The record-union., 1894-07-07
LABOR LEADERS CONFER.

troops.
LABOR LEADERS CONFER.
Representatives of Nearly all Unions
In Chicago Present.
CHICAGO, July 6.-The conference of
labor, called by President Debs. to-day
was attended by representatives from
every union in the city. The tone of the
talk was strongly in favor of supporting
the strike.
The conference of labor appointed a
committee of three. with full power to act,
in the railroad strike calling out the labor
organizations. Meetings of all the labor
unions in the city will be held Sunday
night to ratify the action of the confer
ence.
Grand Master Workman Sovereign ar
rived in Chicago to-day from Des Moines.
He said he had come to Chicago to render
what assistance he could to the American
Railway Union, and should do whatever
the officers of that organization might
determine would best serve the interests
of the strike. He thought the ultimatum
of the movement was important that
every labor organization should put In
it's. hest blows to win the strike. He
added:
"This is the most critical period IN the
history of unionism in America. 1t is
the time for every labor leader to rally
his forces and join in the struggle
for existence. This will practically be
battle for the self-preservation and future
life of every workingman's body III the
country No one can overeStlmate the
importance of winning this conflict. De-
feat will mean not temporary setback,
but permanent and everlasting disad-
vantage to disorganized homer and hon.
estv among the working people OF the
land. That is why am here to-day. That
is why I will do whatever the American
Railway Union thinks best as regards the
ordering of a strike
''As regards a walkout on the part OF
the members of all trades unions in the
city, [ will say that / think 1t might
bring about q great good. Certainly 1t
would force upon the people stronger
realization of the necessity of the settle-
ment of these struggles, and the populace
would rise en- rnasse in demand for
arbitration. Arbitration the laporer IS
not afraid of. The capitalist, though, will
not accede to it. Mr.. Debs stands ready
to act for reasonable settlement. The
General Managers do rot. Public senti-
lnent will force the latter to change their
tune.'
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
DENVER, July Cit is stated on reli-
able authority that grave things depend
upon the action of the Federation of
Labor now in session at Cheyenne. The
Federation of Labor is holding confer
ence, at which it will be decided what ac-
ton shall be taken in connection with the
American Railway Union. If the con-
yention shall not side with the American
Railway Union all organizations on the
roads entering Denver, it is said, will not
strike, but will endeavor to bring about a
big downfall of the strike and its in
stigatorS. The reasons assigned for this
action are that the miraculous growth of
the organization since the beginning of
its existence, about year ago, and its
probable growth if successful, constitute
a menace to every other organization of
railway men, and they propose to fight
for their own existence.
WAR ON DEBs.
DENVER, July 6.-The Order of Rail-
way Conductors will tomorrow begin
war on Eugene Debs, his order and the
strike. The first step will be to expel
from the order all members who have
gone out on strike on the order of Debs.
This decision has been arrived at because
of sseyeral reasons. First-Mem bers of
that order who struck work violated the
laws of the order. Second BY their acts
the striking members have weakened the
influence of the order, which has always
been SO strong that it has never been
called upon to strike in order to gain a
desired point. It is intended to punish
the disobedient ones, and to stop the
weakening of the orders influence.
Following the example of the engineers
of the Denver and Gulf system, the con-
ductors of the Santa Fe, it is said, have
requested to be sworn in as Deputy
United States Marshals. and armed. Their
desire will be complied with tomorrow.
GALL FOR A GENERAL STRIKE.
CHICAGO, July 6.-The Building and
Trades Council of Chicago, with MEM
bership of %, 900, has issued call to all
organizations of labor throughout the
country to strike. 1t is reported tonight
that Grand Master Sovereign of the
knights OF Labor has called out all MEM
bers of his organization in the State of
New York, and that he will establish
headquarters at Buffalo for the manage
ment of the strike. 1t is also reported
that Debs and Sovereign left for Buffalo
tonight, although it is denied at the
strikers headquarters.
LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS.
CLEVELAND, July Git is learned to-
day that the Gri rievance Committee of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
on the Lake Shore went to Chicago last
night for the purpose of having confer
ence with President John Newell, who is
now in the latter city. The engineers
grievance lies in connection with the rule
which was some time ago put in force by
the Lake Shore virtually holding en-
gineers responsible for any pecuniary
loss resulting from accident in cases
where the company considers the en-
gineer neglected his duty. The engineers
will ask to have this rule rescinded. The
result of the conference is awaited with
much interest, as it may have an inn
portant bearing on the present strike.
STRIKING swIrCHMEN.
KANSAS CRY, July 6.-Miles w. Bar
rett, President of the Switchmen's NIu-
tual Aid Association, was here to-day to
attend meeting of the railroad en-
ployes. He told the switchmen if they
quit work they must expect no aid while