The herald., 1894-12-03
BRITISH LABOR LEADERS.
John Burns, M. p, Arrives
in America.
He Is Accompanied by Two
Other M. P.'s.
A Cordial Welcome Given Them at
New York.
Mr.. Barns Speaks About the Purposes
of His visit-Trade Unieuism IL
Necessary for Human
Progrsss.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
New York. Dsc 2.-Among the pas
sengers on the Cunard steamer Etturia,
which arrived here this morning, was
John Burns, NJ. p, the great Socialist
and labor leader OF London. A dedsga.
ton from the labor organizations of New
York city met him at quarantine. The
delegation consisted of Mr.. f. F. Nc.
Sweeny, assistant commissioner Of abor
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor. Chris
Evans, secretary OF that organization.
and others.
Mr.. Burns is accompanied by two
fellow members OF parliament-Mr.
David Holmes. who represents the town
OF Burkey in Lancashire. and who ia
president OF the Weavers' association and
delegate to the conference of the
Federation of Labor. and Mr.. John
William Benn, member OF the London
county council and member OF parl!a-
ment for st. Georges, Fest. Mr.. b m
is deeply interested in temperance
affairs.
"I cannot talk fairly of American af-
fairs" said Mr.. Burns to the Associas
ated Press, "for it would take years for
me to become familiar enough with them
to do so.
81 have been watching the labor
movement in America as closely as L
could at q distance, and l have con-
cluded there must be little more OF the
milk of human kindness injscted into
labor affairs il they are to progress az l
- hap -
On the dock were gathered about 200
chesred loudly for John Burns" as he
walked down the gang plank. Then an
informal reception was rendered him,
No. 6 made brief speech OF welcome.
In responding. Mr.. Burns said it was
an agreeable coincidence that he who
had been 90 strongly identified with the
docks in England, should make his fret
speech in America on a dock. with the
rattle of trucks and the swaeh of the
waters in his eare.
The party proceeded on foot to the
Colonnade hotel, along West street. On
many of the corners were gathered
groups of dock laborers and csttlemen
who cheered for Burns as he approached,
and many of them who had come from
London greeted him with the old Cry
of the London dock strike, How are
you, John?" to which inquiry Mr..
Burns responded by stopping and ahak-
ing hands with them.
Later in the day Mr.. Burns received q
mum ber OF newspaper men and talked
for an hour. Alter relating how Mr..
Holmes and he had been selected by
the labor federation at Norwich to rep
resent that body in the American con-
ference at Denver, he said their duty
wae to convey the fluctuations of Eng
lish labor to that OF America.
OF his own visit he said he came first
to observe the condition of the labor
movement in America and in what re-
spects it differs from that in England,
and second as a member of parliament
to visit congress and get grasp OF
American political affairs.
The workings OF the labor depart
ment under Carroll ID. Wright were OF
great interest to him, and as a co-coun-
cillor, heshoped to have the opportunity
of inspecting the various municipal de-
partments Of the great cities OF America,
particularly New York and Chicago.
But above sill. he declared, it WAS for
trade unionism that he WAS to work.
He believed ultimately the principles
of the trades unions would be univers
sally regarded as necessary for carrying
out any movement for human progress.
Mr.. Burns attention called to re-
Gently published statement that he had
aaid American workmen were mo bet
ter than African slaves"
That statement" he replied. "is q
superstructure OF misconstruction based
on Misunderstanding of what L said"
Then he explained that his remarks
had concerned the condition of Hunga-
rians and Italians at the coke region as
depicted in our blue books and which, if
true. he added, is disgrace to any civ
ilized country on the face OF the globe,
Mr.. Burns will leave New York on
Wednesday and will epend six weeks
travelling through the states.