The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-08-25
OUT OF WORK.
A Congress at New York to Con-
slider the Unemployed.
A DESIRE TO OBEY THE LAWS.
Brutality of Policemen Denounced-Pro-
3ected Demonstration Postponed
A Desire Expressed for
Public Work.

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 PSI East
Tenth street yesterday afternoon. After
four hours of discussion, some of it
lively. resolutions were passed and
committees appointed with 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 socialistio
ideas, but they were promptly sat upon.
The general tone of the remarks made
We're 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 remarking upon the situation. Then
Robert NJ. Campbell, of Typographical
union No. 6, was elected permanent
chairman, and these resolutions were
adopted:
Resolved, That committee be appointed to
ask all the labor organic atoms and sympathiz-
ers 10 cooperate with the conference and assist
In devising means TO assist the unemployed
Resolved, That n committee be appointed to
wait upon the mayor and other officials of this
city and this state with the view of starting and
To no nd ha
ment be furnished the unemployed. And be 1t
furthermore
Resolved That the committee be delegated
to call upon the civil justices and ask that evic-
tions of unemployed workmen for non-payment
of rent be postponed during the crisis
Another resolution passed was to the
effect that a committee be appointed
to draw up an address to the public
explaining the position of the confer
ence and it's 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
been very successful. He said the
blame rested with the wealthy classes.
1.-THE 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 country may
be maintained"
The speaker counseled prudence.
"Have we anything to gain by break
ing the laws?" he asked, and there
were loud cries of mo, no"
1t was explained that the conference
was caused because there was gen.
eral lack of cohesion among the work
ingmen of the city.
II refrain from denouncing any one.
said Mr.. GOmrers. but the city and
state and national governments must
come to the aid of the workingmen of
this country"
The Inauguration of public improve
ments as a means of furnishing work
for the unemployed was advocated 1t
was suggested that this city inaugurate
the building of system of rapid transit,
improve it's streets. sewers, docks, etc.
sit is a fine commentary on our civili-
zation,- said he, when criminals can
be sent TO 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.
Delegate De Roster said he was a
witness of the recent trouble in Orchard
street, and that the police were much
to blame. He referred to them as big,
burly ruffians, and said they punched
men until the public cried shane"
Delegate Davis, of Cigar-nakers' union
No. - said the workingmen did not
want charity. but work. I'VE ask for
bread and they give us stone" said
he, land by and by they will give us
bullets"
1t was voted that the discussion of q
question of a demonstration be post
poned. The meeting then adjourned
until this afternoon.
Morris Klinterstein. wealthy Ger
man, furnished meals free to a thou
sand unemployed people yesterday.
Circulars had been sent out notifying
all unemployed to- call at his place be-
tween the hours of II and o'clock and
get "a good. square meal" He will
continue the charity for the present"