The morning call., 1895-01-28
RAILWAY MEN UNITE.
Sreetcar Employees Form a
Strong Union.
THE WORK QUIETLY DONE.
They Do Not Propose to Strike Unless
They Are Compelled.
LABOR COUNCIL BACK OF THEM.
Every Line in the City Represented
at the Meeting in Union
Labor Hall.
LABOR COUNCIL BACK OF THEM

The Street-ra1lroad employees or San
Francisco have formed a union and pro-
pose to become quite factor among the
labor organizations of the city.
1t is not the intention of those bringing
the men together to have any such scenes
as have occurred on the streets of Brooklyn
reproduced here. In fact the organization
was brought about to prevent any such
action on the part of the army of men
who are liable to become desperate when
the proposed reduction in wages takes
place next month.
For the past few weeks the executive
committee-of the Labor Council has been
quietly at work among the street-railway
men and accomplished the appointment of
committees on every road in the city.
The meeting last night at Labor Union
Hall on Mission street was for the pur-
pose of hearing the reports of the COM
mittees and, if warranted, taking some
action thereon.
The full membership of the executive
committee of the council was present
Vice President Macarthur addressed the
railway men on the objects of the forma-
ton of the union. He said a great many
men were afraid to attach themselves to
any organized body for fear of strike
being ordered or some other desperate
measure being adopted. He desired to
assure the railroad men of the city that
such step would not be countenanced,
except as a last resort, and that by their
utilization with the Labor Council the pos
sibility of a strike occurring was very re-
mote.
81 know great many people who are
not attached to any union think that the
members of the executive committee of
the Labor Council are agitators who live
on the fat of the land at the expense of
the wage-earners. We are agitators in one
sense of the word. We desire the better
ment of every working man in the world,
and will continue to agitate until we have
secured our just ends.
s:Now, you gentlemen who are here to-
night represent the largest body of unor-
ganized workmen in the city. The first
question which naturally arises is: What
can we do for you? We can assist you in
forming an organization which will COM
mand the respect of your employers which
| as individuals you cannot secure. You
will be enabled to resist the proposed cut
| of Is per cent in your wages on the 18th of
next month by a united effort. l do not
mean by that strike. Far from it. But
| by being united you can secure shorter
hours and better wages by honorable
means"
| The reports of the various committees
were encouraging. In fact, the delegates
were instructed to go ahead with the for
nation of the union. From the general
| <1f
| the workers from the oilers on the streets
to the conductors on the cars, were in favor
of the union and would give it moral and
financial support providing they could be
assured there would be no desperate actions
resorted to.
| NJ. NJ. McGlynn, president-elect of the
council, said he had talked with great
many railway men, and found the desire
to form a union almost universal. "Of
course" the speaker said, "this is consid-
cred a bad time to form such an organiza-
ton, but want to tell you, my friends,
that such times as these are the proper
moments for men to organize. There was
time when the mention of unionism car
ried with it fear of strike. Let me assure
the railway men present that that time has
gone by.
"It is for the purpose of keeping hot
headed and rash men from jumping into
strikes and thereby damaging their fellow
workman's as well as their own interests
that unions are formed. Surprising the
threatened reduction takes place on the
railways of this city and the employees are
unorganized. What would be the result?
Some quick-tempered man would propose
a strike and on the impulse of the moment
the action would be taken. Under union
such thing could not occur. If griev-
ance arose it would be the duty of the
union to endeavor to have the matter recti-
fed. If the union failed the Labor Coun-
Gil would try arbitrate. But under
stand this, every man in the union would
| have voice in the final action on a
declaration of strike. Of that there is no
danger while men are cool-headed and go
about their business deliberately"
Upon vote being taken among the
committees it was decided to form tenn
porary organization, and, for the present,
have the officers of the Labor Council act
| for them. The name of sThe Street Rail-
way Employees Union" was selected, with
NJ. M. McGlynn, president; N. Macarthur,
vice-president; E. P. Burman, recording
secretary; w. Zahn. financial secretary /;
and J. Nugent treasurer, as officers for the
time being.
Next Saturday night the union will meet
in Labor Hall to hear the further reports
of the committees and enroll those MEM
bers secured during the week.