The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-08-18
LIGHT Is SOUGHT.
Investigation Into the Causes OF
the Late Strike Begun.
The Labor Commissioners In session at
Chieago-Niee President Howard and
General Master Workman Sow
ereign Testify.
roLn LAnoR's sronY.


CHICAGO. Aug. l6-Presldent Cleyelhnd's
special commission 20 investigate the recent
strikes and boycott against the Pullman and
the railroad companies began It's inquiry
Wednesday Ia the district courtroom In the
federal building. The commissioners, consist
ing OF Labor Commissioner Carroll ID. Wright,
John d. Herman. OF New York. ana Judge
n. r.. Worthington, OF Illinois, occu-
pied the judicial bench
Before proceeding with the examination
Commissioner Wright said that the commits
sion. which was In the nature Of a court Of in
quiry, had no authority 20 act as arbitrator
In matters In dispute. He said the tes-
timony OF the employees side of tho
case would be heard first, and after
that the corporations would be called
on 10 present their views. Parties might be
represented by counsel II 50 desired and wit
nesses might be examined and cross-examined
and arguments would be heard. The sessions
would be from 10 o'clock 10 1870 and from 30
10 o'clock
These preliminaries having been completed
@. w. Howard, vice president Of the American
Railway union, was called as the first witness.
He told how the Pullman strike was precipl-
tated by the alleged discharge OF members Of
a committee that waited on the Pullman COM
pany officials. He said he had advised against
the Pullman strike and he told or the
eTorts that we're made by the American
Railway union and the civic federation
/
hciais 20 arbitrate the difficulties. He further
related how the convention OF the American
Railway union, composed OF delegates from
all the United States, declared that no more
Pullman cars would be handled by the Ameri-
can Railway union after certain date unless
the Pullman company decided 10 arbitrate.
The company refused 20 nrbitrate and the rail-
way men refused 20 handle the Pullman cars.
Mr.. Howard said thai the cause OF the gem
eral strike was that the General Managers
sociation made declaration that they would
back up George NJ Pullman
Then the railway managers took advantage
OF the situation by refusing 10 run mail trains
! unless they could haul Pullman ears also
understand that this action was based on a
ruling Of Attorney General Olney that mail
train consisted Of all cars usually hauled on
H.,
Mr. Howard went on 10 say that the General
Managers association was formed for the
avowed purpose OF lighting and defeating any
strike. and the cost OF such fight on any road
was 20 be borne pro rata by the other roads. II
speak by the record, said Mr.. Howard.
What Is that record the newspapers"
asked Commissioner Herman.
No, sir. The managers prepared a book
classifying the wages aud work on all roads.
The books were printed by Poole Bros. and IL.
o. shepherd Co., and the original matter Is
IN possession Of the general managers.
AT that convention OF the American Rail-
way union was the boycott ordered asked
Commissioner Herman.
we agreed not to handle Pullman cars and
we think man has q right 10 handle or not
handle any kind OF cars as he sees NJ"
Your action toward the Pullman employees
was merely one Of support"
mot entirely We we're forced into e. We
had 70 do this or surrender.
Why"
Because Of the position taken by the general
managers.
49,. a.,,....4t 80, a, . q, 80, .t..s -
ISOLATION was organized on the same basis and
for the same purpose on It's side as the Amcri-
can Railway union on ts sideY asked COM
missioner Wright
Precisely SO, replied Mr.. Howard
Mr.. Howard spoke OF the rioting He said
that the first overt act was the display OF
pistol oya newspaper employee at Blue Island
and that on the next day the troops were
brought here
Mr., Howard testified that he had given in
formation 20 city detectives that certain per-
sons had been paid large by General
Manager Egan, Of the Rock Island road 20
burn cars. thereby arousing public sentiment
against the strikers.
Your association has not sought 20 deprive
other men Of employment
mot at all We never seek TO deprive men
OF employment, We recognize the right Of
every man 10 work when and how ne plcascs"
Commissioners Herman questioned Mr.. How
ard as TO the policy and action Of the American
Railway union with regard 20 the lawbreakcrs.
Mr., Howard replied that any man known TO
have countcnanccd violence would be expelled.
IN the Great Northern strike tho union pro-
tected the companys property
In the beginning 81 his afternoon testimony
Mr. Howard told about the conference OF la
Dor leaders az the Briggs house and said Mr.
pcbs did not advise either MIR. GOmpers,
Mr. Sovereign, or Mr. Mcbride, or any
other labor leaders 10 counsel men be-
aNrIH 81.
Mr. Howard said President Debs told every
man 10 act as his own conscience dictated ~
that time Debs wanted Gompers 20 i'm
torcede with the railroad managers for a
speedy settlement Of the strike. but
the president OF the Americans Fedora
ton OF Labor refused TO do this and
the next day Debs went 20 Mayor Hopkins
with the result that a proposition was submit
ted 70 the railway managers and by thcm re-
Jected
When he was invited 70 suggest way OF
preventing such troubles Ia the future Mr.
Howard snid SO far as rnilroad employees were
concerned the only practical solution was ia
governments ownership and operation OF rail-
roads A. Go arbitration, the labor leader had
little faith IA is efficacy unless IL was vol
untary
General Master Workman Sovereign OF the
knights OF Labor. followed. He said he knew
little OF the grievances ~ the Illinois Central
employees and comparatively little about the
Rock Island except that the hitter road was
the subject Of discussion IN IA convention at
Dcs Moines before the general strike IN Chit
cago.
"Thc American Railway union and tho
Knights OF Labor. said Mr. Sovereign. are so
closely afiliAted that they may be regarded as
two divisions ~ one army. when the trouble
came up here the convention at Dcs Moines
considered whether any action should be taken.
That suggested by circular or tele-
gram from Eugene V. DcbS. II was left
20 vote az the men on each road.
Concerning the violence and destruction OF
property, Mr.. Sovereign said he believed tho
burning OF cars was the work 81 United states
deputy narshals. He had read Information
filed with the mayor 81 Chicago by the police
department which justified that belief
II do not believe arbitration will avoid such
strikes" ne said In conclusion. voluntary
arbitration II too slow and compulsory arbi-
tration ~ not q remedy. I think the laws
should recognize laborcrs right-his equity j
ia his position. The employers equity n In
his plantthe product OF his plant The dis
charged laborer II discharged without just
cause. should have the right 20 20 into