Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1894-07-05
THE GREAT STRIKE.

The old trite saying, Tall oaks from
little acOins grow" has been applied
many times to many things. But,
Eever could it be more justly applied,
than to the great railroad strike, which
is today, the foremost subject of
thought to the mind Of every reading
and thinking man. The present diff
ficulties in railroad circles are so wide
spread and Of such Il serious nature,
as to bring them home to every man.
Cities, towns and almost every village
in the whole land have suffered to II
greater or less degree by this huge lock
out, which had its origin in what were,
when compared with their far reach
inf effects, very trivial circumstances.
The following epitome of the events of
the past two months, taken from the
Inter Ocean gives clearly and succinct-
ly the causes and events of the strike
up TO the first day Of July.
May 5th.-Pulman carpenters met at Ken
sington, organized Union No. 20S of the A. r. U.
BlacksmthS' union also formed. Strike advo-
Gated if wages were not increased.
May 9th.-A delegation waited on President
Pullman, who went over the ground with the
committee and delivered a statement to his en-
ployes, in which he set forth that it was impos-
sible for him to raise their wages. He pointed
out that his company was employing 1890 men
at Pullman at loss of $4,000 per month, and
that cars were being built at u loss of $40 each,
simply to keep tho works running. The same
day. at meeting at Kensington, Vice President
Howard, of the A. X. u, promised the men the
aid of the union in declaring boycott in case
they were not successful in their demands.
May 11th.-Two thousand of the men employ
ed at Pullman laid down their tools. The strike
was unauthorized by Vice President Howard
and was caused by order of a local committee
composed of iorty-siX men representing the
various departments of the works. The direct
cause OF the strike was the laying off of three
men-PetersOn, Hasty, and Watson-who had
been on the arbitration committee and had been
promised they would not be molested because
OF that fact. At six o'clock the same evening,
after 4 consultation with the various heads Of
departments, the works at Pullman were shut
down. During the remainder OF the week the
situation at Pullman remained the same. The
works were closed. The strikers organized an
executive committee, of which L. w. Heathcote
was made chairman. Vice President Howard
went to indianapolis to confer with President
Debs for the purpose Of declaring a general
strike in all the branches of the A. r. u. and
threats were made to force the Pullman en-
ploys at st. Louis, Ludlow, Ky, and Whining
ton, Del, to go out.
May 16th.-Officers and members of the Order
of Railway Conductors, the Brotherhood of To-
connective Engineers, the Brotherhood of Brake
men, and the Brotherhood of Swtchmen said
they would not go into sympathetic strike for
the benefit of the Pullman men. On the same
day an assessment of 3 cents day was levied
OH each of the $4,000 members Of the Ameri-
can Railway Union to assist the Pullman strik-
ers.
May 2oth.-The men were anxious to arbitrate
Mr.. Pullman refused to deal with the strikers
excepta as individuals.
June 4th.-The Trades and Labor Assembly,
by unanimous vote, passed resolutions of SYM
pathy with the strikers.
June I5th.-Presdent Debs called national
convention of the American Railway Union to
order in Uhlich's Hall and special committee
was appointed to confer with the Pullman offic-
ials. General Manager Wickes, of the Pullman
Company, June 10, told them that his company
had nothing to arbitrate.
June 22d.-The committee again waited upon
General Manager Wickes, with the same result,
Formal notice Of boycott to take effect June 36,
given.
June 25th.-General Managers Association
met and decided to stand together to prevent
the A. X. u, from disturbing railway traffic.
June 26th.-A. II. U. ordered general boycott
of all Pullman cars. Illinois Central Railroad
INSTRUCTED at Grand Crossing and Western In
diana Road at Hammond.
June 26th.-General Manager Charles Watts,
Of the Pennsylvania system, called on Chief
Brennan for police protection. Inspector Hunt
was sent to Grand Crossing, where he stated he
had 200 officers In reserve, and was prepared to
suppress any disturbance that might arise.
June 27th.-The details of police were in
creased. Chief Brennan said 1--WE will do all
we can to preserve peace and protect property.
The railroads, however, must understand that
the police have other duties than to protect rail-
road property. My inspectors have charge OF
this matter in their reSdective districts. We
can trrn out 1000 men at short notice if it should
become necessary, but sincerely hope it will
not be-"
June 27th.-A. r. U. ordered out Santa Fe men.
June 2Sth.-A. II. U. ordered general strike
throughout the West of all members of the
union,
June 2Sth.-Attorney General Olney instructed
District Attorney Milchrist to protect mail
trains with United States marshals. Marshal
Arnold ordered to send deputies to all depots.
Juno 29th.-Sheriff Gilbert appealed to by
General Manager Miller, of the Monon, to send
deputy sherifTs to Riverdale, to quell disturb
anceS.
June 3Oth,-Deputy sheriffs sworn in and sent
to various points.