Evening journal., 1894-07-10

Many Other Cities and Towns In Illinois
Are Terrorized by Mobs-The Pullman
Company Refuses TO Arbitrate and
General Strike Has Been Declared Of All
Labor Organizations In the City-It May
BE Delayed-Trouble In California-Debs
Says They Arc Fighting Slavery,
CHICAGO, July 1O.-Peace reigns in
Warsaw. The same cannot be said of Chi
cago, for the tread Of armed men is still
heard in hor streets, and tho wheels Of
commerce still lag at the bidding of the
American Railway union.
Nevertheless the war cloud which has
overhung this city and this land for the
past 10 days shows distinct signs of lift
ing. Instead of stories Of additional rail
roads tied up at various points through
out the country the dispatches almost
without exception bring advices Of strik-
ers returning TO work and an increased
resumption of traffic amounting in some
places TO a return to normal conditions
Monday in Chicago passed without a
serious conflict between the rioters and
the armed forces now on duty here Tho
feature of the day was the action, after
an all night session of the federated
trades unions of Chicago in deciding to
call out all classes of labor this afternoon
at O'Clock unless George NJ. Pullman
should have agreed before noon to settle
the differences between his company and
his striking employees by arbitration or
otherwise.
For reasons not known to the public
General Master Workman Sovereign of the
knights Of Labor and his advisers subse-
quently decided to postpone the general
walkout and paralytic stroke which they
proposed to iniliot upon the business of
Chicago until o'clock Wednesday morn
ing.
Gompers Coming On.
Later, however, the announcement was
made that President Samuel Gompers Of
the American Federation Of Labor had
called meeting Of the executive commit
tee of that organization to be held in this
city on Thursday, and he would leave
New York for Chicago this evening In
view Of this it is not believed chat the fed
Grated trades of Chicago will take precipi-
tate action before consultation with him
As President Gompers cannot reach Chi
cago before Wednesday, it will be impos-
sible to decide on a limo Of action to be
pursued before Thursday, and probably If
1t should b, resolved to declare q general
strike of all these combined forces it could
not be put into effect before Friday morn
ing.
In this connection the interesting uues-
tion arises whether or not, If President
Gompers allows himself to be hauled from
New York to Chicago by nonunion engi-
neers and iremen, his visit will be of any
particular profit. Ono labor leader in Chi
oago said that if he did so he might as
well stay in New York.
Another feature to be noted in connec-
tion with the meeting Of Chicago's feder-
ated labor is the fact which was developed
that there was in the meeting a large and
influential conservative clement, whose
action had practically blocked the plans
of the more hotheaded leaders until the
latter, in the excitement consequent upon
the reading of President Cleveland's proc
lamation, were enabled to stampede them
and carry the strike resolution.
Therefore there is reason to believe that
even If the order for general strike final
ly goes forth many Of those to whom it is
directed will decline to obey it, so that
with the men already made idle by the ef-
feet of the tieup, the walkout will not be
nearly SO important as anticipated by the
leaders.
Wickes Would Not ArbItrate.
What effect, if any, the action of Vice
President Wickes of the Pullman COM
pany in refusing in the most positive man
ner to even meet a committee to consider
the question of arbitration will have upon
the final decision of the labor leaders and
their followers remains to be seen.
A joint committee of the city council
and of the federal trades unions called on
Mr.. Wickes and asked him to consent to
the appointment Of committee of five
citizens whose function should be not
those of arbitration, but to determine
whether or not the Pullman company has
anything to arbitrate The committee, as
proposed, was TO consist Of two citizens
chosen by the Pullman company, two by
the circuit judges and one by those four.
Mr.. Wiokes stated at the outset that ar
bitration was impossible, but listened
while Alderman MeGillen, chairman of
the committee, talked of the gravity Of
the situation and urged that the company
take steps looking TO an amicable settle
ment Of the strike.
At the close of the interview Mr. Wickes
retired with his attorney and returning
after a brief consultation declared that
the company could not receive the pro
posed committee.
Alderman McGillen again argued that
the company receive the committee and
intimated that a corporation which derived
such benefit from the government as the
make somo concessions for the welfare Of
the city and state.
I'VE have nothing to arbitrats," Mr.
Wickcs replied. "We cannot receive such
committee. -
Last nights action of tho city council
in respect to President Cleveland order
bringing federal troops to Chicago was
forestalled by large number Of indorse-
ments of his action sent him by promi
nent business men of the city. The list
Of signatures included those Of almost ev-
cry conspicuous merchant, manufacturer
and banker Of Chicago.
The Situation Brightens.
Touching the situation in general, It
may be said that in Chicago the roads
were all doing better than on any previous
day since tho strike began. Passcnge
trains were moving with moro or less reg
ularity, and some freight traffic has been
cared for A largo number Of striking
freight handlers Of the Illinois Central re-
turned to work and other roads noted ac-