The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-12-21
THE COMING REVOLUTION.

Uprising of Labor Jan. 1st.
In the Minneapolis Journal (Rep.) of
Dec 8, we find the following extraordi-
nary article:
WASHINGTON. Dec. s.-The probabilities
arc that the meeting of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor in Detroit next week will
be the most important labor congress ever
held In the country. coming as it prob
ably will on the heels Of what promises to
be the greatest labor uprising OF the
century this side of the Atlantic. Labor
men in this city tacitly admit that the
Eastern stories are true, which indicates
series of national strikes by Jan. Is in
volving practically all OF the building
trades and marking the beginning OF a
life and death struggle between union la
Dor in its present form Of organization
and the master builders everywhere In
Chicago where the labor trouble in build
months, it seems likely the new year will
witness the beginning Of a struggle which
will involve the whole country.
Important conferences have been held
several times with a view Of obviating, IL
possible, clash between the classes en-
ployers and employees. Other conferences
are to be held. but as yet nothing has
come Of 1t to effect an amicable settle
ment. Unless settlement Is effected
satisfactory to both sides, there appears to
be no alternative for the labor unions but
to order a general strike, unless such step
is forestalled by a general lockout.
The unions will not give up, SO their
leaders say, without making fight, and
the fight, which it is feared will be pre-
ciptated with the opening of the new year.
is expected to be the most PROLONGED and
bitter on record.
In the mining district of Pennsylvania
trouble is brewing. John Fahy. president
OF the United Mine Workers of America,
has called meeting of officials of that
association ~at Shamokin tonight. From
New York today comes this dispatch
Representative labor men unite in declar-
ing that the labor unions of the country as
whole were never better prepared than at
present to combat any hostile demonstration
against them on the part of employers At
the convention of the Central Federation of
Labor which opens next Monday at Detroit,
steps are to be taken to repel any attempt
to destroy unions.
Local labor men still believe 1t unlikely
that any attempt in that direction will be
tried in this city, but they say in the West,
where the feeling is much stronger. and
non union labor more dificult to obtain,
there is every likelihood Of an early combat
between employers and employees. Every
class of labor would be drawn into the
fight on the ground that what hits one is
the concern OF all. On this basis the East
ern unions would render financial assis-
lance to the Western men, besides helping
them in other ways.
Humes MacGrotty, the labor leader con-
nected with the miscellaneous section of
the Federation Of Labor says the proposed
attack OF Western men on union labor will
be considered at the next meeting. Mr..
MacGrotty admitted that the labor men
received notification of the stand taken by
Chicago builders and that the situation
there was serious. He said he believed the
movement might spread to New York, and
If so. 1t would extend all over the country.
and maybe to England.
w. w. JERMANE
II this story is true the presidential
election year Of 1900 is going to be one
of the pivotal years of the centuries
The workingman plus the school
house will be very difficult thing for
rascallity to manage.
Stand by the Peoples party and let
the mOlasses run. Id