Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-08-24
OUT OF WORK.
A Congress at New York to Com
sidor the Unemployed.
A DESIRE 10 OBEY THE LAWS.
brutality Of Policemen Denounosd-Pre-
jeoted Demonstration Postponed
Desire Expressed for
Public Work.

NEw YoRK, Aug. 9i.-The first con-
gress of the delegates from the various
trades unions OF New York TO take
action ON the existing condition OF af-
fairs in the labor world, and TO devise
means Of assisting the unemployed and
to formulate plans for great labor
demonstration, was held at 257 East
Tenth street yesterday afternoon. After
four hours of discussion, some Of IL
lively, resolutions were passed and
committees appointed with a view Of
Improving the condition OF those rep
resented.
About 100 delegates were present and
most Of them had something TO say.
One or two persons advanced socialistic
IDEAS but they were promptly sat upon.
The general tone OF the remarks made
were on the line OF GOODNESS and pru-
dence. The large majority Of the
speakers counseled obedience TO the
laws and confidence In the laws and
government President Gompers, Of
Federation Of Labor, acted as tempo
rary chairman and opened the meeting
by remarlsing upon tho situation. Then
Robert NJ. Campbell, of Typographical
union No. ., was elected permanent
chairman, and these resolutions were
adopted;
| Resolved, That . COMMITTEES be appointed TO
ask all the labor organizations and sympnthfE
srs TO cooperate with the conference and assist
In dovising means To assist the unemployed
Resolved, Thata committee be appointed 10
walt upon tho mayor ana other ofncials Of thih
city and this state with the view Of starting aud
opening up work 70 tho end mat new employ
mont he furnished tho unemployed. And DO ~
| furthermore
Resolved, That the committee be delegated
10 call upon the civil justices and ask that ovio-
lions Of unemployed workmen for non.paymsnt
OF rent be postponed during tho orisia
Another resolution passed was TO the
effect that u committee he appointed
TO draw up an address TO the public
explaining the position OF the confer
ence and Its reasons for Its action In
this matter. President Gompers said
crisis had been reached. But one
thing, he said, could remedy the evil,
and that was the voice and action of
organized labor. One cause OF the
trouble was said to be over-production
caused by the introduction OF machin-
cry and the use of steam and electricity
In manufacturing The labor unions
have endeavored TO keep pace
with this state Of affairs by trying TO
reduce the hours Of labor but have not
been very successful. He said the
blame rested with the wealthy classes.
1.-THE main thing TO do" said he, sis TO
devise means 10 force these people 10
provide means by which the manhood
and womanhood OF this country may
be maintained"
The speaker counseled prudence.
Have we anything TO gain by break
ing the laws2' he asked. and there
were loud cries OF mo, no"
II was explained that the conference
was caused because there was gen
eral lack OF cohesion among the work.
ingmen OF the city.
81 refrain from denounoing any one"
said Mr.. Gompers but the city and
state and national governments must
come TO the aid Of tho worlingmen of
this country"
The Inauguration OF public improve
nents as means OF furnishing work
for the unemployed was advocated II
was suggested that this city inaugurate
the building OF n system Of rapid transit,
improve It's streets, sewers, docks, etc.
at is a fine commentary on our civili-
zatlon," said he, "when criminals can
be sent 10 prison and work found for
them while honest men walk the streets
In idleness."
, Victor Delehaye, the delegate Of the
Partisan workmen at the conference
at Boston, said the trouble was the re-
suit OF disordered production. He
described the situation In France.
D. Delegate DE Roster said he was u
, witness Of the recent trouble In Orchard
, street, and that the police were much
10 blame. lie referred 10 them ms big,
{ burly ruilians, and said they punched
: men until the public cried .'ShameV'
Delegate Davis, Of CiRar-makers' union
No. 10 said the worlsingmen did not
{ want charity, but work. 1--WE ask for
bread and they give us stone" said
he, land by and by they will give us
: bullets"
+ II was voted that the discussion Of a
: question Of demonstration be post
r poned. The meeting then adjourned
Il until this afternoon.
: Morris Klintersteln, a wealthy Ger
man, furnished meals free to Il thou
y sand unemployed people yesterday.
NJ, Circulars had been sent out notifying
!" all unemployed TO call at his place be
tween the hours Of II and o'clock and
get IA good, square meal" He will
-, continue the charity for the present