The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-29
STORY Of THE A, R. u. STRIKE,
A Newspaper Reporter Tells of
Its Inception.
Taking of Testimony Commenced in
the Debs Trial.
A Bright Word Picture Painted by the
Leaders TO Members OF
the Union.

CHICAGO, Jan. 2S.-The first witness placed
on the stand by the government in the Debs
trial today was Wallace Rice, a reporter for
the Chicago Herald and a member of local
union 1856 Of the A. R. U. at Pullman. His ex-
animation was conducted by Edwin Walker.
Rice was led by the questions of the govern
ments counsel to relate the proceedings of the
A. r. U. convention of June 23d last the
plan OF the prosecution being to show that the
conspiracy began at that convention and every
step taken by the convention was link in the
chain of conspiracy. Mr.. Rice said that Debs'
opening speech at the convention congratu-
ated the union that its organization was the
first not OF distinct class in its character, but
included all branches of the railroad en-
ployees, and as such it was destined to over
come and absorb all others which were not
adapted by the nature OF their organization to
successfully combat railroads. 1t would be-
come so strong that no corporation dare assall
1t and would be able to dictate its own terms.
The Pullman strike and the con iltion of the
workmen, he said, was first brought to the at
ten ion OF the convention on June loth by
member OF the local union at that p.aee, MI
Debs opened he subject on the part OF the
union ia speech in which he denounced
Pullman's corporation as monumental mon
strosity-an octopus and said that the time
had come to stop it, Pullman had hoisted the
DlacA nag OF conspiracy, and he proposed 10
sink it and cut of the Pullman cars from the
railroads. This speech was received with
cheers. George Howard had followed Mr.
Debs and had thrown wet blanket over the
discus ion by opposing the boycott PROPOSE
ton. lie said the union was not strong
enough to make successful fight The result
was the appointment of a committee to wait
on Mr.. Wlcks, to secure arbitration. The com
mittee reported that Mr.. Wicks refused
to treat with them r and said 1t ot had
was ferTed to the board of directo s.
On the 2lst the board reported in favor of Civ
ing Mr. Pullman five days in which to arbi-
lrate, under penalty OF cutting out his cars
from all the railroads After the adoption OF
this resolution Mr.. Debs said if any railroad
attempted to enjon the union from interior
ing with the Pullman cars the entire system
OF that road would b, tie up.
on the evening of June Goth the strike was
inaugurated at mass meeting in the Empire
iheater Mr. Debs delivered an address in
which he again referred to the Pullman COM
pany as monumental octopus. Debs said the
strike was to be battle to the death. and it
Managers association that of the union,
Mr. Howard advised the nan to take lesson
from railroads and combine, and sid any
man who refused to stand by the strikers as
& scah. The witness then related the manner
OF conducting the strike. guard stood out
side Nj. Debs' private office, and no one was
admitted during the receipt OF kilograms Until
al er the close of business when reporters
were permitted to copy the kilograms.
The government requested an examination
of this witness, and Mr.. Darrow took up the
for the defense. The greater
part OF the time was taken up reviewing the
proceedings OF the convention.
"YoI were witness before til grand jury in
Milwaukec, were you not?" asked Mr.. barrow.
eyes, SIR
"Did you not travel to Milwaukee on a
pass?p
~ did"
"Do you not know that you and Mr. Miller
violated the interstate commerce law?"
Mr. Darrow's cross-examlnation was contn-
ued during the afternoon. The government
has subp@naed 80 witnesses.