The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-12-03

New YoRK. Dec 2.-AmonG the pass
engers on tho CunRrd steamer Etruria,
which arrived here this morning, was
John Burns, Mp. the great socialist
and labor leader OF London. A delega.
tiOn from tho labor organizations OF
New York City met him at quarantine
The delegation consisted Of E. F. Nc
Sweeney, assistant commissioner OF
labor, Samuel Gompers, president Of
the American Federation OF Labor,
Chris Evans, SECRETARY Of the orgnniza.
ton, and William O'Brien, tine walking
delegate.
Mr.. Burns is accompanied on his
pre'ent trip Ivy two fellow members OF
parliament. Mr.. David Holmes, who
represented the town OF Burnley, in
Lincolnshire. and who is president Of
the Wcavers' Association and delegate
to the conference of the Federation OF
Labor, and Mr.. John Williams Benn,
member Of the London county council
and N. P. for st. Georges, East.
Mr.. Benn is deeply interested in tenn
peranCe affairs.
Mr.. Burns. after he had greeted the
committee, asked to be excused for
moment while he glanced over II letter
from a relative which had been handed
to him by Mr.. Gompers, pleading that
"the soIdity OF labor began in the
household" Then he talked to the
representatives OF the Associated Press.
ut would be unfair for the American
people for me to talk about them now"
MIR. Burns said, "ior really know very
little about them. was pleased with
the result OF your recent municipal
election IN New York City, for, as we
understood it, the victory was III the
interest OF pure municipal politics, and
as nv principal work at present is as
county councillor, it was particularly
interesting 70 me.
"As for the Socialist movement in
England, it has come to stay. 1t will
grow rs it adapts itself to circumstances.
Socialism as it affects municipal mat
ters is not mixed up with other issues.
~ have beem watching the labor
movement in America as closely as l
could from distance and ! have con-
cluded that there must be little more
of the milk OF human kindness injected
into labor affairs if they are to progress
as would like to see them progress"
On the dock were gathered about 200
members OF the local labor unions " no
cheered loudly for John Burns" as he
walked down the gang plank.
Then an informal reception was
rendered TO him and Mr.. Dumar, OF
Typographical Union No. 6, made q
brief speech Of welcome.
In responding Mr.. Burns said it was
an agreeable coincidence, that he, who
had been go strongly identified with
the docks in England, should make his
first speech in America on dock with
the rattle OF trucks and the swash OF
water in his ears.
Mr.. David Holmes followed with q
few remarks and then the party pro-
ceeded, democratically, on foot, TO the
Colonnade hotel along West street. On
many OF the corners we're gathered
group ps OF dock laborers and cattlemen
who cheered lor Burns as he approach
ed and many OF them who had come
from London greeted him with the old
cry OF tho London dock strike, "How
are Won. Johu?" to which inquiry Mr..
Burns responded by stopping aud shak-
ing hands with them.
Later in the day Mr.. Burns received
number Of newspaper men and talked
for an hour.
OF his own visit, he said he came first
TO observe the condition OF the labor
movement in America, and in what re-
spect it differs from that in England;
and second, as member oil parliament.
10 visit Congress and get grasp oil
American political affairs.
The workings OF the labor department
under Carroll D. Wright were OF great
interest TO him. Mr.. Burns is inclined
to believe that among the cosmopolitan
American people it is possible to bring
about concerted action for holding the
wealthy in check, to prevent them from
increasing their holdings as rapidly as
and he will devote particular
ottention 10 the study of that problem.
But above all, he declared, it was for
trade umonism that he was to work.
He believed that ultimately the princi'
ples of the trade union would be uni.
versally for carrying out any movement
for human progress.
In regard to the differences arising in
the English lnbor movement. Mr. Burns
said OF course thoy prevailed at times,
bnt the unions were generally all to.
gether and had been singuOrly success.
iul in separating politics and trade
nnionism. He was for fusion against
faction in affairs OF this kind, as applied
to international affairs.