The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-21
JOHN M'BRIDE HERE
A GENIAL MAN OF PLEASANT ADJ
DRESS BUT RETIRING MANNER.
VIII Not Talk of the Brooklyn Strike,
but Talks Freely on Labor Or
CARNATIONS In General.

John Mcbride, the new president of the
American Federation of Labor, whose ma
tional headquarters were removed to this
city by the convention at Denver last De-
cember, arrived in this city yesterday noon,
from Columbus O., to take charge of the
affairs of the organization Mr. Mcbride
registered at the Spencer House, and dur
ing the afternoon he was in consultation
with several local labor people. He was
seen last night by Journal reporter. Mr..
Mcbride is not at all like the pictures
drawn of labor leaders. On the other hand,
he is quiet, reticent and very backward
about expressing opinions upon matters of
interest to the federation or labor. What
he says is purely in a business way. Mr..
Mcbride would express opinion Of the
Brooklyn streetcar strike, of the prob
abilities of a general strike being ordered.
1.-The strike has not been called to my at
tention in an official manner" he said,
land it would be wrong for me to express
an opinion, which would be purely per-
sonal The trades unions of Brooklyn can
go out in sympathy if they choose, without
consulting the officials of the federation.
The men out do not belong to the fedora
ton, but to the knights of Labor, so you
see it is not matter for me to talk about"
Mr.. Mcbride is in the prime of life.
ne 10 purify, anu Ills IidIAuS SHOW Tic CncCl
of toll They are calloused, and the finger
nails are worn. Mr.. Mcbride is miner by
trade, but during the past few years he has
been interested in the affairs of organized
labor. He wears a SLOUGH hat standing
collar and bow tie. He looks like pros
porous working man, and such he is. His
face has a healthy glow, and his hair is
slightly gray. He wears mustache, which
does not hide the strong and kindly lines
about the mouth When ne talks his whole
countenance lights up with expression and
he emphasizes what he says by gestures
made with both hands. A favorite position
with him is to place his thumbs in the arm
holes of his vest push his hat to one side,
cross his legs and lean back in his chair
and listen to what others have to say. He
is better listener than talker. Such is
brief description of the man whose inf1u-
ence can tie up the commercial interests of
the United States if he but saw fit But
such is not his intentions. he says. 1t
was said, shortly after Mr.. Mcbride was
there We're to be some sensa tional develop
ments; that the fedora ton was going to be-
gin aggressive war upon capital and
1T is ali bosh," Mr.. Mcbride said last
night, when asked as to the truth of the
report. THE federation will continue to
pay strict attention to business and no radi-
cal changes are contemplated"
What do you think of the Brooklyn
porter asked.
'All in the world / know of it is what I
have read in the newspapers" replied Mr.
Mcbride. raising his hands. and spreading
his fingers for the sake of emphasis 1T
seems that the men have gone out insist
ing upon the enforcement of the ten hour
law of the State of New York The author
tiles have called out the militia to enforce
some of the laws, but it seems no attempt
has been made heretofore to enforce the
ten hour law. Now, mind you, this is what
I gather from the reports, but 1 have re-
ceived word as president of the fedora
ton. In the West there are several trade
unions of street car men belonging to the
federation, but I guess the men in Brook
lyn all belong to the Knights of Labor.
There several trade unions in that city
belonging to the federation, and they can
strike If they desire upon the consent of
their local officers. If general strike was
contemplated, this office would probably be
consulted, at least we would be notified"
From the conversation which followed
ii seemed that Mr.. Mcbride thinks the mis-
sion and strength of labor organizatio
lies in the effort to have laws adopted bene-
these laws are enforced. He does not con-
denim strikes, but thinks that at times they
are necessary. The power of the organiza-
ton should rest. he intimated, in the ballot
box although he wanted it distinctly un-
derstood that. politics should not enter into
the affairs of an organization.
THE condition of labor organizations is
much better in England than it is here
here, but if we had the independent spirit
here, which prevails there, it would be
much better for US. The party lines there
are not so rigidly drawn. One party may
be in power to-day and out tomorrow, at
the pleasure of the people. Organized la
Dor there votes more for men and prin-
ciples than it does for party"
Mr.. Mcbride will make indianapolis his
home so long as this city is the national
headquarters of the federation and he Is
president The offices of the federation
which have been located in the De Sofa
Building, will employ about six men. The
printing of the federation's paper viii be
] done by coUtgacla