The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-24
II. OF l.. AS MILITIAMEN.
Reported Scheme for All Union Men
20 Go Into the Service.

NEW YORK, July 23.-The Herald this
morning says the report is current, and its
authenticity is vouched for by an official
attached to one of the most influential
of the labor organizations in this city, that
organized labor throughout the country is
10 unite in an effort for the conversion of
the militia to labor interests. This is TO
be accomplished by the enlistment of labor
men in the National Guard in the several
States. The movement was inaugurated in
the West more than a year ago, and labor
leaders in this city who favor the scheme
point to the recent conduct of the National
Guard in California, who refused TO do
duty In quellng railroad riots, as an evil
dence of what the plan may accomplish.
1t has been stated that a result of
conference following the recent outbreak
throughout the labor organizations in the
East directing the men to enlist in the
militia. This is denied by the labor lead
ers, but the fact remains that the applica-
ton for admission to the regiments of the
National Guard in this State have recently
been more numerous than ever. Among
the applicants are many members Of labor
organiZat lions. Some of the applicants are
members of the Knights of Labor. and this
is regarded as significant, because Of the
fact that after the railroad riots in Buffalo
in 1890 the district assemblies of that order
passed resolutions requesting their men,
bers TO refrain from enlisting in the Ma
tional Guard, and of those already enlisted
it was asked that they retire at the expira-
ton of their terms of enlistment, or earlier,
if possible.
The officers of the regiments of the Ma
tional Guard in this city have no knowl-
edge Of the move contemplated by the labor
men, but they are now watching applica-
lions for membership with more than usual
care, and particularly with view to as
pertaining whether or not applicants are
members of labor organza ions.
Col. William Seward, of the Ninth Reg
iment, n. G.. ). y. y, at a meeting of the
instructions that hereafter all applicants
for membership in the regiment shall be
Intercepted as TO whether they are msm>
bers of any labor organization If so, the
Colonel directed, their applications should
be submitted to him for his personal inves-
tigation before the men are enlisted.
General Fitzgerald, commanding the
First Brigade, which includes all the Ma
tional Guard organizations of this city,
report that the leaders of organized labor
throughout the country had decided TO
change their policy in respect to enlist
ments OF labor men in the National Guard
and had quietly promulgated an order to
labor organizations in the East directing
their members TO join military regiments.
General Fitzgerald said he had heard of the
report but that he had observed no in
dications that such plan to control the
guard was on foot 1t could not work
any way, for there were too many men
who were regularly enlisted who were not
members of labor organizations to be out
balanced by those who were. Other Ma
thought there was nothing in the report
Executive Board Il. of l..
OMAHA, July 23.-The general executive
board of the X of L. held informal
meeting this morning, but did not transact
any business. This afternoon the full board
began its work in secret session. General
Master Workman Sovereign declared the
strike was still on, and said that reprasen-
tatives of the order reported from Chicago
that the railroads not handling
freight and would not be able 20 do so
der present conditions. The railroad man
ayers, he said, were whistling 10 keep up
their courage.
1t was rumored this evening thar delegate
Mcguire had a scheme for having the gov
eminent foreclose the mortgage the
Union Pacific road and have this railroad
operated by the government in the future,
as has been advocated by the knights OF
Labor Mr.. Mcguire thinks il this Congress
does not do the right thing the next Con-
gress will be made up with more friends of
the people. The leaders now in Omaha are
all in hearty sympathy with Debs, and ex-
press themselves willing to do all in their
power TO assist his iefense. Among other
things TO be considered while in Oilala ia
the question of forming military corapa MES
of lahOrnp men