Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-07-09
Strike.

In Chicago On Saturday evening after
the GAZETTE had gone to press squad
Of thirty-six militiamen, Of Co. c. Sec
ond Infantry of Illinois troops, under
command of Lieutenant Reid, sent out
to guard construction train whose
purpose was to remove the wreckage
piled on the tracks by the mob the
night before, was savagely attacked by
mob numbering ten thousand per-
sons. The Western Indiana workmen
had partially succeeded in clearing
away an obstruction. when the mob
drove them away. After the lieuten-
ant had been struck by missile the
mob pressed upon the soldiers, unheed-
ing the warning OF the troops to keep
back. The soldiers opened fire and a
number of persons fell wounded. IN
deferred by the rifle shots, the rioters
again charged upon the soldiers, who
used their bayonets, MORALLY wounding
John Burke, the leader of the mob.
Unable to withstand the onset from
overwhelming numbers, the soldiers
were forced retreat, several OF them
having been hurt.
After the departure of the troops the
fury of the mob was uncontrolled, and
it began to tear up tracks and wreck
freight cars. The small force of police
on duty had no control of the crowd
whatever, and riot alarm was sent in.
Reinforcements were sent and arrived
in time to put stop to the disorder
and patrol the tracks for half mile in
the vicinity of the freight yards.
At another point the police in firing
over the heads of mob killed woman
on house top and wounded other per-
sons.
United States troops and militia were
distributed at railway stations and
other points where they could be most
readily used in dealing with strikers.
Alarms were sent in for fires in the
stock yards Saturday night where in
cendiaries were again at work.
Militia was in control OF the town OF
Pullman, where the strikers had been
quoted by bayonet charge of the
night before.
During all the excitement some of the
men at the stock-yards found time for
indulging in the grim humor Of laying
out grave yard, and erecting head
stones at the graves therein. bearing
the names of their pet aversions, in
Guiding that of the President OF the
United States.
Debs and Sovereign, as the chiefs Of
the A. K. {. and the knights of labor.
sent letter to the President, By tele-
graph, Saturday night, protesting
against the United States troops in Chi
cago, declaring that their presence in
creases the trouble, and pledging the
power OF the A. r. l. and the X. of h..
| individually and collectively, for the
maintenance OF peace. They also decid-
ed to order out all the knights OF labor.
Careful estimates of the cost OF The
strike place the losses sustained from
all sources up to the present time al
81. 565, 600 Great distress is reported
among the strikers. many Of whom are
in immediate need of food.
Reports come from all over the coun-
try CT conservative unions of railroad
men that have refused 10 take part il
Debs' strike. In many cases the unions
have notified their employers of their
intention to remain at work. Debs
course is condemned by cool-headed
railway men.
On Saturday evening, at the request
of Mr.. Lawrence, vice president OF the
First National Bank, Vice President
Wickes, OF the Pullman company, con
Tf n.
former employees of the Pullman com
pany on Saturday evening in reference
to the strike, but said the question OF
arbitration would not enter into the
conversation. Yesterday Mr. Wickes
went to the Pullman building to meet
the committee, but they did not ap,
pear. Mr. Wickes subsequently said
Il was willing to see the men, but had
declined to see representatives OF the
American Railway Union or any othel
organization. Mr.. Wickes said he
would not receive Mr.. Debs or any one
else as representatives Of the compa.
ny's employees The men must come
themselves.
Vice President Howard said "The
only reason why Wickes consented
even to treat with the men was because
he had been informed by the mediator
that the strikers were ready to surren-
der. Under the circumstances, OF
course, he was willing to confer.
have no idea that the conference will
accomplish anything"
Governor Mcconnell, of Idaho, has
sent dispatch to President Cleveland
advising him to urge the enactment by
Congress of a compulsory arbitration
law.
Both railroad officials and employe:
in Buffalo regard the situation there a
ominous. United States troops near
the city are being drilled in the use O.
a Gatling gun. Governor Flower says
he does not expect any trouble in tn,
State.
The determination of the President
to use the federal troops until
the strike is settled has not been chang
ed. If necessary all the regulars il
the east will be sent to Chicago. The
Northern Pacific Railroad was declar-
ed military and post road, and orders
10 so regard it were sent to Generals
Merritt and Otis. The troops in all
the eastern forts are held in readiness
to proceed to Chicago Immediately after
orders may be received.
Rioting continued in California and
Colorado Saturday. At Fort Wayne,
Ind, Deputy Marshal John Ryan at
tempted to read the court injunction to
one thousand strikers, when he was
knocked down, and roughly handled.
The A. R. Z. men on the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad at Louisville decin,
ed to nheu Qehs: order To them 10 strife