New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-14
DEBS'S OFFER IGNORED.
HIS LAST TRUMP PLAYED.
WOULD DECLARE THE STRIKE OFF n
THE MEN SHOULD BE TAKEN BACK.
THE GENERAL MANAGERS WOULDN'T CONSIDER
HIS PROPOSAL, so HE SAYS THE STRUGGLE
is STILL CONFEDERATION OF LABOR
REFUSES TO ORDER
sTRIKE-RAILwAY TRAF-
FfC IMPROVING,

the great railroad strike, made inef.
fectual attempt looking to a settlement to-day.
He drew up formal proposition to the General
Managers, agreeing to have the return to
work al once provided that they be reinstated
in their former places without prejudice He
made exception In the Of any man who
has been convicted Of a crime, but sought to have
all others go back Immediately He said that
the proposition was inspired by desire to SUBJ
serve the public good, as the strike. small and
unimportant In its inception, has extended until
'it now involves or threatens not only every
public interest, but the peace, security and pros
perity of our common country"
This proposition was signed by Debs. Howard
and Keiher. the principal officers Of the Ameri-
can Railway Union. 1t taken by them to
Mayor Hopkins. who at their request presented
It to Chairman st. John. OF the General Managers
Association. The association was not in session,
but. after the individual members had been con-
suited. the paper was returned TO Mayor Hopkins
without answer and with the information that no
communication whatever from Debs. Howard and
Keliher could be received or considered by the
Managers Association
This action Of the strike leaders taken,
they assert not because Of impending defeat but
in order that they should be in harmony with
the suggestion President Cleveland made in an-
nouncing that he would appoint commission
to investigate the strike troubles.
The refusal OF the General Managers even to
consider the proposition, the acceptance OF which
would make necessary the dismissal OF all men
engaged to fill the strikers places and would
place them again in the power OF the organlza-
ton which had paralyzed their lines for days.
was decided setback to the union.
Following 1t came the result Of the two days
deliberations Of the conference of labor leaders
Federation Of Labor. The leaders OF all the big
organizations outside the American Railway
Union and the Knights Of Labor decided not to
involve the men they represent in any local or
general strike They expressed sympathy with
the Pullman employees but declared a strike at
this time OF general business depression an act
Of folly
The proposition taken to the rooms OF the
General Managers Association by Mayor Hop
kins and Aldermen McGillen, chairman OF the
City Councils Arbitration Committee who were
received by Chairman st. John and Strike Man.
ager Egan AS far the roads were concerned.
Mr. Egan declared. the strike was already at
ar end II the men wished TO stay out OF work,
that was none Of the business OF the General
Managers All the roads running in nearly
as good order at first and the managers had
nothing to say beyond the fact that they felt
OF their property had been wantony destroyed.
and they did not see why they should grant IA
vors to the people who had done them all this
harm.
Mavor Hopkins made strong plea for a settle
ment of the whole matter He pointed out that
II the General Managers refused 10 accept this
proposition, the troops must be kept guarding the
city for at least two weeks more, entailing loss
Of many thousands of dollars on the state ana
that there might be more riotng and bloodshed-
Chairman ST. John said that he would do all in mis-
power II bring about a settlement, though or
course. as an individual. he could make no
promises on behalf OF the association he repre-
sented
THEY SAY THE STRIKE is STILL ON.
Early in the day the action OF President Clever
land had been hailed by the strike leaders as
victory for organized workngmen. as they as
serted that they had obtained for the first time
a recognition Of the principle OF arbitration by
the President Of the United States They then
looked for a settlement. The failure OF their
mode of settlement left them only unconditional
surrender or a continuance Of the contest. They
chose the latter. and declare that the strike Is
on as strong as ever. They say that they will
be able TO make 1t s;ill more effective here.
Meetings were held tonight in half dozen halls
resort to violence by some Of the more excitable
of the strikers their sympathizers still exists
4 change was made to-day in the disposal OF the
Federal troops on duty at the Sub-Treasury. the
guard line being extended into the street, and no
one being allowed on the sidewalk adjacent to the
building 1t is said that United States Secret
Service detectives advised extending the lines to
guard against the of dynamite.
The compromise proposition or the A. r. u TO
the General Managers Association was agreed
to before 10 O'Clock in the morning. The general
opinion among the managers Of the strike was
that a refusal to accept the one condition inn
posed by the l. r. l.. on the railway managers
would shift all the responsibility for the possible
consequences onto the shoulders of the latter
The offer of settlement regarded as the
playing of the American Railway Unions last
trump card especially it contained practical
admission that the widespread distress ana
threatened calami;ies Of worse character de-
manded that the strike should be declared on.
The determination Of President Cleveland to ap-
point a commission also had much to do with
the decision OF the American Railway Union
Executive Board to submit their proposition. The
proposition. they held, anticipated the condition
which the President insisted should be fulned
before the commission would be sent 70 Cnicago:
Every American Railway Union. knights or
Labor and Federation OF Labor leader spoken TO
at the strike headquarters to-day declared that
the refusal of the railway managers to restore
the strikers TO the.r places, except those con-
victed OF crime would be the signal for the wag-
ing OF war on corporations compared Win
which the present strike would be tame.
SOVEREIGN AND DEBs CONFER.
General Master Workman Sovereign and other
members Of the Executive Board Of the Knights
OF Labor had a conference this afternoon at
Uhlich's Hall with Debs and the Executive
Board of the American Railway Union relative
to ordering a strike of all the Knights In tho
United States No definite action was taken.
and the conference will be resumed tomorrow
morning. Mr.. Sovereign said to reporter for
the United Press
Railway Managers by the Railway Union Is rejected
the Knights Of Labor will take up this fight with