The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-03-15
Los ANGELES ExCrrED.
The city Ana ous 10 Get the Industrial
Legion started

The city Ans Gus 10 Get the Industrial
Legion started
Los ANGELES, Cal, March 15.-Today
at q regular meeting Of the city council,
the city hall was suddenly filled with la
boring men. who are members of what
they call the United States Army Of the
Unemployed Their spokesman was
Joe 0 Brien. who introduced himself as
quartermaster general of the army. He
said
I'VE desire TO appeal TO the city coun-
ell to aid US in getting to Washington
We have an organization Of 500 men on
our muster rolls anxious and willing to
work, and we want to go TO w ashing
ton and lay our grievance
before the lawgivers. 7 served three
years and eight months at the cannon's
mouth, and in 81 lay on the street with
the curbstone for pillow, and we are
ready to 90 to Washington and lie on the
curbstOne again If we can have a chance
to present our grievances 10 the men al
the nations capital who have neglected
to do their duty, and who have brought
about the present distressful condition.
We want YOU to intercede for us. We
are quiet and orderly citizens and VIII be
a credit TO your city wherever we go,
and intend TO always obey the laws Of
our country, under the old dag that still
floats over us"
WIN Capture the Railroads.
ssDo you want us to ask the railroads
to transport you to Washing asked
Councilman Munson.
~ es, sir" said O'Brien. owe want to
20 as far as the railroads viii carry US.
We have said nothing to the railroad
companies and would like YOU to inter
cede for US. There were 500 men last
night who lay on the bare floor Of our
barracks. and we want to take them on
to Washington These men are doing
odd Jobs wherever they can get their
bread. and. by heaven, it is a degrading
spectacle for an American citizen to see
those men lying on the bare floor with
out covering when the country
is in a prosperous condition. The
God who reigns over US has given US
bountiful crops, our storehouses are full
of grain and the bank vaults are full of
mOnev and yet want and hunger and
misery stalk through the land These
men are starving in the midst Of plenty
like many thousands Of their brothers.
We have no one but American citizens on
our muster rolls, and the q uicker we get
out Of here the better it viii be for the
city. We don't want to get left in the
desert. We want to leave here in peace.
Some people say the railroads viii not
take us If they do not, am sorry e
say we viii take the railroads. Ia the
name of God, gentlemen. help as to get
away"
sNhat do you mean by saying you VIII
take the railroads. asked Councilman
eve must get to Washington,7 re-
sponded Mr.. O'Brien. "If we do not 20
with the consent Of the railroad officials
we viii have to take the trains and 90 to
Washington, and / am sorry to say it,
The EeeI1nertsI Commands.
The next speaker for the industrial
army was Colonel Gould, who is in com
mand of the regiment which has just
been formed, and who is likewise an old
soldier.
III would like you, gentlemen, to visit
our barracks tonight. said be. "Ihen you
VIII be able to judge of the character Of
the men who are in our ranks.
They are all good citizens and
good square men who want work
and can't get it. we are trying to make
provision to carry our men to Washing
ton. and want you to intercede for us.