The Forrest City times., 1894-07-13
PRINCE PULLMAN,
Through His Prime Minister Vice.
 President Wickes,
Declares That He Wants "No Interference From Federal, State or Any other Government" and Has
 Nothing to Arbitrate.

knife. and the knife to the hilt. The powers have spoken. and the most tre- mendous strike known to history will be inaugurated to-day when the even ing whistles blow. and l00,000 men lay down their work, not to return until the Pullman boycott is settled.
 Yesterday was the most quiet Chi cago has experienced since the great Pullman boycott was declared. But it was the quiet that precedes the storm, and beneath the strange stiffness the ear of the close watcher of events could catch the ominous rumblings of an in- dustrial cyclone, threatening dread dis aster and fearful destruction. storm whose awful portent none may read, and whose vast consequence none may forecast.
 The strike which has paralyzed traf- fic on the railroads for the past few weeks and wrought loss beyond com putation to every interest in Chicago. will to-day be augmented by the prac- tical cessation of all industry and the almost complete paralysis of commerce in and about the city.
 All night Sunday and until the gray hours of Mondays dawn great meet ing, composed of delegates from all of the trades unions in Chicago, sat in Ulrich's hall and wrestled with the problem confronting it. The question before the meeting was: Shall the trades unions of Chicago strike in sym pathy with the Pullman boycott, to the end that the principle of arbitration may win?"
 1t was a gathering of thoughtful men and their deliberations were marked for their calm earnestness. The gravity of the situation was fully apprehended.
 1t was determined that a last at tempt be made to get the Pullman com pany to arbitrate it's differences with it's workingmen, and a committee of seven was appointed to call upon the mayor with view to securing the CO., operation of business men in securing from the Pullman company the con cession asked for-arbitration.
 A brief meeting was held in the mayors office, which adjourned to an- other meeting with the city council committee on arbitration.
 At the last meeting Alderman Me Gillen, chairman of the council com mittee, made the suggestion that a committee be appointed who should in vestigate and determine whether the Pullman company's statement that there was nothing to arbitrate was true and just; that the committee be composed of two members named by the Pullman company, two to be named by the judges of the circuit court of Cook county, and the fifth by the four first chosen. The suggestion was adopted by the joint committee, and subcommittee was appointed to present the proposition to the Pullman company. This committee was com posed of the council committee-Al- derman McGillen, Marrener. Muelhoe- fer and Powers-and Messrs. Elderkin, Ryan and Lindholm, representing the trades unions.
 The subcommittee repaired at once to the office of Vice-Presidcnt Wickes of the Pullman company and requested an interview with that gentleman. It was granted, and then followed scene which bids fair to rival in his toric interest and importance any event in the history of labor. Every man present felt the extreme gravity of the hour, and the silence, through which the voices of the speakers seemed painfully distinct, was oppressive.
 DO, you come as an official of the aity?" Mir. WiclSes asked the alderman.
 ''I do," replied Mir. M cGillen.
 Do you represent the mayor in this matter?" inquired the Baltimore of ficial.
 "The mayor will indorse our action here" the alderman replied.
 Alderman McGillen was the spokes- man. He addressed Mir. Wickes, and placed before him the proposition as authorized by the full committee.
 Once, as the alderman halted for an instant, Mr. WiclSes said; 'sThe com pany cannot recede from the position it has already he ld."
 The interjection aroused Alderman McGillen and he eloquently portrayed the situation in all it's bearings and the inevitable consequences unless a settlement was reached. Mir. Wickes listened attentively. He seemed touched by the appeal, and when the spokesman had concluded, retired with Attorney John $. Runnells, of the Pullman company. for consultation. The delay was of brief duration. When he returned, every one present read n the vice presidents stern face the fateful answer he would make. The feeling was intense and the little throng, composed of committeeman =. l ....A. A.., l,r.,.r 1,f fha ,,raSS and naNys