Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-06-01

so. The meaning of all this was learned
later. 1t appears tlat two well-knoWn,
business men have been active in bring
ing about these later egotiations-James;
Morgan ana L. K. Hannifin. manager of
the L. a. Chapman Dry Goods company.
Just W hcn they took hold of the question.
is not known, but it was sometime last
week. Both of them possessed the conf
dence of the strikers as well as of bust
ness men, and it was especially in the in
terest of the latter that they desired to
secure d restoration Of peace and stop
the great injury to business which the
strike entailed. Through their efforts
Mr.. Payne and the other local directors
OF the railway company were brought into
conference with President Mahon, Secre-
tary Kelly and the strike leaders and,
they have held several meetings.
The differences after mutual concpS-
SiOnS had been made were so small that
it is said both sides must see that, in the
interest of the whole business of the,
city, an agreement ought to be reached.
Just what the propositions ON each side.
We're, in all their details, could not be.
learned. The strike leaders, however,,
wanted at least one-third of the men
out back to work at once, the other two
thirds to be placed on the reserve list;
each third to work alternate weeks.
This meant practically that all should
be taken back, but only one-third should
be employed at the same time; others
to be given regular work as vacancies:
arose.
Mr.. Payne, it is understood, said the.
company could give work to 300 of the
old employees at once; that the strikers
could select these men; that there was
no blacklist and that he would place
them all on the reserve list giving them
employment as vacancies arise; that no
more new men would be taken on
n 1t is expected thatsat these differences
can be adjusted and that the strike will
+ soon be over. -
The Strikers Refuse. Vi
The striking conductors and motor
men decided by a unanimous vote
sition made by the directors of the
Street Railway company to the men, and
the situation so far as settlement by
mediation is concerned, has resumed its
former status. The company having de-
clined to consider the suggestion made
in behalf of the men that they be taken
back to work in relays of 300 men each,
and the men having refused to accept
terms by which one-third may go into
employment at once, while the remainder
wait for positions, affairs stand the
same as they did before the intervention
of Messrs. Hannifn and Morgan.
But new phase has been throws
upon the situation by the arrival of a
telegram from President Gompers of the
Federation of Labor that he would be
here Thursday morning, coupled with
the fact that the executive committee
of the local Federated Trades council
held proracted meeting in secret.
Nompers Arrives.
Samuel Gompers of Indianapolis, pres
ident of the American Federation OF
Labor, came to town Thursday, and
Vice-President Payne of the Milwaukee,
Electric Railway and Light company
slept that night on another propositions
from the street car strikers.
Mr. .Gompers arrived at about IL
o'clock in the forenoon, and soon after
dinner went into conference with the
executive committee of the Street Rail-
way Employees association, the electrical
workers and committee of the FEEDER
ated Trades council. At this meeting
Mr. Gompers obtained the consent of the
men to a-prOpOSition, and Mr. GomperSs
Immediately set to work to pave the way
for laying it before the company's OIL
Gals.
when l left the conference with the
men," Mr.. Gompers said, Il penned q
not to Mr.. Payne requesting, in the in
\ terests of the railway employees as we'll
! as the people, an interview with view
to amicably adjusting the difficulties. |
received an affirmative reply, and about
o'clock l went to Mr.. Payne's Office.
Mr.. Pfster was also present, and we
were in conference until about $50. Mr..
Payne would not recede from his posi-
ton, or make any offer. The effect of
the boycott was gone over, the result of
its continuance, and the effect it might
bring about in legislation, local as well
as state, besides the refusal of the people
to resume the use of cars. Then Mr..
Payne said
- will maintain my position if the
heavens fall
Upon this declaration 1 made my
proposition, which he took under advise
ment. | will meet Mr.. Payne again Fri
day morning to receive his answer, which
l will give to the executive committee,
and report to the public at the mass,
meeting that night"