The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-13
DEBs' POSITION.
What Was Done at Executive Com
mittee Meeting This Morning.


CHICAGO, July 13.-Mr. Il. V. Debs arose
early this morning and called his execu-
tive officers together at Ulrich's Hall.
They held a close conference for some
thing like half an hour and about $3.50
Nr. Debs appeared and said:
:" I'm view OF the enormous proportions
which this strike has assumed and
the tremendous sacrifice TO public and
private interests, we Will today
submit a proposition to the General
Managers Association declaring the
strike off on condition that they reinstate
our men,"
The proposition was formulated last
night in conference between Debs, Sow
ereign and Gompers, and it was agreed
that in case the General Managers re-
fused the wishes of Debs, Gompers
ehould call out the National Federation
OF Labor throughout the country. Debs
was asked what would be the effect in
case the General Managers refused to re-
3nstate the men, After pause he added:
"The strike will settle back then to the
original grievance between Pullman and
his employees"
President Debs then left Ulrichs Hall
TO call upon the Mayor. On his way he
pompanied him. At the Mayors Office they
held q conference for a bout fifteen minutes.
At its conclusion, Mayor Hopkins said
"These gentlemen came to me with
proposition to call the strike off, il
the General Managers Association
will agree to take back all employees
who have not been arrested for any Of
iense against the law and have asked
sent it.os' Alderman Mcaillen vent vent
TO the office of the General Managers Asso-
citation, but Debs, Howard and Sovereign
having been informed that the General
Manager would not treat with them re-
kurued IN their hotela
When the Mayor arrived at the offic OF
the General Managers Association, he
found that the regular meeting had ad-
journed and Mr.. Il. st. John OF the Rock
Island was the only General Mann & ,r
present. Mr.. st. John said that he would
the next meeting. lie was re-
Quested to call O special meeting, but
declined TO do so. He consented to listen
to the gentlemen because they were the
Mayor and a prominent member of the
city council. After leaving the PROPOSE
tion with Mr.. st. John, the Mayor re-
turned TO his office.
Chairman Egan said Informally: "The
General Managers will, under no
circumstances, have n conference with
Mr.. Debs on any subject. They will re-
tain in their employ the men who filed
the strikers places and are competent"
Mr.. st. John said later that the pro-
position would not be submitted to meet
Ing of the General Managers today and
would not be considered by them before
their regular meeting tomorrow. "If,"
ne added significantly, "it be considered
NJ ALL"
When Debs was ask ed today by Sovereign
what would be done in case the General
Managers refused to reinstate the men,
Debs replied: 1--WE shall call our execu-
tive board together and determine upon
. course OF action"
Sovereign said that as soon as the strike
was declared of by Debs he should issue
On order calling of that OF the Knights OF
Labor.
Mayor Hopkins states that he urged
Mr.. Egan to try to have the trouble set
tied, representing to him that such a
settlement would leave TIE laboring men
In good humor and they would, as
soon as the strike was declared off, each
hunt 70 a position. He also said that
unless there was declaration OF an end
20 the strike, there might be some
hot heads who would still persist in
overtacts, stating further that II IL in the
interests OF the State that the strike be
declared of as ii Is now under an expense
OF $4,000 day In maintaing the militia
In the city.
Mr.. Egan, however, talked as II. so far
~ the railroads are concerned, there was
no longer and strike"
Mayor Hopkins, on his return to hfs
Office, sent for President Debs. The latter
left labor headquarters Mt Uhlichs Hall at
ID. m, TO visit the Mayor.