Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-06


at Work.
CHICAGO, July 5.-President Debs, OF
the A. r. o., issued an address tonight
to the public, the purpose OF which, ne
said, was to acquaint the people with
facts relating to the present trouble
He declared that the Pull
man employees, who struck on
May 9Th, did so entirely of their
own accord. Their action was spon-
taneous and unanimous; a revolt against
q series OF deep.seated wrongs OF long
standing. Labor leaders not only had
no part in it, but those connected with
the A. r. U. advised against it. The
smployes at Pullman had virtually be-
come the slaves of the corporation.
At the time OF the strike they were
in arrears for rent alone TO the extent
of $4,000. Within a short time they
would have become hopelessy involved
in debt, aud would have mortgaged
soul and body to the Pullman company.
This had resulted because while wages
had been reduced the cost OF living had
remained the same.
THE EMPLOYEES FROM THE BEGINNING
had been willing to arbitrate their dif-
ference with the company. This was
still their position. The claims OF the
company, that there was nothing 10 ar
bItrate, was absurd. Committee after
committee waited upon the officials OF
the company, but was always repulsed.
The conn pany was and still is as un-
yielding as adamsnt.
Finally, on June 18th, the delegates
OF the A. +. U. met in convention In
Chicago. The Pullman trouble mad been
discussed at their local meetings. Many
of the delegates came instructed. 1wo
committees were sent TO the officials,
but no satisfaction could be obtained.
As a last resort the delegates determ-
iued by unanimous vote TO decline TO
haul Pullman cars, unless the company
would do them justice within five days.
This action was taken six weeks alter
Uue sCrtK9 uv-r usTmdU UCCuIfeu.
How did the strike extend to the rail-
ways? The daV before the order OF the
Union declining TO haul Pullman cars
went into effect the General Managers
Association, representing the principal
western railways, met and agreed sub
Stantially TO
UPHOLD THE PULLMAN COMPANY
in Its fight against it's employees, that
they would haul Pullman cars and that
they would stand together in crushing
the life out of the A. r. Z. The trouble
resulting had spread from line to line
and from system to system until crisis
had been reached. Every good citizen
must view the outlook with grave con-
Germ.
What could be done to restore peace
and confidence. The A. K. u. stood
ready 10 do anything in its power that
was honorable to end the trouble. IL
simply insisted that the Pullman com
pany shall meet its employees and do
them Justice. The latter would accept
any reasonable proposition. The Com
pany might act through its officers
or otherwise and the employees through
their chosen representatives. Let them
agree so far As they could and submit
the disputed points to arbitration. The
question OF the recognition OF the A. K.
L. or any other organization was waived.
Let the spirit of conciliation, mutual
concession and compromise govern both
sides and there would be no trouble in
REACHING A SETTLEMENT
That would be satisfactory to all con-
cerned. Then let the railroads agree
TO restore all their employees to their
situations without prejudice and the
trouble would be ended. The railway
were not required TO recognize the A.
K. U.
As to the charge that this was a SYM
pathetic strike, the employees had done
| only what the corporations had done.
! Other organizations of workingmen had
felt the oppressive hand OF corporate
| capital. They would not be called ont
but would go out.
As TO his own part in the strike, Mr..
Debs said 1t was not ordered by him
| self. nor by any other individual.
He has never ordered nor called any,
J body out. Under the rules OF the
! A. r. u, members could ouly strike
when a majority OF their number
so desired, One vote of ths
delegates in this instance was unaui.
nous. Whenever men have str1ck. thew
have done so of their own will. He had
simply served the notice after the men
had determined to quit.
"ln closing" said Mr.. Debs. "let mo
repeat that we stand ready 10 do our
part toward averting the impending
crisis. We have no false prids
to stand in the way of
settlement. We do not want "oficial"
recognition. All we ask is fair NAV for
the men who have chosen US 10 renre-
sent them. II the corporations refuse
to yield aud stubbornly maintain thar
there is nothing to arbitrate' the re-.
sponsibility for what may ensue will be
upon their heads and they cannot as.
cape its penalties"
CHICAGO, July 5.-President Debs. in
an interview this afternoon, declared
that, IL it became necessary, the chiefs
of the various labor organizations in the
city would call out every trade in Chi.
csgo, so that the strikers would win.