Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1894-07-13
FOR ARBITRATION NOW.
President Cleveland Will Ap-
point a Strike Commission.
LABOR LEADERS PROMISED PEACE.


Strikers should Cease. the President Has
Agreed 20 Appoint a Commission Under
the O'Neiu Labor Act TO Investigate.
WASHINGTON, July 13.-It was officially
announced at tho White House that the
president will appoint "a commission, by
the authority given him by the arbitration
act Of 1858, to investigate the labor trou-
blcs at Chicago and elsewhere and report
TO the president and congress. The COM
mission 20 be appointed has not been Sc
locted, and it will bo a number Of days
before the appointments are announced.
This determination ON tho part Of tho
president was arrived at after an interview
with Secretary Treasurer Hayes Of the
knights of Labor, Mr., Mcclure and G. n.
ronoh of the executive committee and
Mr. Schoenfahor who were introduced Co
the president by Senator Kyle and who
came bearing credentials from the Ameri-
can Railway union, the Pullman employ
ees and several labor organizations.
After discussing the various features Of
the situation for moro than an hour the
president promised that II the leaders
would return to Chicago and use their in
fuonco toward restoring peace and order
he would appoint tho commission as soon
as the disturbances had ceased TO such an
extont as TO render careful, thoughtful
Investigation possible.
Peace Is Promised.
The president laid great emphasis on
| the fact that no steps could bo taken in
| this direction until lawlossness had ceas-
| cd, and no made his promise contingent
on the pledge Of the labor leaders to see 20
| It that so far as organized labor is con-
corned the trouble at Chicago and else
whore will Immediately disappear.
There is no disposition on the part OF
the administration TO weaken in the stand
which It has taken, but the president fully
realizes the gravity OF the situation, and
while he will not tomporizo with the law
less element he is determined TO do all In
his power TO reach permanent solution
OF labor questions.
A telegram was received by the presi
dent from President Gompors and Others
of,tho Federation of Labor asking him TO
como TO Chicago or send a representative
20 confer with prominent labor leaders
concerning the situation No answer has
as yet been made 20 the invitation.
Tho usual consultation between the pres
idont Secretary Lamont, Attorney Gem
eral Olney and General Schoheld was held,
but no new orders were sent out. General
| Schoneld said after tho conference that
reports from all the troops in the field
except those in California had been re-
oclved and that all reported quiet and or
der Nothing was heard from General
Ruger In California, although word from
him was eagerly watched for.
General Schofeld said that he regarded
the strike as practically settled and that
ho did not anticipate any more rioting
or disorder.
John W. Hayes, the general secretary
treasurer Of the Knights Of Labor, gave
I out the following statement covering tho
committees interview with President
Cleveland;
] 1--WE had an hour talk with President
Cleveland for the purpose Of calling his
attention to the arbitration act of 1883 in
! troducod in tho house Of representatives at
? that time by Hon. John j. O'Neill Of Mis-
: souri,. The delegation consisted Of John
W. Hayes, general secretary treasurer;
0 | Thomas b. Mcclure and G. A. French of
{ the general executive board and J. G..
, Sohocnfabcr, editor Of The journal OF
Q knights of Labor
j. 81 had full authority from President
E. V. Debs Of the American Railway un-
3 ion and j. w. Heathooto Of the Pullman
employees 20 represent their interests and
7 oct on their behalf Senator Kyle Of South
D Dakota accompanied us and introduced
p US to the president.
Q "The president seemed pleased TO receive
I US and Immediately opened the subject 10y
. referring to the law which the parties In
J. tercsted desired 70 see enforced An houl
I was spent in discussing tho various pro
o visions Of the act which authorizes the
president on his own motion TO appoint
r two arbitrators, together with United
Q States Labor Commissioner Carroll ID
g Wright, to act as commission Of arbitra
Il ton and investigate and decide whal
70 should be done by either party to SETTLE
d the controversy. The commission has al
n OF tho powers necessary TO administer
Q oaths, subpoena witnesses, etc
II "The president finally decided TO ap
n point the commission and nt once so in
l. formed US, at the same time stating tina
70 he would name the arbitrators either Fri
d day or Saturday We expect TO secur
a much moro from this arbitration than tn
final settlement Of the present difficulty il
10 Chicago. While it is in itself a grea
70 victory for labor organizations and every
thing that the American Railway un
ion has fought for, it gives official recog
milton TO the Justice Of their demands 70
r. arbitration, and IL will lead much further
Of for in the movements of the future, whe
Of defects Of the present arbitration law hav
ss been made apparent by actual experience
,h prompt steps will bo taken to amend th
Al anna %