The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1894-08-24
DEBS HAS A SAY
And Gives HIS story Of the Strike
to the Federal Investigating
Committee.
DID NOT ORDER the STRIKE
II Was Brought About by the Pitiable
Condition Of the Employees
at Pullman.

CHICAGO, Aug. 2l.-The A. r. U.
president, f. V. Debs, was witness be-
fore the strike committee today. The
court room was crowded from bench to
doorways.
"Now, tell us in your own way, Mr..
Debs," said Commissioner Wright" t,"what
YOU know Of the Pullman strike and its
results"
Leaning forward in his seat the tall
leader of the great strike began in low,
clear voice recital which gradually be-
came more earnest and forcible as he
proceeded until it developed into almost
an oration. He told of having received
word that strike in Pullman was immi-
nent and of his coming to Chicago to in
vestigate. 81 found that salaries had
been cut time and again until skilled
mechanics we're working their lives away
for wages not sufficient for day laborer;
that the men were working for wages
upon which they could not live; that
the town Of Pullman was 30 schemed
that every penny a workingman made
found it's way back to the company. In
fact, | found the workingmen Of Pullman
ina
PITIABLE CONDITION.,
and determined that would do all in
my power as president Of the A. X. U, to
improve the condition Of these men. The
strike followed, ordered by the men
themselves. Then came the boycott, or
dcred by duly elected delegates to ouI
convention, and then followed the rail
road strikes, ordered by the various loca
unions, each of which had grievance OF
its own"
"What about the buy gun tele
gram" asked the commissioner.
"That is easily explained The tele
gram was sent by my private secretar!
to a friend in Butte and was merely
playful expression. 1T was sent as sucf
and WAS 30 understood
would the railroad strike have oc
Cured il there had been no Pullman
trouble?" asked the commissioner.
mo; tine Pullman strike was tn
PRIME cause. We desired to
STOP PULLMAN CARS
and shut off his income, thus forcin
him to arbitrate, but the railroad me-
made the Pullman employees grievanc
their own. The General Managers asso
citation had been organized with tn
avowed intention Of giving assistance
railroads in labor troubles. The eviden
aim was to drive organized labor froI
existence No sooner had this associt
ton been formed than systematic n
dvction of railroad wages all over th
country began. The men we're ready
strike and felt they had cause, but tt
trouble would not have come when
did had it not been for tho Pullms
matter. The time was unpropitious,
did not order the strike. had not II
power. The men did that themselve
but do not wish to shirk any r
sponsibility and am willing to say
heartily concurred in and approved Il
action taken by the men. As to violene
Ialways condemned it, l have WRITE
and spoken against il, believing al
knowing that strike cannot be won
violence, as to the kilograms sent fro
our Office, counselling violence, | kno
of no such epistles. "Debs then sa
within five days after the strike was 9
declared the union
HAD THE RAILROAD BEATEN.
'They were paralyzed he said but
functions were sown broadcast a
shortly after the officials Of the A. r.
we're arrested for contempt OF cou
That beat us. About this time G'
Miles came to Chicago, called on
General Managers association and
next day he was quoted in an intervi
saying he had broken the backbone
the strike. Now consider that call
Gen. Miles as vulgarly out OF place
had no more right to consult with
General Managers association than
had to consult with our unions.
might say too, its seems strange that
our letters and kilograms we're. mi
public property, while not line Of
railroads correspondence was publish
1T had been / think We could pr
that the General Managers associat
at secret meeting declared that Il
would stamp the A. r. U. out
aYiatanco