The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-12-08
JOHN BURNS IS HEARD.
fhs English Labor Leader Addresses an
Immense Gathering In New York.

labor In England. arrived here sum
day on the Cunard steamer Etruria.
On reaching the pier Dir. Burns 70,
ceived "A hearty welcome from large
delegation composed of mem
bers of the different trades
organizations. A brief address
Gompers, president of the American
Federation of Labor. 10 which Mr..
Burns responded appropriately. Mr..
Burns comes 20 this country as the
representative OF the trades union
congress parliamentary committee of
England 60 attend the annual congress
OF the American Federation OF Labor
in Denver. which begins December 10.
In the afternoon Mr. Burns visited
the Central Labor union and was en-
Enthusiastically greeted. In his remarks
he said he hoped 10 stay in America
long enough TO make n careful study
OF the condition OF the working classes.
The labor movement in Great Britain
he said. was passing through the in
ternational phase. and this was caus-
ing alarm 10 the politicians who
seemed to be frightened at its develop
ments. lie continued:
"You believe, with us in England. that frocls
coats and high hats have had theirsday and
that the time has come when fustian ana cor
duroy should have their innings II so, We
have got TO fight for labor along the lines OF
the least resistance
Mr. Burns. during the day, gave an
audience to a number of newspaper
men. He said OF his visit here that he
came first 10 observe the condition of
the labor movement in America and
learn in what respects IL differed from
that in England; and second, as a mem
Der 81 parliament TO visit congress and
get grasp OF American political az
fairs lie continued:
Il have boon watching the labor movement
in America as closely rs I could from DIS
tancc, and have concluded that there must be
"a little more of the milk OF human Kindness
injected into labor affairs n they are 10 prog
ross as would like to see them progress
Mr. Burns is inclined To believe that
among the cosmopolitan American
people il Is possible TO bring about
concerted action for holding the
wealthy in check TO prevent them
from increasing their holdings as rap
idly as heretofore and he will devote
particular hibtulloh w Nhc oNhhy VI
that problem.
But above all, he declared IL was
for trade unionism thai he was To
work lie believed that ultimately
the principles OF the trade union would
be universally regarded as necessary
for carrying out any movement for
human progress.
Mr. Burns attention was called TO a
recently published statement that he
had said American workmen were mo
better than African slaves" That
statement he replied ''is a super
structure OF misconstruction based on
a misunderstanding Of what said. "
Then he explained that his remarks
had concerned the condition OF the
Huugarians and Italians OF the coke
region as depicted in our blue books,
"and which. IL true" he added, sis
disgrace TO any civilized country on
the face of the globe.
In regard To the differences arising
in the English labor movement, Mr..
Burns said OF course they prevailed at
times, but the unions were generally
ali together, and had been singularly
trade unionism.
As for the socialist movement in
England, he said Il had scome TO stay.
1t will grow as IL adapts itself TO cir
cumstances and as long as IL conforms
20 the conventions which have for SO
long made the upper and middle
classes the ruling power. Socialism
MS IL affects municipal matters is not
mixed uPwith other issues.
NEW York, Dec. g. Cooper union was
crowded TO its utmost capacity Mon
day night on the occasion of mass
meeting OF trades-unionists called TO
welcome 90 America John burns apd
David Holmes. tic champions OF Che
rights of English worlIingmen, who
are on q visit Co this country. Samuel
Gompers. president OF the American
Federation of Labor. presided. and in
an address OF welcome referred Go the
guests as men who stand primarily for
the organization of the wage-workcrs
of the world in trades unions fos the
purpose Of present protection and flu
ture emancipation.
When John Burns rose to speak he
IttEANtNA tAI ONhAlhAs anu ~ was nNHiN
time before he could proceed. He de-
scribed himself as born In a work.
ingman', house, raised IN the streets,
receiving education in the factory and
finally qualifying for higher duties in
the prison and ultimately parliament"
lie deprecated the condition of affairs
existing all over the world az this
period. and continuing. said:
Long hours low wages strikes, dostitu-
tion crime. poverty. drunkenness and prOsti-
tuition show that this Is not the happicst of
worlds FOR workers The duties OF workmen
are thr6e--nrst a. workmen. second cit
teens third human beings
Considering the FIRST. Mr. Burns said
that as worlSmcn "A method should be
determined to provide work for the
unemployed and remove the causes
that enslavcd the skilled mechanic,
lie refuted the idea that workman
could raise himself by the private en-
tcrprisc Of the individual This. he
said. could not be- done except at the
cost OF reducing his fellows for his