this State, with the view OF starting
and opening mp work TO the end that new en-
llny haf fnrn shnd "a r,x,nx nxad. nd ha
IL furthermore
Resolved, That the committee be delegated to
tions Of unemployed workmen for nonpayinent @ of
rent be postponed during the crisis.
Another resolution passed was to the
effect that . committee be appointed to
draw up an address to the public ex pl aim
ing the position OF the conference and Its
reasons for its actions in this matter.
President Gomper said q crisis had been
reached. But one thing, he said. cOuld
remedy the evil, and thar was the voice
and action of organized labor. One cause
tion. caused by the introduction of ma
chinery and the use of steam and elec-
tricity in manufacturing. The labor unions
have cpdeavered to keeD pace with this
state Of affairs by tryfng TO reduce the
hours OF abor. but have not been very sue
cessful. He said the blame rested with
the wealthy GLASSES. "Ibe main thing TO
do" said he. lis to devise means to force
these people to provide means by which
the manhood and womanhood of this cOun.
try may be main tained." The speaker
counseled prudence. Have we any thing
to gain by breaking the lawsp he asked.
and there were loud cries of mo. no."
IL was explained that the conference was
called because there was q general lack of
cohesion among the workingmen of the
city. Il refrain from denouncing any one."
said Mr.. GOmpers. "but the city, and State,
and national government must come to the
aid Of the workingmen of this country"
The inauguration or public improvements
as q means of furnishing work for the un-
employed was advocated. IL was sug-
gested that this city inaugurate the build
ing of q system of rapid transit. improve
commentary on our civilization" said he,
when criminals can be sent to prison and
WORK found for them, while honest men
walk the streets in 3leness."
George +. G. Mcneil. of Boston. who IS
just beginning campaign of lecturinG in
the interest of workingmen. made o brief
address Millions of men, women and
children" he said.s "are praying Give us
this day our daily bread, ClcrRymen are
holding out promises Of bread hereafter,
but we want It now-to-day. It ls said
that one of the causes of the trouble is bad
craftsmanship. We ask for work and they
say. We will repeal the Sherman bill.'n
1t was voted that the discussion of the
question of q demonstration be postponed.
The meeting then adjourned until next
Monday afternoon, at o'clock.
Morris hliDtersteiD, o wealthy German,
furnished meals tree to-day to u thousand
unemployed people. Circulars had been
sent out notifying all unemployed to call
at his place between the hours of IL and
o'clock and get good square meal He
will continue the charity daily for the
present