The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-01
THE RAILROAD STRIKE
DEBs AND HIS FRIENDS say IT
WAS ADVISED By MAYOR
HOPKINS.
VICE PRES. HOWARD S STATEMENT

He Says That at a Meeting at the
Sherman House the Ex-MaYOr Told
Debs the Only Thing TO DO Was to
Tie Up the Roads that Hauled PULL
mans Cars and that Would Soon
Bring Him TO Terms-- III Toward is Cor
rObOTated by Debs.
CHICAGO, Ill, Aug. 31.-The Times
Herald will tomorrow print the follow
ing in its news column
Elk Mayor Hopkins of this city advised
the great railroad strike of 1894, which
ended in such disastrous loss of property
and life.
This assertion is made by Geo. W.
Howard, President and ex member
Of the Board of Directors of he Ameri-
can Railway Union, and is confirmed by
Eugene V. Debs, President of the Ameri
can Railway Union. Mr.. Howa.d to-
day said:
'Mayor Hopkins did advise Debs to
tie up the railroads and there are wit
nesses to prove il. 1t is the truth, and
the ex-MayOr cannot deny it. | Iremem-
Der the meeting well 1t happened in
this way;
1.-THE convention was in session in
Uirich's Hall, and the question was how
to bring Pullman to terms. 1t was some
time previous to the ordering of the
strike against the railroads that we re-
ceiyed the word that Mayor Hopkins
would like to see us.
''Debs and /, OfcOurse, were willing to
meet the mayor. We met him in the
Sherman House. There was with him
Mr. SecOTd and one or two city officials
and a newspaper representative. Intro
ductions followed, and then the pro
spectiye strike became the topic said;
I believe 81 know how we can bring Pull
man to terms. If we can stop work at
his repair shops we can eventually stop
the running of his ears
''Mr. SecOrd spoke up, objecting to
my plan, and said the best thing was to
refuse to haul Pullman sleepers, Mayor
Hopkins then spoke up and said: That's
right; tie them up, Debs, tie them up.
If you only get one or two roads it will
shut off the revenue and bring the old
man to arbitration. | knew him for a
good many years and l know he will
continue to fight. The shops don't cut
much figure. The only thing to do is to
tie up some of the lines that haul his
cars"
"What did Mr.. Debs say 2"
''He had little to say, but he made
some remark to the effect that he be-
lieved the mayor was right, and it was
the best way to bring Pullman to some
agreement.
a representative of the Times Herald
visited the McHenry county jail at
Woodstock, where Eugene Debs is serv-
ing the sentence imposed for contempt
of court. HoWard's statement, as given
above, was outlined to him.
THAT statement" said Mr.. Debs, sis
substantially correct" | did not feel
that it would be quite right for me to re-
peat what Mr.. Hopkins said on that oc-
casion. 1t has been a good while since
then and no public mention has ever yet
been made of the conversation. l would
not of my accord repeat it, but since you
asked me whether it is true, I can't
deny it without lying and if l refuse to
discuss the matter its truthful
ness will be taken for granted. did
not understand that the conversation
was altogether private. Secrecy was not
enjoined, but at the same time l have
some delicacy about speaking of it. If
the Mayor thought he was right, did
not see why he should hesitate to stand
by what he said.
81 was very much impressed with
what Mr.. Secord and Mayor Hopkins
said about bringing Mr. Pullman to
terms by refusing to haul Pullman cars.
We thought at the time that the public
would be with us and we were willing to
handle all trains if the sleepers were dis
connected"
Mr.. Hopkins was at one time an EN-.
ploye of the Pullman Co., but was after
wards discharged by Mr. Pullman.