The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-14
II IS ABOUT over
Federation Of Labor Orders
Its Men Back to Work.


Bv The Associated Press.
CHIcAeo. Juiy IA l4-Foliowing Is the text
q che proposition made By President Debs
- the railway managers
CHICAGO, July IL
# 10 the Railway Managers
4 0ESrLKMRE-Th The existing troubles growing
out Of the Pullman strike having assumed
continental proportions, aNd there being no
Indication OF relief from the widespread bust
ness Generalization and distress incident
tAoreto. the railway employees, through the
beAsd Of directors OF the American hallway
union. rsspsctful5y make the following propo-
eition as basis Of settlement:
They agree 10 return 20 work In body at
once. provided they shall be restored 20 their
farmer positions without prejudice. except In
cAoos. tf any thexo be. where they have been
oonvictsd 81 crime. This proposition. looking
% IN Immediate settlement Of the existing
strike on all lines OF railway is inspired by
suppose TO subserve the public good. The
otrtke aman and comparatively unimportant
n Sts incsptien, has extended In every direc.
3ion~ until now IL involves or threatens not
only every public interest. but the peace, Sc
ourity and prosperity OF our common country
The contest has waged hercely. II has ex-
tended far beyond the limits of interests
orisinally involved, and has laid hold Of a
vnst number of industries and enterprises in
nowise responsible for the differences and dis
agreements that led to tho trouble. Factory,
mill. mine and shop have been silenced;
widespread Generalization has sway, The
Interests Of multiplied thousands Of innocent
people are suffering. The common welfare
tranquility are in peril. Grave apprehen-
oions of the future prevail This being true,
and the statement viii not be controverted.
We conceive 1t to be our duty as citizens and
ne men TO make extraordinary efforts TO end
oxisting strife, and avert approaching cal
x~t, daxx- M
II ended now, the contest, however serious
NJ its consequences. will not have been in
VAN. Sacrifices have been made, but they
VIII have their compensations. Indeed, IL
lessons shah Re taught by experience, the
troubles, now so widely deplored, viii prove
, = Blessing Of ipestimablc value in the months
and years O. come. The difference that led
NJ 70 the present complications need not now
- discussed.
Al this supreme juncture every considera-
11on Of duty and patriotism demands that .
remedy for existing trouble be found and ap-
D2ied. The employees propose to do their part
~ meeting their employers half way. Let it
- stated that they do not impose any condi
61on Of settlement, except that they be re-
onrnsd 70 their former positions. They do not
uDk the recognition of the organization or OF
any organization.
6slisvine this proposition 70 be fair, reason
soble and Just IL is respectfully submitted,
Wfth the belief that it's acceptance will result
~ The prompt resumption Of traffic, the re-
vlyal Of cfindustries and the restoration Of peace
on1 order. Respectfully.
EuoHrE v. DEBs, Prssidcnt
GE0KoK II. HowxxD, vfcs President ~
DxxvHsT1R KELmEa, Secretary, American
Railway Union.
a CAs TeAsratiea's Views.
y The conferences oommittse Of tho FEEDER
otion Of Labor presented for adoption an
address to the public.
President Gompers read t. p n. Norris
~. vice grand master of the Brother
hoo1 Of Railway Trainmen. and T. w.
Arnold, secretary Of the brotherhood Of
xocomotivs Firsmen, made stirring
npesches In opposition to the endorse
ment Of Debs and the course pursued by
che A. RU.
p. J. MCGUIRE, Arst Woe president Of the
Eederatisn Of Labor. urged that the Pull
nan strike was purely local And should
- dssls With by the people of Chicago. A
rcsolution was adopted tondemning both
Ne Republic and. Democratic parties j
and pledging support 10 the Populists.
.1'hs address was finally adopted. ~ fol-
lowss
Ihs great industrial uphsavai now agitatins
0Ao country. has been carefully, calmly and
<uzIy considered in conference of the execu-
1Ivo council of tho American Federation of
Labor, and the executive ofhcers and repre-
1o0tatives Of the national and International
unions, and brotherhoods Of railway men,
gAile4 70 meet In the city Of Chicago on July
. n fhs light Of all the evidence obtainabls.
md In view OF the peculiar complications now
M1voloping the situation. We are forced to the
pcnclusion that the best interests Of the
rnfens aniliated with the American Fedora
4|en af Labor demand that they refrain from |
orucipating In any general and local strike |
Whioh may be proposed In connection with |
40 present railroad troubles.
~ making this declaration, we do not wish |
y understood that we are In any way antag- |
10istio to any labor organization now strug- |
4Llng for right or justice, but rather 20 the |
net that the present contest has be- /
|ccme surrounded and beset with oomplca-
<tons 40 grave ia their nature that we cannot |
|1pnG1stently advise course which would but /
odd 70 the general confusion
The trades UNION movement is one of reason,
pne ef deliberation, and. depending entirety I
Upon the voluntary and sovereign action of its /
Uoembership, IL Is democratic In principles
KIND actions, conservative in It's demands and |
|1onotefcnf in ifs efforts 10 secure them. In /
|1ustriai contests cannot be entered into az the /
behest of any individual officer OF this confer
|once, regardless Of the position he may occupy |
- eur organization.
While we may not have the power 10 order
~ strike OF the working people OF our country,
~ are fully aware that recommendation
xoD this conference TO them TO lay down
|1hoir tools Of labor would largely influence
|0no members of our affiliated organizations,
Uno appreciaftHg the responsibility resting
|~Don ue. and the duty we owe 20 all, we de-
|1lare IL 10 be the sense OF this conference that
~ general strike at this time Is inexpedient
11w1se and contrary 10 the best interests OF |
40 working people.
D. g.
nth the American Federation OF Labor now
1ut on sympathetic strike should return 10
UoFk and those who contemplate going out
- Gympathstic strike are advised 20 remain
- their usual vocations.
n the strike of the American Railway
1nion wo recognize an impulsive. vigorous
<otest against the gathering. growing forces
~ plut0cratic power and corporation rule. In
40 sympathetic movement OF that order to
1olp the Pullman employees they have demon
XX = AII II.