Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-07-20
DEBS' TLTIMATUM.
OLD EMPLOYEES MUST BE TAKEN
BACK.
He Makes Virtue OF Necessity
The Only Exception Is Those
Employees Convicted of Crime
The ImpOssibiIity OF Acceding TO
this Demand Considered.

The Only Exception Is Those
Employees Convicted of Crime
The ImpossibiIity of Acceding TO
this Demand Considered.
Following is the full text of the
proposition made by Debs to the rail
way managers:
To the Railway Managers:
Gentlemen The existing troubles
throughout the Pullman strike hay
ing assumed continental proportions,
and their being no indication of relief
from the widespread business and
generalization and distress incident
thereto, the railway employees, through
the Board of Directors of the A. r. L.,
respectfully make the following propo-
sition as basis of settlement:
They agree to return to work in "A
body at once, provided they shall be
restored to their former positions
without prejudice, except in cases, il
any there be, where they have been
convicted of crime.
This proposition looking to an i'm
mediate settlement of the existing
strike on all lines of railway is in
splred by a purpose to subserve the
public good. The strike, small and
comparatively unimportant in its in.
ception, has extended in every direc.
ton until now it involves or threatens
not only every public interest, but the
peace, security and prosperity of ouI
common country. The contest has
waged tiercely. 1t has extended fal
beyond the limits OF the interests orig.
inally involved, and has laid hold of a
vast number of industries and enter.
prises i'll nowise responsible for the
differences and disagreements that led
to the trouble. Factory, mine, mill
and shop have been silenced. Wide.
spread generalization has sway. The
interests of multiplied thousands oil
innocent people are suffering. The
commercial welfare is s iously men.
aced. The public peace and tran.
guilty are imperiled. Grave appre'
hension for the future prevailed.
This being true-and the statement
will not be controverted-we conceive
it to be our duty as citizens and az
men to make extraordinary efforts to
end the existing strike and avert the
approaching calamities whose shadows
are even now upon us.
Ii ended now, the contest, however
serious in it's consequence, will no,
have been in vain. Sacrifices have
been made but they will have their
compensations. Indeed, if lessons
shall be taught by experience, the
troubles now so widely deplored will
prove a blessing of inestimable value
in the months and years to come.
The difference that led up to the
present complications need not now
be discussed. At this supreme juno.
ture every consideration of duty and
patriotism demands that remedy fol-
existing troubles be found and ap-
piled. The employees propose to dc
their part by meeting their employers
half way. Let it be stated that they
do not impose any condition of settle
ment except that they return to their
former positions. They do not ask
the recognition of their organization.
Believing this proposition to be fair,
reasonable and just, it is submitted
with the belief that its acceptance will
result in the prompt resumption oil
traffic, the revival of industry and the
re. 20 alton OF peace and order.