The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-20

ed from the bench to the doorways when
President Debs took the witness chair.
NOW tell as, in your own way, Mr..
Debs." said Commissioner Wright, what
you know Of the Pullman strike and re-
suits"
Leaning forward in his seat, the tall
leader Of the great strike began in
low clear voice recital
which gradually became more earnest
and f0rcible as he proceeded until it de-
velOped almost into an OratiOn- He told
of having received word that strike in
Pullman was imminent and of his COM
ing to Chicago to Investigate.
Il fonnd," be said, that the men were
working for the Pullman company at
wages upon which they could not live.
I found that salaries had been cut time
and again until skilled mechanics were
working their lives away for wages not
sufficient for q day laborer; that the
town Of Pullman, with its shops, its
houses and its stores. was SO schemed
that every penny the working man made
found its way back to the company.
IN fact 1 found the working men of
Pullman in a pitiable condition and de-
termined l would do all in my power as
president of the A r U. to improve the
condition of those men. The strike fol-
lowed, ordered by the men themselves
Then came the boycott ordered Oy duly
elected delegates to our convention and
dered by the various local unions, each
Of which had grievances Of its own"
Pullman Strike the Prime Cause.
Mr. Debs then told of the strike. his
account differing from that of the other
A. r. L. officials who had preceded him
on the witness stand.
Would the railroad strike have oc-
Cured If there had been no Pullman
troubles' asked Commissioners Wright.
mo; the Pullman strike was the prime
cause. We desired to stop Pullman
cars and shut of his income, thus fore
ing him to arbitrate. But the rail
road men had grievances of their own.
The general managers association had
been organized with the avowed inren-
ton Of giving assistance to railroads in
abOr troubles.
The evident aim was to drive organ
lied labor from existence. No sooner
had this org an lzatiOn been formed than a
systematic reduction of railroad wages
all over the country began. The cuts
were made on one road At a time, but the
systematic regularity with which they
appeared was sufficiently signi ficant
The men were ready TO strike and felt
they had cause
"But the trouble would not have come
when II did had il not been for the Pull
man matter. The time was unpropitious
business was depressed and money
was scarce. did not order the strikes
-N@A A~~ ZIG pDWcI ne men OlQ II
themselves But do not wish to shirk
any responsibility and am willing to say
that heartily concurred and approved
in the action taken by the men,
AS TO violence, l always condemn il.
/ have written and spoken against IL he
Ieving and knowing that a strike can
not be won by violence AS to the tele-
grams sent from our Office counselinr
violence know Of no such epistles."
The Buy a Gum Telegram.
'sWhat about the aBuv a Onn, tale
gram" asked Commissioner Herman
THAT is easily explained The tele-
gram was sent by private secretary to
a friend In Butte and was merely a play
ful expression. IL was sent as such and
was 80 understood"
Mr. Debs then said that vvi+b5, eva
days after the strike was declared the
bnien had the railroads beaten. '.They-