Rock Island Argus., 1894-08-17
LABOR SENTIMENT
Holds the Floor Again Ire the
Chicago Inquiry.
MANAGERS NOT YET IN EVIDENCE.

A. y. q. Men Give Their Opinions Un.
vexod by Any Cross-Ouestioning from
the Other Side, Although 1t Is Invited
Divergent Ideas as to ''Compulsory"
Arbitration, but Practical Unanimity -
to Government Owner ship.
CHICAGO, Aug. l7-At the investioa-
ton before the national labor commission
Of the causes of the recent strike there was
full audience when the second days ses-
sion began, among those present being G.
w. Moon, who desires to present to the
commission plan to prevent labor
troubles. One thing that is noticeable is
the absence of any of the railway or Pull
man officials to cross-question the trades
unionists now giving evidence. At the
conclusion of the testimony of each wit
ness the presiding officer asks if any one
present wishes to question the witness
and there is never a response. The first
witness was George w. Lovejoy, of La
Sale, Ills, who said he was an "all-
round" railway man.
Quit Because He Was Fired"
He did not strike. The Rock Island
discharged him, presumably because he
attended the A. r. L. convention here
last June. The strike on the road at La
Sale was caused by his discharge, and had
nothing to do with the Pullman trouble.
Whc Lovejoy was dismissed the A. L.
L. men there quit and now the Rock Isl
AID officials will never employ any A. r.
u. man, said the witness. Lovejoy be-
liered government ownership of railways
the remedy for strike troubles, and cited
the case of the postal employees. The men
worid be better treated by the govern
n!eIt he thought. He did not believe in
compulsory arbitration,
Let Government Keep Hands on
II government control was impossible
lie wanted government to keep its hands
OFF, in cases of strikes-not interfere in
any way. If lawlessness ensued the state
authorities would preserve the peace
II the parties were obstinate let them
fight it ont.
'Do you think that if the government
kept its hands off the employees would
control the situation."
Il think we could settle by arbitration
if the government kept its hands off"
With government ownership he wanted
civil service examination and pension sys-
tenn. Strikes always do good, he said,
even if they do not accomplish what they
start ont to do. This recent strike had
taught workingmen the necessity of stand
ing together. I'VE have seen against us
the united press, the united clergy, the
entire judiciary. the United States and all
the Office holders.'
Secretary kellfher Takes the Stand.
Rioting and such things always turned
public opinion against the strikers. He
taen told what he knew of the Pullman
trouble whic, was that the men were lit
srally starved into striking. The next
witness was secretary Kelliher, OF the A.
K O., and he also '--ut over the causes
and progress of the PGlman strike, and
added some things not stated by Howard.
When the COMMITTEES % Pullman work
men attended the A. K. L. convention to
ask help they showed to the convention
that Pullman employees, latter working two
weeks received as payment for their labor,
after their rent and other charges were de-
Quoted, checks varying from cents to
one dollar.
Was that for two weeks continuous
work. asked Herman.
"Yes, sirn
Then he related how the strike spread
to the railways by the action of the A K
I. He knew nothing of any rioting