The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-11
HOW HE SAW THE STRIKE
PRESIDENT PRESCOTT, OF THE L. t.
u, RETURNS FROM CHICAGO.
Thinks the Trouble with StereOtypers
ON the Newspapers Will Soon
Adjust Itself.

President W. B. Prescott of the Interna-
tional Typographical Union, returned to this
city yesterday from Chicago, where he has
been for several days attending to the de-
tails Of the strike Of the stereotypers en-
ployed on the newspapers of that city.
AS previously stated in the Journal, Mr..
Prescott's principal mission, under the cir
cumstances governing the present emergen-
cy, was to protect the interests of the Typo
graphical Union Of Chicago. which was in
voluntarily involved with the stereotypers.
In speaking of the matter, Mr.. Prescott said
the action of the stereotypers was, to say
the least, indiscreet. The action of the men
was taken in direct violation of the con-
stitution of the union, from which they ex-
pected to receive moral and material back
ing. In short, to use his own language
They haven't a leg to stand on"
In declaring the strike illegal, the inter-
national body holds the stereotypers to be
without the bounds of recognition, and this
action on the part of the parent organiza-
ton brings to the surface complications
tending to embarrass all concerned. Not
having consulted the Typographical Union
when they decided to strike, the stereotyp-
ers forfeited all rights to its support More
over, when Mr.. Prescott arrived in Chicago,
he succeeded in arranging meeting be-
tween the publishers and the stereotypers,
which was held. The publishers at that
time gave their consent to a proposition
made by President Prescott to arbitrate the
dispute. To this, however, the stereotypers
refused to become party, with the result
all negotiations were declared off. At the
meeting the stereotypers seemingly had
nothing 70 say as to their grievances, all the
advances being made by the publishers. One
of the publishers present said, in speaking to
one of the stereotypers: I'm the first place.
your action in striking is, from the stand
point of your own organization, irregular.
To which the man responded: well, don't
care. we've done it anyhow" The hasty
step taken by the stereotypers has seriously
embarrassed the International Union, as in
spite of the fact of it's declaration of Illegal
ity, it does not wish to encourage the filling
of the vacant places with outside men. The
sole purpose in declaring the attitude of the
international body in the matter was to
stamp with dsapproval the step OF the
stereotypers and then arrange the afIalr,
so the men would return to work ,.
Mr.. Prescott was much averse to discuss
ing this feature of the situation, and after
parrying several questions he was asked
to the application of union men from other
cities?' To which he replied: Il would
rather not talk of that now
Would a man accepting a place on any
of the Chicago papers, in view Of your dec
laration, be classed as a scab?" continued
the interrogation.
perhaps not" answered the president,
'but the situation with me is just this. ANY
of the old men may return to work with
mpunity, but the action of an outside union
man in taking one of the places would be
looked on with disfavor at least. 1t is un-
derstood my action virtually means there Is Is
no strike on in Chicago, No matter how 1t
may appear to the public, ] hold these men
have simply quit work as every man mas
a right to do. Although the whole union is
ner we would if only one man was Interest,"
ed. Many of the old men have returned
and the new men, what few there are or
them, are not giving satisfaction. In ham
ding the numerous editions, skill Is required
and the old men possess 1t. We are SIMPLY
uation will adjust itself without any further
action"
While willing to adjust the matter in all
most any way but a fat backdown, the Chi
cago publishers, according to Mr.. Prescott,
presented a solid front. Some of them We're
of them were more or less content. H. H.
Kohlsaat, of the Tlmes-Herald, in speaking
to Mr. Prescott, said he was satisfied to
have the matter drag on in that way for an
indefinite time, by not printing his paper
he saving money. He said the same
condition of affairs existed In three other
offices in Chicago.
In concluding, Mr.. Prescott said there
was no doubt the trouble would be all over
in the course of q few days, and in any
event the International Union would not
recognize it further, except to protect the
the limits Of justice and the constitution of
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