Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-29
UNION LABOR CALLS HIM AN ADVO-
CATE OF PINkERTONISM.
INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL TO ACT.
RESOLUTIONS NOW BEFORE THAT
BODY FOR ACTION.
MI. Gregory Seems to Have Struck a
Good Sized Snng and Democrat
&c Bosses Are Much Worried
-Resolutions Before
the Council.

The Democratic bosses who had picked
upon Police Commissioner L. l.. Gregory
as a candidate for mayor have become
alarmed at the opposition which has deVel-
oped among the representatives OF organ
liked labor. The laboring men of the city
are largely arrayed against Mr.. Gregory,
It has developed. on account of his action
In foisting Pinkerton Superintendent Val
Inns upon the community as chief Of police.
AT the last meeting of the Industrial Coun-
ell the following resolutions were intro
duced and will be acted upon at the meet
ing to be held one week from tomorrow:
Whereas. Organized labor has during
the past year succeeded in oyerthroWlnS
one OF its enemies Qhe Pinkerton force in
this city; and,
Whereas. The state officials who had
the audacity to force their rule upon us
are still in power; and,
Whereas. These same officials are now
using their pull as state officers to make
one of our political parties nominate the
advocate of Pinkertonism for mayor OF
this city; and,
Whereas. One paper, the Saturday
Truth. is the mouthpiece Of this clique
OF political bandits, and is printed in 6cab
shops; therefore. be it
Resolved. That we. the Industrial
Council. in regular session. the representa-
tives of 1903 law-abiding citizens. con-
denim this sheet for this attempt to foist
this advocate of Pinkertonism upon US"
The resolutions were introduced by John
Hanks, a prominent member of the Indus
trial Council, and immediate action was
only deferred in accordance with the re-
quest of the Typographical union. which
desired TO give the paper mentioned an OPP
portunlty 10 unioniZe its office. There is
no difference of opinion on the question of
the unavailability OF Mr.. Gregory as a can
didate for mayor. James Fitzgerald. form
erly prominent in labor circles, but in less
favor since the settlement of the recent
Armour strike, was the only one who spoke
against the adoption of the resolutions on
their merits. He counseied delay and mod
Grafton.
That the resolutions will be adopted in
seems a foregone conclusion. Even If the
paper referred to settles its difficulties with
the council, Pinkertonism will be unspar-
chances for the nomination. in face Of the
united opposition of organized labor, will
go glimmering.
missioner by Governor Stephens was hailed
by the general public as perhaps one of the
best appointments possible under the sys-
TEN. of government by governors. which
denies to the people of this city any voice
in the conduct of their local affairs. The
people had suffered for so long from the
but the tool of the Democratic gang. and
carried out its behests in the disfranchise-
ment of Republican voters. The people had
seen the police invade the election booths
and at the of some ward heller
of the gang, eject Republican challengers
and in every other way possible TO a cor.
rupt political gang thwart the wishes OF
the people at the polls.
Owsleyism had passed away with the
election Of a Republican legislature l and
stalled; but the Jackson county gang had
found plenty OF ways of overriding the
rights of the people. The police machine
was still in ayisfenra when the change in
commissioners was made.
Mr.. Scarritt had been Intimately identified
%.irh .he sGHrty f His na aneu Sad p %eVef beer bs !
directly connected with any of the thug.
gerry and outlawry by which the gang prof
tied. though the silk stocking officehold
ers did not scruple to accept offices gained
by questionable methods. Altogether, the
general public expected little of Mr.. Scar
position TO build up a political machine
with every inducement to keep in touch
with the party throughout the state,
For all of these reasons the general pub
lie pinned its faith and hope for a clear
and satisfactory administration of the pc
lice department upon Mr.. Gregory anc
identified, at least not prominently, witt
the gang. He was known as a prosperou!
merchant, the son of a pioneer, who wa
mayor of the city in the early days. Hi
appointment was especially pleasing to tn,
laboring element, which was in sympath,
with the free silver Democratic party, thei
as HoW hiiildIl III liz stdte. ile Hdu dk
ways been known as a Democrat in thor
ough touch with the party. and had sub
scribed to platforms that denounced Pink
ertonism with all lustiness.
The revelation, therefore. that Mr.. Greg
Org looked with favor upon a Pinkertol
superintendent for chief of police was lik
a bolt of lightning at Christmas time. Nj
Scarritt's professional connections had al
ways been with corporations. and the com
mon people naturally identified Pinkerton
ism with corporationism. 1t was not sur
prising that Mr.. Scarritt should propos
Mr.. Vallins for chief, but that Mr.. Gregor,
should aid and abet him was astounding
In vain il was pointed out that Nallins wa
not a citizen of the city: that he had beel
practically imported from Chicago.
The appointment evoked a storm of dis
approval. The Democratic press through
out the state assailed the action of tn,
commissioners. Mr.. Gregory. to whom tn,
rank and file of the local Democracy hat
looked for loyalty to party declarations
had combined with Mr.. Scarritt to foist
Pinkerton upon the community and shout
der the responsibility upon the Democrat
Sc party. TIL affair ceased to he a mereI,
local matter. Its Importance to the part,
was felt throughout the state.
Organized labor began n bitter fight upol
the new chief. and the supreme court wa
appealed to. Mr.. Gregory made frequent pill
Erimages to jefferson City to confer wit
Pinkerton chief in the face of the storm O
opposition which the appointment had en-
countered. Threats of calling for the res
ignations of the commissioners We're made
but the commissioners were let down cas-
by the decision Of the supreme court.
HnbnIVnr HInv llfnnH