The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-10-25
G. W. Ficks, Alleged Railroad
Agent, Unmasked
RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS
La Rue and Stanton Commended fol-
Their Action
In Reducing Freight Rates-A Lively Meeting
Of Labor Representatives at Turn
verein Hall List Night

George W. Ficks, who was sent to this
city for the purpose of invelgling the in
dustrlal classes into protesting against
the action of Railroad Com missioners La
Rue and Stanton in making a % per cent
horizhntal cut in the Southern Pacific
feright rates, met with a warm reception
at the hands of the intelligent repressn-
tatives OF industry of this city. His little
scheme had been fathomed before its au-
thor, or rather the agent of its author,
h al arrived, and he was met in open
warfare and openly exposei and routed.
Mr.. Ficks haj anticipated something
himself, and he, the representative of the
laboring man. took the prscaution to call
on Chief Glass for police protection
against his fellow labore-s whom he has
come to serve.
Turnvereln hall was fairly well filled,
though many refused to have anything
to dv with meeting the purposes OF
which were so plainly evident.
The Santa Catalina Marine band was in
attendance, and no collection was made
for the payment OF the music or the hall.
Mr.. Fichs opened the proceedings by
commencing on his speech, but was in
terrupted by call from the audience for
a chairman. s. A. Wadron was chosen
to fill that position, and tho speaker was
about to proceed when secretary was
demanded. J. R. Armstrong being the
unanimous choice.
Again taking the stand, Mr.. Ficks in-
PRODUCED himself az the representative of
the lat oring men of the northern part of
the state, and after an elaborate and we'll
studied attempt to show the disastrous
effects that the cut in freight rates would
have upon the laborins classes, introduced
set Of resolutions purporting to come
from the workinxmen of the north. in
which Railroad Commissioners La Rue
and Stanton were denou ced as enemies
of the people, and their action in reduc-
ing freight rates protested against: asked
that the resolutions be adopted by those
present.
During the course of his remarks the
speaker was repeatedly interrupted by
questions which ne did not see fit to an
swer. AT the conclusion of the reading
o. the resolutions a motion was made to
lay them on the table. 1t was carried
unanimously with storm OF applause.
Some one then rose and moved that reso-
luions endorsing the action OF the com
missioners be passed, and the proposition
was adopted on the moment.
II move that the comm ssioners be
asked to reduce the rate 10 per cent
lower" shouted an enthusiast and this
motion also prevailed amid tumultuous
cheers
The names of l.. D. Biddle and E. S.
Fulton we're called from the audience,
and shouts of speech Speech rang
through the hall until the two gentlemen
appeared.
and after briefly stating his experience
as one who had received the love and
| affection OF the Southern Pacific. wen
on to coment on the meeting.
| when | first saw the handful an
nouncing the meeting," said he, II
did not have to mold it to the light to
see the Southern Pacific water lines
through il. That this meeting was not
called in the interests OF labor or by any
one mpathizing with organized labor
the presence OF tie Santa Catalina band,
the only non union band IN the city,
abundantly proves. Furthermore tn 3
method of calling the meeting shows that
it was done by those unfamiliar with
labor union methods. Bat in addition
to these outward signs of its origin, can
state authoritatively that the council OF
labor had nothing to do with IT..
| AT this point Mr. F'Ioks, who had been
restlessly watching the proceedings from
| the wings of the stage, interrupted the
| speaker by informing him that the hall
had been paid for only until 9:30. This
| was received with Kisses from the crowd.
| Mr.. Biddle then read copy of resou-
tions from the council of ahor of Sacra-
mento, commendatory of the action of
the railroad mmissioners. They were
! adopted as expressing the sense of the
meeting.
S. L. Fulton then took up the fight. ad-
dressing himself particularly to the state
ments made by Mr.. Ficks. He said the
situation reminded him of the story of the
employer who had one Irishman among
his men who was of course a Democrat.
Speaking of Pats desire to have Cleve-
land re- elected the employer reasoned
that free trade would reduce the Iaborers
| wages from $l.50 to 81 per day. Pat re-
sponded that it was strange then that he,
the employer, should not also desire
Cleveland's reelection.
Now, said Mr.. Fulton, the Southern
Pacific occu pies similar position. If this
cut in freight rates is going to reduce
wages as Mr.. Fioks claims, the Southern
Pacific will be the gamer
The speaker then gave history of the
Southern Pacific railroad, after which he