The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-16
AMERICAN RAILWAY UNION
Formation of Labor Organization That
Differs Radically from Others.
The Strike and Boycott TO Be Abolished
Probable walk Out" of Telegraph OPP
erators-Chicago Carpenters.

CHICAGO. April 15-The men who. for
several days. have been Iaboring on the
formation of the American Railway Union.
to-day completed the first step in the en-
terpriso. and have issned lengthy docu-
ment. setting forth the outline Of one Of
the greatest labor organizations the world
has ever seen. The union proposes to en-
list, as far as possible, all railway
employees Of every description, and
it's avowed object is the abolishment
of the strike and boycott as means of set
tling difficulties and the eradication of the
heavy taxes and dues which members of
the various organizations are now com-
PEELED to pay. IL Is claimed in the pros
pectus which has been issued that the pres
ent organizations of railway men have
never held such mutual confidence in each
other that they have been able 10 exist
without jealo ousies and antagonisms. These.
1t Is proposed to wipe out by bringing all
the men under an organization which deals
with each man individually. At the same
time the founders OF the Railway Union
claim that the new organization will. in no
sense, conflict with the existing organize
tions OF railway employees. 1t is designed
y.
of men who belong to no organization what
ever. There are TO be no secret meetings or
ballot, no grand officers and no grievance
committees. All minor difficulties be-
tween employees and corporations are to be
adjusted without strikes. but at the same
time with all regard for the rights and
best interests of the men. Besides the main
point-the regulation of labor troubles
the organization contemplates several SIDE
issues. as an employment bureau. an in
surance department. and other features. A
meeting Will be held on Monday for tie
election of officers.
The men who have formed the union are
Il. V. Debs. of the Brotherhood of Locomo.
w. S. Mlssemer. of the Brotherhood OF Car
Men: Z. w. Arnold. of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Firemen; George w. Howard,
ex-grsnd chief of the Brotherhood of Rail-
brotherhood of Railway Telegraphers;
Henry Walton, of the brotherhood OF Lo-
comotive Engineers. and W. II. Sebrins, OF
the Order of Railway Conductors.
Prospective strike or Operators
MARsHALLTowS. Ia. April ia general
walk-out of telegraph operators on the
entire Chicago ~ Northwestern system Is
expected at any hour. g. Il. Thayer.
the company's superintendent of tele-
graph, passed westward through the
State to-day over the main line.
stopping at all stations and notifying all
operators belonging to the o. r. 7. that
they must withdraw from the order at
once or quit the company's serv-
ice. This step. arbitrary and with
out apparent authority. will be most
sweeping in it's effect. as nearly
every operator in this State. at least, Is q
member OF the brotherhood, and they will
stand by it to the last man. Such is their
determination tO-night at least. 1t Is said
they were preparing new schedule. ask
ing an increase of wages. TO formally pre-
sent to the company. and that il took this
step to prevent it.