The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-08-01
STRIKE INVESTIGATION.
CLEVELAND'S PROMISE TO
THE LABOR LEADERS.

He Agrees to Appoint an Arbitration
Commission on Condition That the
Strike Should Be Ended and All
Violence and Mob Rule Cease
Commissioner Wright's Aids.
President Cleveland informed a committee
representing organized labor that he would
IN the near future, appoint commission
composed OF three members, Of whom the
United States Commissioner OF Labor shall
be the Chairman, under Chapter 1868 Of the
laws of 1888, to inquire into and investigate
thoroughly the causes leading up to the labor
disturbances OF the country.
This announcement was made at the Ex-
ecutive Mansion at 5 o'clock p. N. to ]. W.
Hayes, General Secretary Of the Knights OF
Labor T. B. Mcclure and G. A. French.
These gentlemen called by an appoint
ment arranged earlier in the day. They were
shown into the Presidents working room.
where they presented their credentials and
made formal application to the President to
appoint Board OF Arbitration under the
law of 1888.
The President listened to the labor men
present their views and then told them that,
as condition precedent to making such an
appointment, all strikes must be called of
by organized labor and all violence and mob
rule cease. He informed them that law and
order must be restored before he took any
steps looking in the direction Of ascertain
ing the causes that produced the present
condition Of affairs.
United States troops would be still re-
tanned In the disturbed sections to see that
the orders Of the United States Courts were
enforced. Interstate traffic must be re-
sumed and peace restored throughout the
country.
The Labor Committee was given to un-
derstand that this commission would be ap
pointed apart from any demands made by
the strikers for arbitration. In fact, the
commission would have under the law no
power to arbitrate, but simply to Investigate
and report its conclusions to the President
and to Congress,
Private Secretary Thurber authorized the
following statement In regard to the Presi-
dents intended appointment OF COM
mission:
The law passed on October 1, 1888,
especially authorizes the appointment OF
such a commission, and defines its duties.
The commissioners have not been selected,
and It will probably be number OF days
before the appointments are announced.
The following telegram was sent to Presi-
dent Cleveland from the labor conference
called at Chicago by President tompers, OF
the American Federation Of Labor
"To the President of the United States:
'sThe gravity Of the industrial situation
demands extraordinary and exceptional ac-
ton OF a conciliatory character at the hands
OF all men.
Recognizing the fact, the Executive
Council OF the American Federation OF Labor
and the undersigned executive officers OF the
national and international trades unions and
brotherhoods of railroad organizations OF
America, are In conference In this city.
"We ask you in the name Of the working
people and the entire citizenship Of the
country 10 lend your influence and give US
your aid, 80 that the present industrial crisis
may be brought to an end, alike to the ad-
vantage OF the people Of our country and
the institutions under which we live.
''We therefore ask yolto come to Chicago,
or if the state of public business does not
warrant such course. that you will deput-
ize some one as your representative.
This telegram was signed by Samuel
Gompers, President Of the American Fedora
tion Of Labor the four Vice-Presidents Of
the Federation, by Secretary Christopher
Evans and Treasurer John B. Lennon, and
by seventeen other executive officers OF ma
tional and International unions, brother
hoods and associations.