The San Francisco call., 1896-01-23
DEBS WESTWARD BOUND
The Popular American Railway Union
President Will Stand by Or
ganized Labor.

The regular meeting of the American
Railway Union No. 345 was held last even
ing and letter was read that caused great
enthusiasm. Several times recently dis
patches from the East have appeared in
the local papers announcing that the
president of the National a. R. o., Eu-
gene V. Debs, was about to retire from the
presidency and have nothing more to do
with labor unions. The secretary of the
local union at once wrote to Mr.. Debs' pri-
vate secretary, Mr.. Benedict, at Terre
Haute, Ind, asking if these reports were
true. He said that the mem bers of the
A. r. U. were much disturbed over the re-
ports. Last evening the secretary re-
ceived letter. from Secretary Benedict in
which the latter wrote:
There is no truth in the published report
that Brother Debs is going out of organized Ia
Dor. He is president of the A. 4. U. and he
will win out in this fight, or die. There will
be no let up OF our batteries, you may depend
upon 1t.
The letter caused great rejoicing. Presi-
dent Debs is now in Texas lecturing and
working in every city and town where the
railroads have so much as water-tank
tender. More than that he is working
toward California, and is liable at most
any time to bob up in this State. What
his plans are but few people know.
Hereafter when q member in good stand
ing of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners becomes i'll or is in need of medi-
cines he can secure the services of physi-
clan and purchase medicines at very
small cost.
The District Council of the carpenters
and Joiners perfected arrangements to
this end at its meeting last evening.
The final arrangements were made where
by member of the craft upon the presen-
tation of his working-card can receive the
services of a reputable doctor at the rate
of 81 visit and all prescriptions will be
filled at the carpenters drugstores for 25
cents each.
Last evening letter was read at the Dis
trict Council from the National secretary,
2. ]. Mcclure, at Philadelphia commend
ing the local unions for making this pro-
vision for their sick brothers.
The National secretary also approved of
the bylaws recently adopted by the local
unions.
The National secretary sent something
besides approval. 1t was draft for 500,
which will be used for organizing pur-
poses in San Francisco, San Jose. Sacra-
mento and Stockton. Unions will also be
formed in every town where there are
enough carpenters to secure charter.
Organizer E. L. MaulsDury will start out
on his work at once. He will probably 90
to Sacramento first. No missionary work
will be necessary in Santa Cruz, as strong
young union has been recently formed
there.
The Granite-cutters' Union met last
evening and a letter was read from the
National headquarters stating that tn e
National union is in a better condition
than IL has been for years. there being
more money in the treasury than there
has been for years. An important matter
was disclosed. At recent meeting the
scale of wages was changed so that work
will be paid for by the piece, on a basis of
So 80 for eight hours labor. A COMMITTEES
presented the new bill to the principaI
contractors and last evening the report of
the conference was made. 1t was that the
contractors did not oppose the new bill
very energetically, but they expressed a
preference for the sliding scale system and
payment by the hour. The granite-cut-
,ters adopted the provisions OF the new
bill.